Tooth Pain and Sweets

Tooth pain associated with eating sweet, sugary foods can be irritating and frustrating.

The pain arises due to irritation of the internal tissue of the tooth, which can occur for a variety of reasons 16.

Common culprits include a cavity, a crack in your tooth or a condition called dentin hypersensitivity, among others 3. The nature and duration of the tooth pain along with a dental examination and x-rays will help your dentist determine the cause of your discomfort and best course of action.

Tooth Structure and Sensitivity

Each tooth is covered with a hard outer layer. Enamel covers the crown, the visible part of the tooth above the gum. Cementum covers the tooth roots. Dentin forms the middle layer of the tooth. This bone-like material encases the soft, innermost portion of the tooth, the pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves.

Dentin comprises microscopic tubes that extend from its interface with the enamel or cementum to the interior pulp of the tooth.

Loss of enamel or cementum with dentin exposure frequently leads to tooth sensitivity caused by irritation of the nerves in the pulp of the tooth 1. Tooth sensitivity typically involves sharp pain of short duration that occurs in response to certain triggers, including: -- hot and cold foods or beverages -- sweet, sour and salty foods -- tapping, touching or drying the tooth

Cavities and Tooth Fractures

Causes of Pain in a Filled Tooth

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When tooth sensitivity associated with eating sweets develops abruptly, it often indicates an acute problem 1. You might have a cavity that has penetrated through the enamel into the dentin.

Or a crack could have developed in the affected tooth. A tooth crack, or fracture, can occur while chewing a hard substance or in response to a blow to your tooth. An acute tooth problem often causes sensitivity to several different triggers, so you might notice sharp pain with various types of food or beverages 1.

Dentin Hypersensitivity

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) refers to tooth pain occuring in response to specific triggers that is not due to another dental problem, such as a cavity or tooth fracture 3.

Enamel or cementum loss with dentin exposure is the underlying cause of DH, which occurs most commonly in adults aged 20 to 40. DH can occur for a variety of reasons, including: -- age-related wear and tear -- overly aggressive tooth brushing -- receding gums or periodontal disease -- bruxism, or grinding your teeth

Short-term DH also occurs commonly after at-home or professional tooth whitening. In some people, no specific cause for DH can be identified.

Sugary foods -- as well as sour and salty foods -- are believed to trigger tooth pain associated with DH due to short-term chemical effects on the pulp that provoke nerve pain. Other triggers irritate the nerves of the pulp via other mechanisms.

Treatment

Tooth Pain After Eating

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Treatment for tooth pain associated with sugary foods depends on the underlying cause. A cavity may only require a filling if you catch it early. More extensive tooth decay may require a crown or root canal treatment. Treatment for a cracked tooth depends on the site and extent of the fracture 1. Similarly, the treatment for periodontal disease or receding gums depends on the severity of the condition.

Several treatments are available for DH. Over-the-counter toothpastes, mouthwashes and chewing gums that contain desensitizing ingredients -- such as potassium or fluoride salts -- might be effective for mild to moderate DH.

If these products do not provide relief, you dentist might recommend an in-office treatment, such as application of fluoride varnish or another mineral substance to your teeth. Your dentist will also advise you about dietary or dental hygiene practice changes to avoid further erosion of the enamel of your teeth.

Warnings and Precautions

It's important to schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible if you experience tooth pain, whether associated with eating sweets or not.

Pain is your body's way of alerting you that a problem exists, and it should not be ignored. A delay in treatment for tooth pain often leads to a more serious dental problem and a more costly repair -- or loss of the involved tooth.

Tooth pain sometimes indicates a serious problem that requires immediate professional attention. Seek urgent medical or dental care if you experience tooth pain accompanied by any warning signs or symptoms, including: -- sudden or worsening facial swelling or redness -- fever or chills -- difficult or noisy breathing

Reviewed and revised by: Tina M. St. John, M.D.