Why Do My Teeth Hurt To Sweets & Sugar

You may be surprised when you eat a piece of candy or chocolate and feel sensitivity in your tooth. If it keeps happening, you may ask, "why do my teeth hurt to sweets and sugar?" The answer is simple; it is called dentin hypersensitivity. This article will explain dentin hypersensitivity, and what is triggering it, so you may know why your teeth are sensitive to sweets, and what you should do.

What is Dentin Hypersensitivity?

If you removed the enamel from your tooth and looked at the underlying levels of your tooth with a microscope, you would see a surface of tubules. It's like looking at the end of a bundle of PVC pipes. These tubules connect to nerves that ultimately branch from the center nerve in the tooth's pulp chamber. The bigger the diameter and the more tubules there are, the more likely each individual will experience pain when the tubules become exposed. Also, the wider the surface area of exposure to those tubules, the more likely they will cause sensitivity.

These tubules are filled with a fluid, and when the fluid dynamic changes, it sends a sensitivity signal to the nerve connected to it. The dynamic of the fluid can change for a few different reasons. If something touches the exposed tubules, especially cold, it can change the fluid dynamic and cause pain. Acids, like those created from eating sweets, can also cause sensitivity. That is why your teeth hurt to sweets. Eating sugar, chocolates, candy, sweets, or even fruit creates an acidic environment that changes the exposed tubule's fluid dynamic, sending a pain signal to the brain.

Most of the underlying exposed tooth surface is called dentin. That is why this condition is called dentin hypersensitivity. Dentin hypersensitivity is when your tooth becomes sensitive due to the exposure of the dentinal tubules. The question is now what is causing the tubule exposure and dentin hypersensitivity. We will explore the most common causes.

Close up of dentin tubules.

Dentin Tubules Different Sizes and Density causing more Dentin Hypersensitivity

Different densities and diameters of dentinal tubules

Does A Cavity Cause Sensitivity to Sweets?

Now that we understand how dentin hypersensitivity works, you will see that a cavity can trigger it in two ways. First a cavity demineralizes a tooth turning it into a mush that allow substances to flow through it. Read the following link to know exactly how cavities start. Once the decay has progressed past the enamel layer the underlying dentin tubules are then exposed to the acid of sweets. This cavity exposure causes sensitivity to sweets

There is a second factor that also intensifies the sensitivity which is why your teeth hurt to sweets and sugar. You see, the bacteria responsible for tooth decay takes sugar and breaks it down into acids. That is how sweets demineralize your teeth for a cavity. The more decay you have the more of that bacteria you will also have, which will create more acids. More acid means you are more likely to have an intense pain response.

An important note is that not all cavities cause pain to sweets. In fact, not many do so it only increases the chances. Remember the pain response depends on the makeup of your dentinal tubules.

Dentist points to mouth full of cavities

Does A Filling Cause Sensitivity to Sweets?

Now that we understand how dentin hypersensitivity works, it may be obvious how a filling may trigger sweet sensitivity. Most fillings require drilling past the enamel layer down the underlying dentin layer. This slot will initially expose a lot of dentinal tubules. Luckily we can fill the space we made in the tooth, covering the exposed tubules once again. However, sometimes fillings don't sufficiently seal off the underlying tooth. Acid from sweets then leaks beneath the filling, causing sensitivity.

If the filling is causing sweet sensitivity, the filling will likely need to be redone or at least repaired to stop the leakage. Leakage is always possible but not expected if the filling is done well. Click on the following link to see how to perform a filling optimally.

Healthy Color and Appearance of Dentin and Tooth Decay Free

Does A Worn-Down Tooth Cause Sensitivity To Sweets?

A worn-down tooth will cause sensitivity to sweet if the wear has removed enough of the enamel layer to expose the underlying dentin layer. However, as noted earlier, not every tooth with exposed dentin will have pain to sweets; instead, it will only happen to teeth at risk for dentin hypersensitivity.

Worn-down teeth can have fillings or crowns done to restore the teeth and eliminate the sensitivity. It may be beneficial to also try anti-sensitivity toothpaste for a few weeks as well.

Worn-down Teeth from Bruxism Clenching and Grinding

Does A Cracked Tooth Cause Sensitivity To Sweets?

A cracked tooth will cause sensitivity to sweets if the crack has progressed far enough and is wide enough to expose the underlying dentin layer. However, as noted earlier, not every tooth with exposed dentin will have pain to sweets; instead, it will only happen to teeth at risk for dentin hypersensitivity.

Cracked and fractured teeth can have fillings or crowns done to restore the teeth and eliminate the sensitivity. It may be beneficial to also try anti-sensitivity toothpaste for a few weeks as well.

Does Gum Recession Cause Sensitivity To Sweets?

Gum recession is a common cause of dentin hypersensitivity because the roots of the teeth become exposed as the gums migrate downward. The roots of the teeth are not made of enamel and many of the underlying tubules become exposed with gum recession. However, as noted earlier, not every tooth with gum recession will have pain to sweets; instead, it will only happen to teeth at risk for dentin hypersensitivity.

Teeth with gum recession can have fillings or crowns done to restore the teeth and eliminate the sensitivity. It may be beneficial to also try anti-sensitivity toothpaste for a few weeks for sensitivity relief.

Tooth root notch from gingival recession

Does Gum Disease Cause My Teeth To Hurt To Sweets?

Gum disease, like gum recession, is a common cause of dentin hypersensitivity because the roots of the teeth become exposed as bacteria eat at the ligaments that hold the tooth in place. The roots of the teeth are not made of enamel and many of the underlying tubules become exposed once the ligaments are lost. However, as noted earlier, not every tooth with gum disease will have pain to sweets; instead, it will only happen to teeth at risk for dentin hypersensitivity.

It should also be noted that some bacteria in gum disease can also convert sugars, sweets, and candy to acids increasing the intensity and likelihood of sensitivity.

Teeth with gum disease will need a deep cleaning and may need a filling to eliminate the pain. It may be beneficial to also try anti-sensitivity toothpaste for a few weeks for sensitivity relief.

Thus we see, dentin hypersensitivity caused by cavities, fillings, tooth wear, gum recession, gum disease, and fractures all cause your teeth to hurt to sweets and sugars.