Sugar sensitivity is one of the main reasons why your teeth hurt from sweet foods. It is different from other types of sensitivity that is caused by extreme temperatures.

Sugar sensitivity is a typical teeth problem that can be caused by one of the following reasons.

Loss of enamel

If the teeth begin to lose their enamel, they can become more sensitive, not just to sweets, but to other things as well. i.e. extremely cold or hot drinks or food.

Enamel is the front/outer layer of your teeth that protects them from cavities and decay. But when it starts to erode, it gives a sign of a risk for tooth decay.

So when the enamel is damaged, it exposes the teeth’s sensitive inner layer and causes the teeth to hurt.

If the outer layer of teeth enamel is damaged, your teeth become sensitive to sugary foods, hot or cold drinks, and even irritants have easier access to your teeth’ nerve center, which can cause extreme pain.

Here are a few reasons that can cause loss to your teeth enamel!

Wrong brushing technique

Brushing with an improper technique can affect your teeth enamel.

If you brush too hard or your brush’s bristles are tough, that can also damage your enamel.

If you are sensitive to sweets, avoid using a toothbrush with stiff bristles and use a brush that has soft bristles.

Brush your teeth gently in a round/circular motion. Don’t press hard or straight back on the teeth or gums.

Cleaning your teeth using a proper technique can remove all the particles from there without hurting your enamel.

Choose a manual or electric toothbrush, but always make sure you are brushing slowly, and making circular motions with the brush because that’s the only right way!

Eating acidic food

Foods and drinks that touch your teeth can affect your enamel!

Besides, items like red wine, coffee, soda, and acidic drinks can also do some damage to your teeth.

Such foods can erode the enamel, leading your teeth with a risk for cavities.

What’s more, these foods can also cause stains in your teeth.

Dental Caries/Cavities

Sugary foods can cause cavities.

The bacteria that cause cavities stuck on your teeth and overgrow.

Cavities can cause pain and infect your inner tooth.

Not only artificial sugar drinks, but fruit juice can also lead to caries development, however sometimes people ignore how it impacts their oral health.

Tooth damage

Any trauma to your teeth can cause sensitivity.

If damaged by a car accident or while playing sports, a tooth can become sensitive to cold, hot, and sugary foods.

Grinding your teeth can also harm your teeth by wearing down the enamel, causing increased sensitivity.

Tooth whitening treatments

If you are experiencing sensitivity after using a whitening treatment, then it is likely that the product is the culprit behind the problem.

That is, some patients often report tooth discomfort after at-home or professional tooth whitening treatment.

However, the pain caused by whitening treatment is usually temporary.

If it persists for more than two days, contact your dentist who performed the whitening treatment.

Gum disease

Gum diseases can significantly affect your oral health.

That is, it can also make your teeth sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet foods.

Gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontist are usually responsible for giving you pain from sweets in your teeth and gums.

Gapped teeth

Teeth that have unwanted gaps allow food to stuck in themselves, making it easy for the sugary items to stick into your teeth and gums and cause sensitivity.

Such teeth should be kept clean after taking any food to avoid pain after taking hot and sweet foods.

Teeth scaling

You can also feel some sensitivity after teeth scalping and root planing.

The dentist removes all calculus deposits (tartar) and plaque from the teeth below your gum-line in scaling.

That process can cause a slight discomfort around your teeth for some days, which in return might make your teeth sensitive to sweet, hot and cold foods for up to four to six weeks.

However, sensitivity after scaling is normal for everyone, so you shouldn’t consider it a severe problem for your oral health.

Overuse of sugary items

Foods and drinks with high sugar are one of the significant reasons behind teeth sensitivity.

You should avoid over intake of sweets and maintain proper hygiene to prevent their adverse effects.

What’s more, if your teeth are decayed or having any infection, then the sweet foods can not only make them sensitive but also destroy them dramatically.

Poor diet or Poor eating habits

Improper diet or poor eating habits can also be a reason for teeth pain.

For example, Vitamin C is essential against teeth sensitivity prevention and needed for oral health in general.

Thus, if you are not taking the ideal amount of Vitamin C, you could suffer from several oral health problems, including tooth decay.

How can I prevent tooth pain/sensitivity to sweets?

Teeth sensitivity can be prevented by maintaining good oral health. Here are some of the essential points that can help you ease teeth pain from sugary foods.

Watch what you eat?

What you eat is, in other words, means what you give to your teeth.

That is, if you are eating a lot of junk food, you may be at an increased risk for impaired oral health.

Vitamin C deficiency can cause tooth decay by weakening the teeth, so it is crucial to eat a healthy and Vitamin C enriched diet.

