A sudden sharp pain or constant burning sensation often occur when you eat chocolate, sweets or cake. Dentists see many people with sugar sensitivity every day. Whilst mild sensitivity can happen occasionally it shouldn’t be causing any issues. Your teeth shouldn’t be sensitive to sugar and it is a clear indication from the nervous system that something needs to be treated.

Knowing why your teeth are sensitive to sweets you can take action to avoid a costly trip to the dentist.

Why Does Sugar Cause Nerve Pain?

Natural teeth have three layers. The first being hard enamel, then spongy dentin and finally the living center with nerves and blood vessels. Enamel should protect your teeth. When the enamel becomes worn or thin the small channels within the dentin will be exposed to the nerves.

Sugar causes the following:

How Does Osmosis Cause Tooth Pain?

– High levels of sugar cause a strong osmotic pull. This will cause the sugar to pull small amounts of fluid from the dentin channels into your mouth. This will irritate the sensitive nerve endings within your pulp causing a sharp shooting pain.

How Does Acid Affect Your Teeth?

– Bacteria in your mouth feeds off the refined carbohydrates and sugars. When they feed they release acidic by-products which instantly lowers the pH of your mouth. This will soften the remaining enamel.

Can Tooth Decay Cause Pain When Eating Sweets?

Tooth decay is the most common reason for tooth pain when eating sweets. The plaque bacteria will cause acidic by-products which will wear away the enamel. This will cause holes to form in the teeth, known as cavities.

Why Does Direct Contact With Sugar Cause Pain?

– When you have a cavity the enamel has worn away causing a hole in your teeth. This exposes the dentin to the sugars causing strong pain signals to the living pulp.

Why Is Tooth Pain Localized to One Specific Area?

– Cavities are usually felt in one specific tooth. You may feel the food get stuck in the small gaps and feel a sharp pain.

Why Does Tooth Pain Last Longer in Some Cases?

– When the enamel has been damaged at an early stage you will experience short sharp pains. When the bacteria work their way deeper towards the center nerve you will feel pain lasting minutes or even hours.

What Causes Enamel Erosion and Tooth Sensitivity?

Enamel is the strongest tissue in the body however once you lose it you can’t regrow it. Everyday we lose small amounts of enamel due to:

Can Acidic Foods and Drinks Cause Enamel Erosion?

– Drinking fizzy drinks, citrus fruits, energy drinks and sports drinks can cause erosion of the enamel.

Can Hard Brushing Damage Tooth Enamel?

– Brushing too hard or using a hard bristled brush will cause erosion of the enamel.

Can Gastric Issues Cause Enamel Erosion?

– If you suffer from chronic GERD or frequent vomiting you will be experiencing strong stomach acids being washed over your teeth causing erosion.

Can Teeth Grinding Damage Enamel?

– When you clench or grind your teeth at night it will cause the enamel to get crushed causing small cracks.

Why Do Exposed Tooth Roots Cause Sensitivity to Sweets?

The roots of your teeth do not have enamel covering them. They have a thin layer of tissue known as cementum. Normally your gums will cover your roots.

Can Periodontal Disease Expose Tooth Roots?

– Bacterial infections will cause your gums to inflame and loosen. This will expose the roots.

Why Do Exposed Roots Become Sensitive to Sugar?

  • As there is no protection on the roots the cementum will not protect them from the pressure changes. The dissolved sugars will hit the dentin causing instant pain along the gum line.

  • Natural aging can cause your gums to recede slightly causing larger areas of sensitivity.

Can Leaky Fillings and Cracks Cause Tooth Sensitivity?

Fillings, crowns and bonding will not last forever. They will start to degrade under the chewing forces. They will expand and contract with the temperature changes.

How Do Leaky Fillings Cause Tooth Pain?

– Over time the seal between the filling and your tooth will break down causing gaps. This will cause the liquid sugar and bacteria to get underneath.

Why Do Cracked Teeth Hurt After Eating Sweets?

– Small cracks will appear in the teeth. When you bite down they will open slightly. The sugary liquid will seep deep into the cracks causing irritation to the nerve endings.

What Are the Telltale Signs of Tooth Sensitivity Severity?

Pay attention to how much pain you are feeling.

What Does Short-Lasting Tooth Pain Indicate?

– If you feel a quick sharp pain and it goes away within 5 seconds you are likely to have mild enamel erosion, sensitivity or slight gum exposure.

What Does Long-Lasting Tooth Pain Indicate?

– If you feel pain for 30 seconds or longer after eating sweets you are likely to have some inflammation in your pulp or cavities.

Why Do Cold and Sugary Foods Cause Tooth Pain?

– If you are experiencing pain from cold things such as ice cream and sugary things it is likely you have a large amount of dentin exposure or faulty fillings.

Why Does Your Tooth Hurt When Chewing?

– If you are getting pain when chewing and sensitivity it is likely you have cracks or faulty fillings.

How Can You Treat Tooth Sensitivity After Eating Sweets?

You can avoid experiencing sensitivity to sweets by using the following:

Can Sensitivity Toothpaste Reduce Tooth Pain?

– Using toothpaste with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride will block the nerves. Using this regularly for 2-4 weeks will block the open channels in the dentin.

Does Rinsing With Warm Water Help?

– After eating sweets rinse with warm water to remove any remaining sugar.

Why Shouldn’t You Brush Immediately After Eating Sweets?

– Wait 30-60 minutes before brushing your teeth. The enamel will have softened and needs to harden again using the minerals in your saliva. If you brush straight away you will be brushing away the softened enamel.

Can Fluoride Treatment Help Sensitive Teeth?

– The dentist will apply a high strength fluoride varnish to strengthen the thin enamel and protect the roots.

When Are Fillings, Crowns and Bonding Needed?

– The dentist will replace any leaky fillings. They will also fix any cracks with crowns or seal any open cavities.

When Is a Root Canal Necessary?

– If you have deep decay reaching your nerve the dentist will perform a root canal.

What Are the Top Tips to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity?

  • Use a ultra soft toothbrush.

  • Brush gently in circles along your gums.

  • Floss everyday.

  • Use fluoride mouthwash everyday.

  • Drink plenty of water.

  • If you suffer from teeth grinding wear a night guard.

  • Visit the dentist twice yearly.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Sensitivity to Sweets?

Is Tooth Sensitivity After Eating Sweets an Emergency?

No, occasional sensitivity isn’t an emergency. However if you are experiencing long lasting pain for several minutes visit your dentist. This is a sign that you have active decay or nerve damage which will get worse if left.

Can I Use Sensitivity Toothpaste to Fix a Cavity?

No, sensitivity toothpaste only blocks the nerve and helps remineralise the thin enamel. Cavities need to be cleaned professionally and filled.

Why Do My Back Teeth Hurt More?

Molars have deep grooves and wide contact points. This means food gets stuck easily. Bacteria will grow quickly causing them to be prone to decay.

Does Sugar Ruin Your Teeth?

No, the bacteria in your mouth will eat the remaining sugars causing acidic by products. These will cause the enamel to erode creating cavities.