Why do my teeth hurt when I eat ice cream?
The important thing to prevent these annoying pains is to maintain good oral hygiene, in addition to opting for a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables.
During the summer, slushies, ice cream, and milkshakes creep onto our menus, but so do the annoying punctures that betray tooth sensitivity. Why does this happen?
Stomatologist and orthodontist Dr. Marcó points to several causes, such as the excessive use of teeth whitening products without professional supervision, which can damage the enamel and leave teeth more exposed. Added to this is poor oral hygiene, which promotes gum recession and diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Other factors that also come into play are bruxism—the involuntary act of clenching the teeth, especially at night—oral trauma, or even overly aggressive brushing, which can wear down the enamel or cause invisible microfractures that lead to hypersensitivity. Furthermore, diet plays a more important role than we usually give it credit for. "Foods rich in sugar, acidic foods, or very spicy foods increase the risk of tooth sensitivity," warns the specialist.
The most important thing to prevent these annoying summer pains is to maintain good oral hygiene, with soft or medium bristle brushes, in addition to opting for a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables.
Now, if we have already noticed oral pain, if it is very occasional, we should not worry, although we should notify it at our next dental checkup. If the pain is persistent and continuous, we should go to a specialist, it could indicate a bigger problem.
