HomeAnswersDentistrysensitive teethI have extreme sensitivity to cold in the area of oldest filling. Why?

I have extreme sensitivity to cold in the area of oldest filling. Why?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Divya Banu M

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At May 21, 2018
Reviewed AtDecember 14, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I had not been to a dentist in about a decade (I am 30 years old) till five months back. I had not had any problems or noticeable cavities till about a year ago, when a fair few seemed to pop up all at once, a few on the front of my incisors. Now I admit, I had slacked off in adulthood on brushing, just once a day did not floss, and had slacked off even more in the last two years due to extreme depression (a mixture of forgetting and just not caring). But I have now started getting the cavities filled, the ones visible when I smile with the composite resin, the first cavities done this way were filled about two months ago, the most recent about three weeks ago. I noticed some sudden extreme sensitivity to cold in the area of the oldest filling, went to look in the mirror, and I noticed there is the start of a hole in the resin (more of a pit or dent, really, than a true hole, at this point), and also noticed that there is just starting to be the barest hint of degradation in the most recent one. And I would like to know why. Since going back to the dentist, I have started to try to be better about my oral care, I am still not where I am sure any dentist would like me to be, again due to the depression. But I do make sure I brush at least once. I mean the math, to me, just does not seem to add up, even considering the resin likely is not as strong as tooth enamel. If it took literal years for the cavities to even start forming when I was brushing once a day, how is it the resin is breaking down so fast when I am keeping to that schedule, and about half the time actually do what I should be doing (that is brushing twice a day and flossing). Are my dentists just using substandard resin materials, or (is that even a thing that is possible?) I am worried because I have a fair number of cavities left to go, some of them to be filled with the composite resin, and if they are going to break down this fast even with proper or most proper care, I mean, the hell am I supposed to do, just not eat?

Answered by Dr. Divya Banu M

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Do not worry. The reason could be either your enamel is weak or maybe you are chewing or biting hard on those filled surfaces in the front areas of teeth. The composite filling does not have much strength when done in deep caries of back teeth or a larger portion of front teeth. We usually advise patients with composite filling in front tooth edges not to bite there. Can you please send me the image of the areas where you have complaints? And if you had taken depression medicines in the past, it can cause dryness of mouth, which in turn causes caries or cavity (new and progression in old ones). Regarding oral hygiene, more than the quantity of brushing, the brushing method matters as wrong technique will not cleanse plus cause abrasion of teeth leading to sensitivity. Follow bass sulcular method (google it for video), gargle after every meal. Reduce the use of mouthwash as it can cause staining and dry mouth. Take care.

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

Dr. Divya Banu M
Dr. Divya Banu M

Dentistry

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