Why Are My Teeth Sensitive to Sugar?

1. Fix the Problem, Don't Avoid the Trigger
2. What's Sugar Sensitivity?
3. How Does Eating Sweets Make Your Teeth Hurt?
4. Reasons for Loss of Enamel
   1. Dry Mouth
   2. Stress
   3. Medication
5. The Dangers of Sugar on Your Teeth
6. Avoiding Tooth Sensitivity
7. Treatment for Sensitive Teeth
8. Visit Your Dentist At Belvedere Dentistry So You Can Enjoy Your Treats

So you’re at a party, and they’ve got some sugary snacks. What do you do? Like most people with sensitive teeth, you probably grin and bear it.

But why is this the case? And more importantly, how can you stop feeling sensitive to sugar in your mouth forever?

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to protect our pearly whites from further decay.

However, if we want to avoid feeling sensitive to sugar again in the future, we need to understand why we feel sensitive to sugar now. Once we know that answer, we can take preventative steps against tooth sensitivity to reduce the risk of it happening again. So let’s get started!

Fix the Problem, Don't Avoid the Trigger

It’s important to note that tooth sensitivity is not an infection and is not caused by bacteria. Therefore, you can’t treat it by simply taking prescription medicines. Instead, it’s caused by the erosion of your enamel.

We need to repair the already-lost enamel to protect our teeth from sensitivity. That’s why fixing the problem is more important than avoiding the trigger. Remember that avoiding the loss of enamel is much easier than repairing it.

What's Sugar Sensitivity?

Sugar sensitivity is when your teeth become more susceptible to decay from sugar. The exact reason why it happens has yet to be discovered. It's thought that sugar bacteria in your mouth may cause an infection that affects the nerves in your teeth.

Therefore, sugar sensitivity is best described as an erosion of the enamel on your teeth. For this reason, the enamel is often referred to as "the tooth's shield." Therefore, we're left with sensitive teeth when the enamel is eroded. It’s important to note that sugar sensitivity is not the same as cavities.

It can lead to cavities if it progresses, but it is not a cavity. So, if sugar makes your teeth hurt but you don't have any other signs of tooth decay, you can still enjoy a treat now and then. Just be sure to contact your trusted dentist for dental advice and how to care for your teeth while enjoying your treats.

How Does Eating Sweets Make Your Teeth Hurt?

As we’ve already mentioned, tooth sensitivity is caused by an erosion of the enamel on your teeth. When we eat sweets, they increase the acidity in our mouths. Since enamel is a porous material, this acidity seeps through it, decaying it from the inside out.

As the acidity eats away at the enamel, it also starts to eat away at the dentin, the layer beneath it. When the acidity reaches the dentin, it can cause a burning, tingling sensation in the mouth. That’s when you know you’re sensitive to sugar.

Reasons for Loss of Enamel

There are several reasons why enamel could erode and lead to sugar sensitivity. Therefore, it’s important to note that just because you’re sensitive to sugar now doesn’t mean you will be forever. It just means you’re at greater risk of losing more enamel in the future.

If you’re at a higher risk of losing more enamel, you also risk developing cavities and needing to visit a dentist more often. Since everyone’s mouths are different, some people will experience tooth sensitivity earlier than others.

However, a few common factors can lead to loss of enamel and, therefore, tooth sensitivity. These include:

Dry Mouth

If you suffer from dry mouth, your salivary flow may be reduced. When this happens, you don’t have enough saliva to keep your mouth healthy and neutralize the acidity of foods. When the acidity isn’t neutralized, it can eat away at the enamel on your teeth.

Stress

Stress has many adverse effects on our bodies. One of the most common ways it negatively affects the body is by impacting oral hygiene. When we’re stressed out, we’re less likely to brush our teeth as often and floss as regularly. This can lead to tooth decay and, ultimately, loss of enamel.

Medication

Certain medications can cause a reduction in saliva flow, which can lead to tooth sensitivity. Likewise, certain medications can reduce our body's ability to fight off bacteria, ultimately leading to tooth decay. Therefore, visiting your dentist regularly is essential to ensure that any potential tooth sensitivity is caught early.

The Dangers of Sugar on Your Teeth

If you have sensitive teeth due to the erosion of your enamel, you’re at a higher risk of developing cavities. Let’s look at how sugar can lead to tooth decay.

When you eat sugar, it’s broken down into two components: glucose and fructose.

Glucose is harmless. It serves as the primary source of energy our body uses from the food we eat.

It’s the fructose that causes trouble. Fructose causes an increased acidity in the mouth, which can lead to tooth decay. The more you eat sugary foods, the more likely you are to develop cavities.

Therefore, if you feel sensitive to sugar, it’s essential to identify why you feel that way. If the erosion of your enamel is caused by sugar, you may want to avoid it altogether.

Avoiding Tooth Sensitivity

Since sugar is the most common cause of tooth sensitivity, it’s essential to avoid it. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this. First, make sure you go to the dentist regularly so that they can help figure out any problem that may be causing your tooth sensitivity.

Secondly, you should use re-mineralization treatments, like Fluor Protect, to help shield your enamel from further decay. Ditching sweets for healthier snacks can also help reduce your risk of tooth sensitivity. Instead of cookies and cakes, opt for fruits, nuts, and veggies.

These foods don’t contain the same level of fructose, and they’re also jam-packed with nutrients. However, even if you avoid sugary foods, it doesn’t mean you will never feel tooth sensitivity again. It means you’re less likely to develop cavities due to tooth sensitivity.

Treatment for Sensitive Teeth

If you’re already feeling tooth sensitivity due to the erosion of your enamel, it’s important not to wait until it worsens. It would be best if you took action now to protect your teeth from further decay.

First, you need to cut out all sugary foods from your diet. This includes soda, candy, and baked goods. You should also eat less sugar overall, as this will help keep your teeth from getting cavities in the future.

Secondly, you should use re-mineralization treatments like Fluor Protect to protect your enamel from further decay. This can be applied to your teeth at home, and it’s clinically proven to rebuild lost enamel.

Visit Your Dentist At Belvedere Dentistry So You Can Enjoy Your Treats

If you’re already feeling sensitive to sugar, it’s essential to take action now. However, if you don’t want to feel sensitive to sugar in the future, you can do a few things.

First, you must make regular trips to Belvedere Dentistry. This is the best way to catch any potential issues early and prevent tooth sensitivity.

We constantly aim for quality dental care and experience at Belvedere Dentistry in Uptown Charlotte, so we use the most recent technologies and procedures in the fields of dentistry and orthodontics.

You can click here if you'd like to learn more about our services. As soon as you decide to book an appointment with us, click here. Contact us at (704) - 927 - 5499 or manager@belvederedentistry.com.