Why Your Sweet Tooth Is a Pain In the Jaw

You did not think you had any cavities, or at least not any worth worrying about. Suddenly, every time you eat or drink something sweet, you feel pain. You may not see the signs of decay, but the pain in your tooth tells you it is there. Why do sweets bother that worrisome tooth?

Growing Sensitivity

Your teeth can become sensitive to sweets. When the enamel is eroded or worn away, the more sensitive layer beneath, the dentin, becomes exposed. This can cause the tooth to become sensitive to sweets. Tooth enamel can be lost in many ways.

Brushing your teeth too aggressively with a hard toothbrush can damage the enamel. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can also wear down the enamel. If a tooth is broken or cracked, sensitivity can develop. Highly acidic foods can also wear away tooth enamel.

Whitening your teeth can create a dazzling smile. It can also cause temporary sensitivity to sugar. Fortunately, the sensitivity caused by teeth whitening products usually fades after a few days.

Sugar in its many forms wreaks havoc on tooth enamel. Harmful bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugars provided by foods and soft drinks. They produce acids that slowly dissolve the enamel and create cavities. This is by far the most common way in which tooth sensitivity occurs.

Sensitivity Prevention

Ideally, cutting down on sugary foods and beverages will be at the top of your list of ways to prevent tooth sensitivity. For the individual with a hard-core sweet tooth, this may be asking a lot; still, there are steps you can take to reduce sensitivity to sweets.

The main thing you need to do is prevent loss of tooth enamel. If you know you grind your teeth while sleeping, talk to your dentist about getting a mouthguard to prevent grinding. Choose a soft bristled toothbrush and do not brush your teeth too hard. Many dentists recommend using an electric toothbrush to help ensure the proper amount of pressure is applied – not too much and not too little.

There are toothpastes on the market that are designed to help protect against sensitivity. Look for toothpaste that includes stannous fluoride. This substance has been proven to protect teeth from sensitivity.

When you have serious tooth pain, you could be suffering from an abscessed tooth. For such pain, contact Emergency Dentistry in Sacramento. We are here seven days a week to help eliminate your toothache pain.