If you’re teeth hurt when eating sweets, then you’re not alone. Tooth pain is triggered by the consumption of some specific foods, mostly sticky sweets. At times, this pain is transitional, while for others, it can last for a long time. Tooth hurting on eating sweets is a sign of an underlying dental problem that needs treatment. In this article, you will understand why sugar-containing foods trigger tooth pain and how to treat and prevent it.
Why Does Sugar Hurt The Teeth?
Teeth hurt when eating sweets due to tooth sensitivity, caries, or when the sugar acts on the bacteria in the oral cavity and produces acid. The acid wears down the hard outer layer of teeth called enamel, leading to increased sensitivity and pain. The damage lies deep within the dentin or even in the dental pulp.
The following are the common causes of tooth pain related to sweets:
1. Tooth Sensitivity (Dentin Hypersensitivity)
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel protecting the layer of dentin becomes thin or erodes. Dentin consists of tiny tubules that enter nerve endings in the tooth. When sweets that act as triggers contact the exposed dentin, they can irritate the nerves, causing pain.
2. Tooth Decay
When sugar interacts with the bacteria in your mouth, it creates acid that can erode the enamel and dentin. Cavities can create openings in the teeth that expose the nerves, making them sensitive to sweet foods.
3. Gum Recession
Gum recedes when the gum pulls away from the teeth, and exposes the roots. They don’t have any protective layer of enamel. This exposed root causes sensitivity and pain when it contacts sweets. Gum recedes due to gum disease, brushing aggressively, and aging.
4. Cracked or Damaged Teeth
A cracked/chipped tooth permits the passage of sweets, liquids, and bacteria into the inner layers of the tooth, near the nerves. This causes sharp pain while consuming sugary foods.
5. Past Dental Treatment
Recently done dental treatment fillings or crowns cause temporary sensitivity or cause your teeth to hurt when eating sweets.
Treating Tooth Pain Caused by Sweets
If the consumption of sugar hurts your teeth, the first step is to determine the underlying cause. Visit your dentist for a dental examination, diagnosis, and proper treatment. However, there are at-home measures along with professional help that can manage and reduce tooth pain.
1. Use Desensitizing Toothpaste
Desensitizing toothpaste is specially made to reduce dentinal sensitivity. The mechanism of action by which the toothpastes act is by blocking the nerve pathways. The toothpaste should contain potassium nitrate, or stannous fluoride, to strengthen and protect tooth enamel.
2. Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens enamel and reduces sensitivity. Dentists recommend fluoride to strengthen weakened enamel, making teeth more resistant to the acids released by sugar-containing foods and bacteria in the mouth. Use fluoride-containing mouthwash or toothpaste.
3. Sealants and Bonding Agents
Teeth that are highly sensitive to sweets may need application of the dental sealants or bonding agents to deep pits. The protective coatings seal the sensitive dentin. This prevents sweets from entering the sensitive part of the tooth.
4. Gum Grafting
The dentist may recommend gum grafting treatments if tooth pain is due to gum recession. Grafting is a procedure of using tissue from one part of the mouth to cover the exposed roots. This reduces the sensitivity of the teeth.
5. Treating Dental Decay
If the tooth pain is due to caries, the dentist will drill the decayed part of the tooth and fill it with composite resin, amalgam, or porcelain. Treating the cavities at the earliest prevents the reach of decay to the inner layers of the tooth, followed by serious problems like infections or abscesses.
6. Repair of Cracked or Damaged Teeth
If pain occurs due to cracked or chipped teeth the dentist may recommend treatments like bonding, dental crown, or root canal treatment according to the damage incurred by the tooth. Treatment of the damaged tooth will protect it from complicated treatments and reduce sensitivity.
7. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent tooth caries and sensitivity. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste and use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque lodged between your teeth to reduce the risk of caries and gum infections.
8. Avoid Acidic Foods and Beverages
Acidic foods, beverages, citrus fruits, soda, and wine erode tooth enamel. Limit intake of the substance to prevent enamel loss and reduce sensitivity.
9. Use a Mouthguard if You Grind Your Teeth
Tooth grinding or bruxism, wears down the enamel, exposes the dentin and the teeth become sensitive. It is advisable to wear a custom mouthguard at night to protect teeth from the ill effects of grinding.
Preventing Future Tooth Pain from Sweets
While treatment of the pain is necessary, prevention of tooth pain is equally important. Here are tips to protect your teeth from pain:
1. Limit Sugar Intake
Reduce the consumption of sugar-containing foods and drinks to reduce the exposure of teeth to acids and bacteria.
2. Drink Water After Eating Sweets
Water clears the sugar and acid from the teeth’ surface, reducing the chance of caries and sensitivity. After eating sweets, swish water in the oral cavity to neutralize acids and promote saliva formation.
3. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum post-meals increase saliva flow, and neutralize acid. Chewing gums containing xylitol, a sugar substitute, reduces the bacterial load in your mouth.
4. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Regular dental check-ups identify and treat problems before they get serious. Dentists offer professional cleanings and fluoride treatments to strengthen teeth and reduce sensitivity.
Conclusion
If your teeth hurt when eating sweets, it can be addressed with the proper care and treatment. For problems arising due to sensitivity, caries, or gum recession, diagnose the cause of the problems and get appropriate treatment from your dentist. With good oral hygiene habits and prevention, you can reduce the risk of tooth pain and cosmetic dentists can help you maintain a healthy smile for years.
Don’t let tooth pain from sweets hold you back! Schedule an appointment with our experienced dental team at Dental On First today to get a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan to reduce sensitivity and protect your teeth from further damage.
Alternatively, you can call us at 952-758-3003.
Or visit us at 136 Main St. West New Prague, MN 56071.