Temperature acceleration in cold oral stimulation.

This study measured the temperature acceleration of a cold probe as it contacts human tissue. Both the effects of touching a cold probe to the oral cavity were investigated. The results indicated a rapid warming pattern. This warming is effected first by temperature changes resulting from the probe being moved from ice into room temperature and second by the contact to oral mucosa. In fact, in some cases, the probe had reached minimal cold sensation levels by the time it reached the oral cavity. Results also indicated that 6 sec after the probe is lifted from the ice, the temperature closely approximates temperatures perceived as warm or at least neutral, but not cold.