Has your “sweet tooth” recently become a source of discomfort? Despite their strong structure, your teeth have nerves. This means they can produce pain from time to time. In many cases, the discomfort is felt in terms of sensitivity. While teeth are commonly sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, they can also be sensitive to sweets. If you experience a stinging or sharp pain in a tooth when you eat high-sugared foods, you need to let your dentist know sooner rather than later.
There are a variety of causes for dental sweet-sensitivity, which makes it important to let your dentist give you an accurate diagnosis. Some patients may need to merely monitor their discomfort closely, while others may need immediate treatment to save the tooth. The following are potential reasons why your suffering from tooth pain when you bite into a piece of chocolate cake:
- Decay/Cavity
- Poor Root Canal Treatment
- Infection within the Tooth Nerves
- Traumatic Injury to the Tooth
- Untreated Gum Disease
Another term for tooth sensitivity is “dentin hypersensitivity.” Your teeth have multiple layers. When the outer layer, enamel, breaks down, wears thin or becomes damaged, the dentin layer is more exposed. Unfortunately, your dentin contains numerous tiny tubes that connect the outside of the tooth to the nerve center. Therefore, when the dentin is exposed to extreme temperatures or certain foods, the nerves are stimulated and pain is signaled.
If you are experiencing abnormal sensations of any kind within your teeth, turn to Gilreath Family Dentistry in Marietta. We can diagnose the underlying cause of your tooth pain and recommend an effective and prompt treatment. In some cases, a simple dental bonding procedure can be used to rebuild the outer tooth layer. In other cases, a root canal and dental crown may be required to relieve your pain and save your tooth.
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,
