Why do i get a toothache whenever i eat something cold, like ice cream, or drink a hot beverage? this never used to happen but has been getting worse for a while now. do teeth get more sensitive as we get older?

Your : Your teeth may be feel painful when exposed to very hot or very cold foods or beverages because the dentin is exposed. The top layer of the tooth is called enamel. Enamel does not have a nerve supply, thus the enamel is not causing your tooth pain. The layer of the tooth below the enamel is called dentin. If the dentin is exposed, this can lead to pain with temperature changes because the dentin is sensitive. How can your dentin become more exposed over time? Anything which decreases your enamel can increase dentin exposure. If you grind your teeth, you can wear down enamel. If you drink lots of sodas, the carbonic acid damages the enamel. If you have acid reflux into the mouth, it has a similar result. Brushing your teeth too vigorously can abrade away the enamel. Of course, one of the biggest concerns is if you have dental decay (a cavity). Are any of these possible reasons for the increased sensitivity of your teeth?

I : I have been practicing dentistry for over 30 years and during that time I have yet to find the patient that brushes their teeth enough in any form to wear the enamel away. Other than that the answers dr. Fowler gave you pretty much cover the point. I would however like to add gum recession secondary to periodontal disease as a possible additional cause of the sensitivity.

Rule out : Tooth pain in response to specific stimuli can be due to a few different things. You may have generalized sensitivity due to gingival recession or abrasion (mentioned by others). It is also possible to have cavities that cause pain when eating/drinking cold/hot. If the pain is never spontaneous, there is a good chance that the tooth can be treated. But this type of pain will be different in nature.

Interesting ?: That's an interesting question. All my colleagues gave great answers. Teeth can be more worn, have more fillings, have more cavities, and more recession over time. All might cause more sensitivity. On the other hand, the nerve inside the teeth tends to get smaller over time and that would reduce the chance of sensitivity. Get a thorough and complete dental exam and your dentist can answer your ?

Pulpitis: If you are getting lingering pain to hot and cold stimuli, then you have a pulpitis, or inflamation of the pulp of a tooth. This would necessitate a root canal on the offending tooth. As we get older, we may get more decay, fillings, crowns etc on a tooth. All these cumulative things traumatize the pulp and the result can be a pulpitis.