Do you feel a sudden sting or ache in your teeth when enjoying something sweet? That discomfort may be a sign of tooth sensitivity to sugar if you have a sweet tooth.

A sweet tooth is fond of sugary treats, candies, and desserts, which, unfortunately, are more often combined with tooth caries, sensitivity, toothache, and gingival inflammation.
This has a high incidence with children who like to eat sweets and candies, and most adults who have given in to their sweet tooth, even though they are brushing their teeth.

Now, another logical question you must be asking: Why do my teeth hurt when eating sweets?

How Does Sugar Affect Your Teeth?

When you eat sweets, sugar particles stick to the surface of your teeth. The natural bacteria in your mouth, which are found in the plaque layer, feed on this sugar and produce acids as a byproduct. 

Over time, this acid begins to attack your tooth enamel, the protective outer layer, causing it to weaken and wear down.

Once the enamel is compromised, the sensitive inner layers of your tooth, dentin, become exposed, allowing sugar and other substances to reach the nerves inside the tooth. That’s when you feel pain or sensitivity.

What Causes Teeth Sensitivity To Sugar?

Although sugary treats and drinks can be delicious, Tooth sensitivity to sugar can develop due to several causes, such as:

1. Worn enamel: The enamel is the outer layer that keeps the tooth strong and healthy. This layer has no nerves, so as long as it is present, you feel no pain, as it plays the protector role.
   This layer could be worn due to many reasons, such as brushing your teeth too hard, acidic foods, or teeth grinding, which leaves the second inner layer, which has the nerve endings exposed and sensitive.
2. Tooth decay or cavities could also expose the inner layers and cause sensitivity 
3. Gum recession: exposing the tooth roots, which are not designed to be exposed to the oral cavity, as it is more porous and sensitive
4. Cracked or chipped teeth: this could make a route for the acids and fluids to the inner layers to cause sensitivity and pain,
5. Old or loose dental fillings, which could have a gap, leave an open, unprotected way to the tooth
6. Whitening treatments may cause temporary sensitivity as the bleaching could wear away tiny particles from the enamel layer.
7. Age: Teeth sensitivity is highest between the ages of 25 and 30.
8. Plaque buildup: The presence of plaque on the root surfaces can cause sensitivity.
9. Acidic foods: Regular consumption of foods with a high acid content, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, pickles, and tea, can cause enamel erosion.

Sugar Sensitivity Symptoms: How Do Sensitive Teeth Feel?

Now the question is how I could differentiate between the sweet tooth pain and any other pain. Most people who have a sensitivity to sweets may feel: 

• A sharp, sudden pain when eating sweets
• A dull ache or discomfort after consuming sugary foods or drinks
• Increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Pain that’s focused on specific teeth or areas of your mouth

Most of these symptoms will disappear within seconds after the sweets fade from the mouth.

What is Teeth Sensitivity Treatment?

Treatment of teeth sensitivity depends on the severity and the cause of the teeth sensitivity.

It could be simple at home, or you may need the help of one of our specialists at Suave Dental Clinic. 

• Desensitizing toothpaste: it contains some formulas to block pain signals.
• Fluoride treatments: as the fluoride could strengthen enamel, which is the outer protective layer of the tooth 
• Dental sealants or bonding: to protect and seal exposed areas of tooth roots, on gingival recession, or at older ages.
• Dental Fillings, inlays, or dental crowns for damaged or decayed teeth as a sequence of removing the tooth layers to restore the damaged tooth with a dental filling.
• Root canal treatment is required for severe cases where the tooth nerves are exposed due to severe caries or severe inflammation.

If you have experienced this feeling before, no matter what your age, Sauve Clinic offers to book you a free consultation with our professional dental team.

Early diagnosis and regular check-ups are preventive procedures against tooth cavities and gum diseases. Don’t ignore your sweet tooth take advantage of our offers and packages, and get your teeth treated at the Sauve clinic at affordable prices.

How do you stop your teeth from hurting when eating sweets?

Some daily tips will help you decrease your sensitivity to sweets: 

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently. This will result in less toothbrush abrasion to the tooth surface 
• Switch to toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. There are several brands of toothpaste for sensitive teeth. With regular use, you should notice a decrease in sensitivity.
• Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
• Rinse your mouth with water after eating sweets
• Floss daily to remove plaque and sugar between teeth
• Avoid highly acidic foods and beverages, which cause enamel erosion.
• The use of a fluoridated mouth rinse can decrease sensitivity.

When to Visit The Dentist?

You have to see your dentist regularly, but you need to schedule an immediate appointment if: 

• You have teeth sensitive to Cold, Heat, and Sweets.
• Your tooth pain persists or worsens over time.
• If your sensitivity is accompanied by visible damage or discoloration or interferes with your daily life or eating habits
• If your pain doesn’t improve with at-home care.
• If you felt spontaneous pain

Then it’s time to see our dentists at Sauve Clinic. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent bigger problems and bring you lasting relief.

What if I did nothing to my sweet tooth?

If you ignore the pain of a sweet tooth with painkillers, over time, pain may or may not subside, the cause of pulp irritation – bacterial acids- is not eliminated, and soon the inner layer of the tooth becomes dissolved by acids, fragile, and broken, causing cavitation and pulp inflammation.

The treatment procedure gets complicated as sticking to a sweet-free diet and simple daily brushing won’t fix the decayed tooth anymore, A pulp therapy and dental filling are needed by an expert dentist.