Teeth Sensitive to Sugar: Causes, Remedies and Prevention

Do you feel a sharp pain in your teeth when you eat sweets or drink sugary beverages? If so, you may have `teeth sensitive to sugar`. It is a common dental problem that affects many people, especially those who consume a lot of sugar. This article will explain what causes teeth sensitivity to sugar, how to treat it, and how to prevent it from happening again.

What is Teeth Sensitivity?

Teeth sensitivity is a condition where the nerves inside the teeth become irritated by certain stimuli, such as hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks. It can cause sudden, sharp pain or discomfort lasting a few seconds or minutes.

Teeth sensitivity can affect one tooth, several teeth, or all of them. It can also come and go, depending on the triggers and the condition of the teeth. Although teeth sensitivity is not a severe health issue, it can affect your quality of life and make you avoid certain foods and drinks you enjoy.

Dentin Hypersensitivity

The most common cause of teeth sensitivity to sugar is `dentin hypersensitivity`. Dentin is the tissue layer under the enamel, the tooth’s hard outer layer. It contains tiny tubules connecting to the nerves inside the pulp, the tooth’s soft core.

When the enamel is intact, it protects the dentin from external stimuli. However, when the enamel is worn away or damaged by brushing too hard, it exposes the dentin. It allows sugar and other substances to reach the nerves inside the tooth, causing a painful sensation.

Dentin hypersensitivity can affect anyone, but it is more common in people with thin or weak enamel, such as those with genetic conditions, ageing teeth, or eating disorders.

Why Does Sugar Hurt My Teeth?

Sugar hurts your teeth because it is acidic and can erode your enamel and dentin. Additionally, sugar feeds the harmful bacteria in your mouth, generating more acids that erode your teeth.

When you eat or drink something sweet, the sugar mixes with your saliva and forms a sticky film called plaque. Plaque attracts germs that eat sugar and adheres to your teeth and gums. The bacteria then produce acids that dissolve the minerals in your enamel and dentin, making them weaker and more prone to sensitivity.

The more sugar you consume, the more plaque and acid you produce. If you do not remove plaque regularly by brushing and flossing your teeth, it can harden into tartar, a yellowish substance that forms along the gum line.

Causes of Teeth Sensitivity to Sugar

Many factors can cause or contribute to teeth’ sensitivity to sugar.

Some of them are:

Incorrect Brushing

Brushing your teeth with force can damage your enamel and expose your dentin. Brushing too soon after eating or drinking something acidic can also damage your enamel by pushing the acid deeper into your teeth.

Mouth Trauma

Injuries to your mouth, such as chipped or cracked teeth, broken fillings, or dental procedures, can expose your dentin and make your teeth more sensitive to sugar and other stimuli.

Poor Diet or Poor Eating Habits

Your enamel and dentin can dissolve over time if you consume too much sugar or acidic meals and beverages. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, vinegar, wine, soda, coffee, tea, and sports drinks are some of the acidic meals and beverages.

Eating or drinking sugary foods and drinks increases your risk of developing teeth sensitivity to sugar. It is because you do not give your saliva enough time to neutralize the acids in your mouth and restore the minerals in your enamel.

Tooth Enamel Erosion

Tooth enamel erosion is a gradual loss of enamel due to exposure to acids from foods, drinks, or stomach acid (such as in cases of acid reflux or bulimia). Tooth enamel erosion can make teeth thinner, weaker, translucent, yellowish, and sensitive to sugar and other stimuli.

Receding Gums

When the gums separate from the teeth and expose the dental roots, it is called receding gums. Your teeth’s roots do not have enamel to shield them from outside influences. They are covered by a thin layer of tissue called cementum, which can wear away quickly and expose the dentin underneath.

Remedies for Sensitive Teeth

If you have teeth sensitive to sugar, there are some remedies that you can try at home to relieve the pain and discomfort.

