If your teeth ache on a cold morning, during a storm or on a flight, you are not imagining it. Weather can trigger tooth pain. The important point is that healthy, well-sealed teeth rarely hurt because of weather alone. More often, a change in temperature or pressure exposes a problem that already exists.
Why do my teeth hurt in cold weather?
Cold air hitting the teeth can cause a sharp, quick pain when the inner layer of the tooth, called dentin, is exposed. Dentin contains tiny channels that lead toward the nerve. Common reasons it becomes exposed include:
- Gum recession that uncovers root surfaces
- Worn enamel from grinding, clenching or acidic drinks
- Small cracks in enamel or around old fillings
- Decay or a failing restoration
Teeth also expand and contract slightly with temperature. Over many years, repeated swings can stress existing cracks and old fillings.
Can changes in air pressure cause a toothache?
Yes. Pain triggered by a change in air pressure, such as flying, scuba diving or driving into the mountains, is called barodontalgia. Pressure changes usually affect teeth that already have an issue: decay under a filling, an inflamed nerve, a recently treated tooth or a sinus problem. If a tooth reliably hurts when you fly, that is a useful clue and worth having examined.
Is it my sinuses or my tooth?
The roots of the upper back teeth sit close to the maxillary sinuses. When sinuses are congested from a cold, allergies or seasonal changes, the pressure can feel like a toothache. Sinus related pain tends to affect several upper teeth at once, worsens when you bend forward and comes with congestion. Pain from a single tooth that is sensitive to cold or biting is more likely to be dental. Read more about allergies, sinuses and your teeth.
What helps weather related tooth sensitivity?
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride for several weeks.
- Brush with a soft brush and gentle pressure to protect the gumline.
- Breathe through your nose outdoors on cold days, or cover your mouth with a scarf.
- Limit frequent acidic drinks that soften enamel.
- Ask about a night guard if you grind or clench.
When should I see a dentist?
Book an evaluation if:
- Sensitivity lingers for more than a few seconds after the cold is gone
- One specific tooth hurts, especially when biting
- The pain continues after the weather changes or your sinuses clear
- A tooth hurts every time you fly
- You notice swelling, a bump on the gum or a bad taste
These can point to a cracked tooth, exposed roots or an inflamed nerve that may need root canal treatment.
Tooth sensitivity care in Palo Alto
Palo Alto Oral Health helps patients from Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos and Stanford find the real cause of tooth sensitivity rather than masking it. A dental exam with the right imaging can usually pinpoint the source. Call (650) 321-9693 or request an appointment at our Middlefield Road office.
Source
American Association of Endodontists: Cracked Teeth
This article provides general education and does not replace an individual examination.
