eli5: Why eating something sweet hurts the teeth more than eating something else?

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When I eat chocolate, it only passes next to my morals and the pain starts. Why?

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3 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Sugar will not make your teeth hurt in any way if you are healthy, and your teeth are sound and undamaged.

If you are eating sweet foods and you feel pain, it’s because of an open connection of your underlying tooth tissue and the free oral space in any given tooth. Mostly in the case of leaking fillings where food and saliva have access or come into contact with the sensitive underlying dentin, you will experience pain.

Eroded teeth and enamel worn teeth will also show sensitivity and pain; think of sensitive tooth necks. Sometimes anatomical issues like deep and profound fissures in permanent molars may cause sensitivity(see photo). In this case, sealing is a treatment option also for the prevention of developing cavities.

Saliva plays a role in the remineralization process of enamel. When having a dry mouth due to medication side effects, dental sensitivity problems may occur more frequently.

Don’t blame the sugar, check your cavities, fillings, and erosions instead.

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