Some of them are:

• Rinse your mouth with warm or salt water after eating or drinking something sweet or acidic. It can help wash away the sugar and acid from your teeth and reduce irritation.
• Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candies. It can stimulate your saliva production, help neutralize the acids in your mouth, and remineralize your enamel.
• Apply a desensitizing toothpaste or gel to your teeth. Desensitizing toothpaste or gels contain ingredients such as potassium nitrate or fluoride that can block the transmission of pain signals from the nerves in your teeth to your brain.
• Use a fluoride mouthwash or rinse. Fluoride can strengthen your enamel and dentin and make them more resistant to sensitivity and decay.
• Refrain from brushing your teeth too vigorously or too soon after consuming anything sweet or acidic. To brush your teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle circular motions.
• Before brushing your teeth, wait at least 30 minutes after consuming something sweet or acidic to allow your saliva to neutralize the acids and restore the minerals in your enamel.
• Avoid eating or drinking too much sugar or acidic foods and drinks. Limit your intake of sweets, other foods, and drinks that can erode your enamel and dentin.
• Drink water or milk after eating or drinking something sweet or acidic. Water can help rinse the sugar and acid from your teeth and dilute their effects. Milk can help neutralize the acids in your mouth and provide calcium.

Preventing Teeth Sensitivity to Sugar

The best way to prevent teeth’ sensitivity to sugar is to protect your enamel and dentin from damage and erosion.

You can do this by following these tips:

Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

A soft-bristled toothbrush can gently clean your teeth without removing your enamel or irritating your gums. Replace your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles become frayed.

Use a Toothpaste Designed to Protect against Teeth Sensitivity

There are many toothpastes available that are specially formulated to protect against teeth sensitivity. They contain ingredients such as potassium nitrate, fluoride, strontium chloride, or arginine that can block the pain signals from the nerves in your teeth.

Don’t Brush Too Hard

Brushing too vigorously can harm dentin and enamel, making them more susceptible to stimuli like sugar. To brush your teeth, use moderate circular motions rather than back and forth.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Your dentist can check your teeth for signs of damage, decay, or gum disease that may cause sensitivity. They can also provide professional cleaning or root canal treatment to repair problems and protect your teeth from further damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are my teeth suddenly sensitive to sugar?

If your teeth are suddenly sensitive to sugar, it may be because you have a new or worsening dental problem that has exposed your dentin or nerves to external stimuli.

Some possible causes are:

• A new cavity or a broken filling that has created a hole in your tooth
• A cracked or chipped tooth that has exposed the dentin or pulp
• A recent dental procedure, such as a filling, crown, or root canal that has irritated the nerves in your tooth
• A gum infection or recession that has exposed the roots of your teeth

How do you fix sugar-sensitive teeth?

The best way to fix sugar-sensitive teeth is to address the underlying cause of the sensitivity and protect your enamel and dentin from further damage. Your dentist may suggest one or more of the following procedures, depending on the root reason and degree of your sensitivity:

• Desensitizing toothpaste, gel, or rinse
• Fluoride treatment
• Dental sealant
• Dental filling
• Dental bonding
• Dental crown
• Root canal therapy 

Can you have teeth sensitivity to sugar?

Yes, you can have teeth sensitivity to sugar if you have damaged or eroded enamel and dentin that expose the nerves inside your teeth to external stimuli. Sugar is acidic and can irritate the nerves in your teeth, causing pain or discomfort.

Conclusion

Teeth sensitivity to sugar is a common dental problem affecting anyone who consumes too much sugar. It can cause sharp discomfort in your teeth when you eat sweets or drink sugary beverages.

The best way to prevent teeth sensitivity to sugar is to protect your enamel and dentin from damage and erosion by following good oral hygiene habits. If you have teeth sensitive to sugar, you should see your dentist.

Teeth sensitivity to sugar is not a severe health issue, but it can affect your quality of life and indicate that your teeth are damaged or decayed. You can enjoy sweet treats without pain by caring for your teeth and avoiding triggers.

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