Why Does My Tooth Hurt When I Eat Sugar?

If sugar makes your teeth hurt, it’s your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. At Tenth Street Family Dental, a veteran-owned dental practice in Indianapolis, Indiana, our dedicated team is here to help you win the war on sugar. In today's blog, we'll help you understand why sugar causes tooth pain, how to find relief, and how you can avoid it in the future.

Tooth sensitivity and enamel issues

One of the most common reasons for sugar-related tooth pain is sensitivity. Healthy tooth enamel protects the sensitive layers of your teeth.

But if enamel wears down, sugar and other foods can reach the dentin, the yellowish layer underneath it. Dentin contains tiny tubules that connect to the nerves of your teeth. When sugar works its way down into those tubules, you can feel it in your nerves, so that's what can cause soreness, stinging, or even severe, sharp pain.

Acidic drinks, teeth grinding, and aggressive brushing can all weaken enamel, too, with similar effects.

Unfortunately, you can't regrow enamel. When it's gone, it's gone. That's why protecting it early is so important. We may recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush, avoiding acidic and sugary foods, and using an enamel-strengthening toothpaste to help prevent enamel thinning.

Cavities and tooth decay

Cavities form when bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and produce acid. Every time you snack on sweets or sip a sugary drink, those bacteria release acid that clings to your teeth. 

Over time, this acid softens and breaks down the protective enamel layer, leading to permanent damage. As the enamel wears away, small holes begin to form. You might know them as cavities.

Once a cavity develops, sugar and other foods can reach the sensitive inner layers of the tooth more easily. That’s why you may feel a sharp twinge or lingering pain after eating something sweet. 

If the decay continues to spread deeper, it can reach the pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves. At that point, the irritation goes beyond simple sensitivity and can become constant, throbbing pain.

Gum health and hidden problems

Sometimes, sugar pain isn’t about the tooth itself but the gums around it. Gum recession exposes the roots of your teeth, which don’t have protective enamel.

That leaves them highly sensitive to sweet foods. Gum disease can also increase the risk of cavities and even tooth loss.

Other hidden problems, like cracked teeth or loose fillings, can also make sugar painful to eat. These issues need treatment immediately to prevent worsening damage or even tooth loss. If you come in for treatment as soon as the pain starts, you might just need a filling. But if you wait and suffer for months, you could need a root canal or even an extraction.

Tooth pain when eating sugar is never something to ignore. Whether it’s sensitivity, a cavity, or a gum problem, treatment can protect your smile and stop the pain before it gets worse. At Tenth Street Family Dental, our team uses the latest technology, like laser dentistry, to monitor your oral health and even treat cavities early, before they can become painful.

If you notice tooth pain when you eat sugar, call 317-358-8885 today to make an appointment in our Indianapolis office. We can get you out of pain and back to your life fast!