Some items that are good for your enamel include:

Foods and drinks rich in fiber
Milk
Yogurt
Water
Leafy greens
Etc

Foods that can make your teeth sensitive include:

Sugary sweets and candies
Soft and soda drinks
Alcoholic drink
Coffee
Pickles
Wine
Citrus fruits
Crackers
Etc

Change the brushing technique

Brushing using the wrong technique can damage your teeth.

Always brush your teeth gently and don’t put any pressure.

What toothpaste is best for teeth sensitivity?

If your teeth are sensitive, then you should use an anti-sensitivity toothpaste.

There are many kinds of toothpaste and dental creams available in the market that is effective against teeth sensitivity.

Sensodyne is one of the best kinds of toothpaste for teeth pain, and we suggest you give it a try.

Alternatively, you can speak to your doctor to find the toothpaste that works the best for you.

What toothbrush is best for teeth sensitivity?

Always buy a toothbrush that has soft bristles, as stiff bristles can erode your enamel.

Toothbrushes with soft bristles will help you clean both your gums and enamel without any severe damage.

Rinse your mouth frequently

Rinsing helps to flush your mouth with unwanted sugary food particles.

After having a meal, rinse the mouth thoroughly using tap water.

Make it your habit, as it is one of the best ways to protect your teeth from cavities.

Floss your teeth

Flossing helps remove stuck food particles between your teeth.

Get a branded floss, use it every night to remove all of the food particles in the lines of your teeth.

Painkillers

Painkillers can help lower the immediate pain when you experience sensitivity to sweets.

If your teeth hurt while or after having meals, taking a painkiller may help reduce the pain.

Mouthguard

As we mentioned before, teeth grinding can also cause sensitivity to your teeth.

If you also grind, then a mouthguard at night time would be the best option to protect your teeth from damage.

Fillings

Dental fillings can help ease the sensitivity caused by cavities.

When your teeth are filled, the sugar won’t be able to stick into the decayed spot anymore.

Consult with your dentist for a filling before the teeth get into more severe problems.

Sealants

Sealants can be applied to your teeth to help reduce sensitivity.

They help seal the affected areas of your teeth and prevent food and plaque from sticking there.

Usually, they are used for children on their molars, but adults can also benefit from them.

Fluoride

Fluoride helps to protect teeth from acidic foods and sweets.

It also creates the remineralization that improves the health of the enamel.

You can obtain fluoride either from toothpaste or mouthwash.

Fluoride can also be applied for a long time using dental treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the common questions people ask regarding teeth sensitivity.

Why my back teeth suddenly sensitive to chocolate?

Back teeth, usually molars, are sensitive to chocolate because they are tough to clean.

Since they are situated on the very backside and require a bit tough job to get cleaned, people usually ignore them, which causes them to decay.

The ideal solution against this problem is to brush your back teeth using a proper technique and reach the toothbrush to every corner of your mouth.

Why my teeth hurt when eating sweets but no cavities?

According to experts, your teeth may still hurt from sweets even if you have no cavities.

Because teeth sensitivity isn’t only happened due to cavities, but can also be caused by different reasons, including weak enamel, gum disease, broken tooth, etc.

Why does sugar hurt my cavity?

When your tooth is suffering from cavities, it allows the sugar to enter inside the gums’ nerves.

Because of that, heat, cold and acidic foods reach the nerve ending in the dentin layer of teeth, causing severe pain in the result.

Why do my teeth hurt after eating chewy food?

Some people often ask: why do my teeth hurt when I bite down or eat chewy food?

Well, chewy foods such as meat, bubbles can also cause pain in your teeth.

This usually happens when you have weak gums or having a broken tooth.

It is crucial to check with a dentist because ignoring this issue may lead to severe teeth problems in the future.

Why does my mouth hurt after eating?

Some people often experience jaw or mouth pain after eating any food.

That can happen because of weak jaws lead by a severe condition TMJ (temporomandibular joint).

You can experience the sound of cracks, pain, and stiffness in your mouth in this condition.

It is recommended to share this issue with an orthodontic expert before it worsens your oral health.

The Bottom Line

Teeth sensitivity is common from childhood to adult age.

If we don’t maintain better care of our oral health, there are higher chances for cavities and other problems to occur in our mouth, which may easily make them vulnerable to sensitivity.

Therefore, it is essential to keep your teeth clean to maintain proper oral hygiene. Also, visit your dentist regularly and avoid unwanted food to stop your teeth hurt from hot, cold, and sugary foods.

Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Eat Sweets: 9 Things You Can Do!