You may have a sweet tooth, but sweets can be bad for your teeth. Imagine having your favorite flavor of ice cream only for you to experience a toothache. Most of the time, the presence of a cavity or tooth decay can cause pain when it comes in contact with sugar.
In some instances, though, people complain that their teeth hurt when eating sweets, but there are no cavities. So, what can cause toothache when there are no visible dental problems? To answer, enamel erosion, dental hypersensitivity, and other factors could be why you experience pain after consuming something sugary. Hence, cavities and root canals are always the cause of tooth pain from eating something sweet.
To know more about teeth sensitivity to sugar, carry on reading this blog. We will talk about the possible reasons why your teeth hurt when eating sweets, even if you have no cavities.
Reasons Your Teeth Hurt When Eating Sweets, But There Are No Cavities
Here are possible reasons why your teeth are suddenly sensitive to sugar:
Dental Enamel is Wearing Away
Our teeth have layers; enamel is one of them. It is the hard surface layer that protects the teeth from any sort of damage, be it physical, chemical, or thermal. In short, dental enamel allows you to enjoy sweet, acidic, hot, or cold foods and beverages. If the dental enamel starts to wear away, your teeth will experience increased sensitivity and pain when they come in contact with potential triggers.
Your dental enamel might wear away if you eat acidic food or brush your teeth in an aggressive manner. Hence, you may have no cavities, but your teeth may hurt when eating sweets.
The Tooth is Damaged
Damage does not always mean decay — it is possible you underwent a mouth trauma or injury that directly affected your tooth. So if you had a sports injury or another accident that left your tooth chipped, fractured, or damaged, chances are you will experience sharp pain. As a result, your teeth might suddenly become sensitive to sugar, causing toothache when you eat something sweet, even with no cavities.
Your dentist can fix the issue by assessing the damage and opting for a suitable treatment, which may range from dental bonding to veneers. In severe cases, though, you may need a tooth extraction.
You Grind Your Teeth
Children and adults both grind their teeth, which may be conscious or unconscious. Also known as bruxism, this phenomenon might occur when you are asleep. Grinding teeth together only makes them weak, even damaging them when it occurs excessively. Hence, if you grind your teeth, there is a high possibility you also suffer from sugar sensitivity.
If you grind your teeth, the dentist might recommend a night guard. Make sure to drop by your dentist to discuss suitable treatment options!
You Had Teeth Whitening Recently
Professional teeth whitening may leave you with a dazzling smile, but it can result in temporary teeth sensitivity. The chemicals involved in the procedure, especially hydrogen peroxide, might make your teeth highly sensitive after the treatment. So if you recently had a professional teeth whitening appointment, it could be the reason your teeth hurt when eating sweets, but there is no sign of cavities.
You Have Gum Disease
When gum disease develops, teeth sensitivity and receding gums are the two primary symptoms that take place. Infections in the gum are what cause periodontal disease, which is also responsible for teeth sensitivity. Hence, you may have teeth sensitivity to sugar not because of cavities but something much worse. Visit a periodontist for treatment!
Consuming Acidic or Sugary Foods
Your dental enamel might be strong, but it cannot withstand constant exposure to acidic and sugary food items. Therefore, it is bound to wear away over time, and your teeth will start to hurt when they come in contact with food or beverages with sugar or acid content. On top of bad eating habits, if you have bad oral hygiene, that is a recipe for dental disaster waiting to happen.
What’s Next?
In conclusion, if your teeth hurt when eating sugar but there is no hint of cavities, it could be due to enamel erosion, gum disease, bad eating habits, and more. Our expert team of dental specialists at Champions Dental knows how important your oral health is. Dial (281) 866-0442 to make the most of our effective procedures. You can also visit us at 13455 Cutten Rd. Suite 2G, Houston, TX 77069.