Why do overly sweet foods make your teeth “hurt”
In: 1202
Actual answer: hydrodynamic theory
Let’s say teeth have 3 layers. The inside layer is pulp, which is like the core of the tooth, containing pulp cells and nerves.
The middle layer of the tooth, surrounding the pulp, is the dentin. The dentin is made up of many tiny tubules containing finger-like projections of the pulp cells. These tubules open into little pores on the tooth surface.
When sugar meets these little tubules, osmosis causes the fluid inside to rush out, stretching the little fingerling projections of the cells, triggering a nerve response.
The outer layer of the tooth is enamel, which is kind of an insulation keeping many stimuli away from these sensitive little tubules. When enamel is damaged or absent, say from a cavity or recession respectively, it no longer present to protect those tubules and they become exposed to stimuli.
Toothpastes like Sensodyne contain potassium nitrate, which plugs up these little tubules and protects them from these outside stimuli.
Source: am dentist
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