You take a sip of hot coffee or bite into something cold and suddenly feel a sharp pain shoot through one of your teeth. Sometimes the discomfort disappears almost immediately. Other times, the pain continues long after you've stopped eating or drinking.
So, when is tooth sensitivity normal—and when could it be a dental emergency?
Occasional sensitivity can have relatively minor causes, but sudden, severe, or lingering sensitivity can also indicate tooth decay, a damaged filling, a cracked tooth, or an infection inside the tooth.
If your sensitivity has suddenly appeared or is getting worse, it's worth having the tooth examined.
Why Are My Teeth Suddenly Sensitive?
Your teeth have several layers. The hard outer enamel protects the more sensitive structures underneath.
When enamel becomes worn, gums recede, or a tooth becomes damaged, hot and cold temperatures can reach the more sensitive portions of the tooth.
Common causes of tooth sensitivity include:
- Tooth decay
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Worn tooth enamel
- Gum recession
- Exposed tooth roots
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- A loose or damaged filling
- A damaged dental crown
- Recent dental treatment
- Infection inside a tooth
The type of sensitivity you're experiencing—and particularly how long the pain lasts—can provide important clues about what's happening.
Is Brief Sensitivity to Cold an Emergency?
Not necessarily.
If you feel a quick "zing" when drinking something cold and the sensation disappears within a few seconds, the cause could be exposed dentin, mild gum recession, enamel wear, or another relatively minor problem.
That doesn't mean you should ignore it indefinitely.
New sensitivity should still be mentioned to your dentist, especially if it consistently affects the same tooth.
However, sensitivity becomes more concerning when the pain is severe, happens without an obvious trigger, or continues after the hot or cold food has been removed.
What Does Lingering Hot or Cold Sensitivity Mean?
Pay particular attention to pain that lingers after the temperature is gone.
For example, you drink something cold, put the glass down, and the tooth continues aching or throbbing.
That may indicate inflammation or damage involving the pulp inside your tooth.
The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. If deep decay, a crack, or another dental problem reaches this area, the nerve can become inflamed or infected.
At that point, you may need more than treatment for sensitive teeth.
An emergency root canal may sometimes be necessary to remove infected or severely inflamed tissue and preserve the natural tooth.
Could a Cavity Cause Temperature Sensitivity?
Yes.
A cavity can gradually remove the protective layers of your tooth.
Small cavities don't always hurt. As decay moves deeper into the tooth, however, you may begin experiencing sensitivity to:
- Cold drinks
- Hot coffee or tea
- Sweet foods
- Pressure when biting
Eventually, the tooth may begin hurting without any trigger at all.
This is why it's important not to wait for a cavity to become extremely painful before having it evaluated.
What If My Filling or Crown Is Causing Sensitivity?
A filling or crown that has become damaged or loose can expose sensitive portions of your tooth.
You may suddenly notice that a tooth that hasn't bothered you in years now hurts when you drink something cold.
If you think a restoration has become damaged, Portland Emergency Dentist provides treatment for a lost filling or dental crown.
Don't continue chewing normally on a tooth with a missing filling or loose crown. The exposed tooth may be more vulnerable to additional damage.
Could My Tooth Be Cracked?
Cracks can sometimes cause unusual symptoms.
You may experience sensitivity to temperature along with sharp pain when biting down or when releasing your bite.
Some cracks are obvious, while others can be extremely difficult to see.
A tooth can also crack after:
- Biting hard candy
- Chewing ice
- Biting a popcorn kernel
- Grinding your teeth
- Trauma to your mouth
- Years of wear
- Large fillings weakening the remaining tooth structure
If part of the tooth actually breaks or chips, our Portland emergency dentists also provide chipped and broken tooth treatment.
When Should I Call an Emergency Dentist in Portland?
If you occasionally experience mild sensitivity that disappears immediately, mention it during your next dental visit.
But if a tooth suddenly becomes extremely sensitive, continues hurting after hot or cold foods, hurts when you bite, or develops swelling, schedule an examination.
The problem could be something relatively simple to repair. It could also be the first warning sign of an infection or damage inside the tooth.
Portland Emergency Dentist offers same-day appointments for urgent dental problems in Portland. If you're experiencing significant tooth sensitivity or pain, getting the tooth checked now may help prevent a minor dental problem from becoming a much bigger one.