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What causes tooth pain and sensitivity to cold food?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am having tooth pain on the left side. I feel sensitivity when I drink anything cold. The pain increases and radiates to the head. I have been facing this issue for several months. The pain was less initially, but it has now increased. It has also happened previously but for a short duration.

Kindly assist.

Answered by Dr. Beryl F

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Beryl F is a Dental Surgeon with nine years of clinical experience. She is an expert in diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity and adjacent structures and tissues, particularly in the maxillofacial area. She completed her BDS from The Tamilnadu Dr. M. G. R. Medical University, Chennai.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The most common cause of dental pain is tooth decay. The tooth has three layers: outer enamel, dentin, and an innermost nerve layer. When decay starts in the enamel layer, it does not show symptoms other than a visible black spot on the tooth. At this stage, a simple tooth filling can be done. But if left untreated, it progresses through the dentin, and when it reaches the nerve layer, it starts to cause pain. This is when a simple filling is insufficient. A root canal treatment and crown procedure will be the only option to save the tooth.

Pain is a signal given out by the body if something is not normal. Yes, the pain will come and go at intervals for the first few times, but when the infection is widespread, it becomes intense and spreads to the neck, ear, temple region, and jaw. It requires dental treatment. Taking painkillers will help control the pain only to some extent. It can only be manually treated by removing the infection. Please visit your dentist and start treatment immediately.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at icliniq.

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Beryl F
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At September 27, 2022
Reviewed At May 11, 2026

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Beryl F is a Dental Surgeon with nine years of clinical experience. She is an expert in diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity and adjacent structures and tissues, particularly in the maxillofacial area. She completed her BDS from The Tamilnadu Dr. M. G. R. Medical University, Chennai.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Beryl F is a Dental Surgeon with nine years of clinical experience. She is an expert in diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity and adjacent structures and tissues, particularly in the maxillofacial area. She completed her BDS from The Tamilnadu Dr. M. G. R. Medical University, Chennai.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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