Why Does Chocolate Hurt My Teeth?

Why do My Teeth Hurt When I Eat Chocolate?

If you are a chocolate lover, you probably know that it has many benefits for your body. It has antioxidants, which can protect your body from diseases and infections. Besides that, it also contains vitamins and minerals.

But if you are eating too much of it, it can cause problems in your oral health. The main reason why chocolate hurts your teeth is because of its high sugar content.

This sugar is used by the bacteria in your mouth to make a sticky film that coats your teeth. This film is called plaque, and when left unchecked, it can lead to tooth decay and cavities.

Moreover, this film can also discolor your teeth and gums. Plaque can also cause your teeth to become sensitive.

You may be experiencing sensitivity to food because your gums have receded and they are no longer protecting your teeth from acid and sugary foods.

The best way to prevent this is to practice good dental hygiene habits and visit your dentist regularly. They can diagnose your sensitivity and provide treatment if needed.

If you are a chocolate lover, it is important to limit your intake of it. You can do this by not snacking on it throughout the day. Rather, give your kid his or her share at night when it is easier to clean their teeth.

Should you drink water after chocolate?

You should drink water after chocolate because it will help to flush out the sugar that you have eaten. It also helps to wash away any lingering sugar from your teeth.

In addition, drinking water after a binge on chocolate can help to release any toxins that are still in your body. This can be beneficial for your health and it will also enable your kidneys to work more effectively, according to Harvard Health.

Another reason you should drink water after eating chocolate is because it can help to keep your sugar levels in check. Too much sugar in your system can cause you to feel thirsty because it is a diuretic.

Adding milk to your water can help to prevent dehydration as well. This is because milk has 90 percent water. It is also packed with nutrients like protein and electrolytes. It can be a great choice for people who exercise regularly and need to refuel properly after workouts.

How to Repair Tooth Enamel

As the hardest mineral in the human body (as hard as bone!) enamel protects the dentin beneath it from damage. However, certain foods and drinks and years of general wear and tear can cause enamel erosion, or tooth decay, to develop.

Enamel can be remineralized with the help of dental products and fluoride treatments, but it cannot be naturally replaced. Once the enamel has worn away, it is gone for good.

Repairing Tooth Enamel

The first step to repairing tooth enamel is to identify the source of the damage. The most common source of enamel loss is acidity in the mouth. This can be caused by consuming foods and drinks that are highly acidic or by bacteria in the mouth that convert sugars into acids.

Limiting your intake of high-acid foods and drinks such as citrus fruits, carbonated sodas, juices, and vinegar can be important in preventing enamel erosion. Rinsing your mouth with water after eating or drinking these types of food can also help prevent acid from damaging your enamel.

Chewing xylitol dentist-recommended gum frequently can also inhibit bacterial growth and stimulate saliva, which can help rinse away acid residue from your teeth. Additionally, pairing acidic foods with dairy and calcium-rich foods can help neutralize the acidity that these foods can generate.

Visiting your dentist regularly is another essential part of restoring and maintaining healthy enamel. This allows your dentist to catch any signs of enamel erosion before it causes serious damage, as well as provide you with consistent, routine cleanings and fluoride treatments to prevent further tooth decay.

How Do You Rebuild Enamel?

What is enamel?

Enamel is the hard, white coating that protects your teeth from acid damage. It contains minerals like calcium and phosphate, which are vital for tooth health and strength.

It can be damaged by acids in foods and drinks, sugar and starch from your diet, harmful bacteria and other oral bacteria and bacterial by-products. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of water, whole grains, fruits and vegetables helps to keep your body’s pH balanced and starves the acid-producing bacteria in your mouth.

Remineralisation

To re-mineralise a weakening tooth, you need to add back the minerals that are being lost from the enamel. The minerals that are being lost are mainly calcium and phosphate.

Your body will naturally try to add these minerals back if it hasn’t already. The problem is that the acid in food and drink and the by-products of decaying teeth eat through these minerals faster than your body can replenish them.

The best way to rebuild your enamel is by using a remineralising toothpaste that has high levels of calcium and phosphate with a fluoride additive. It is recommended that you talk to your dentist as they can advise on the best remineralising toothpaste for your teeth.

How long does it take to re-mineralise?

It can take a number of months for the remineralisation process to kick in. A high-performance remineralising toothpaste such as BioMin can reduce this time considerably however.

Can Enamel Grow Back?

Enamel is the protective outer layer of calcified tissue that covers the sensitive inner layers of your teeth. It’s also the first line of defense against tooth decay and erosion.

Tooth enamel is made of calcium, phosphate and fluoride. When acids and bacteria eat away at your teeth, they draw out these minerals, which weakens and damages your enamel.

While you can’t grow your enamel back, you can remineralize it by using certain toothpastes or mouthwashes that help push calcium and phosphates back into the enamel, hardening it. Remineralizing helps your enamel protect your teeth from further damage and reduces the risk of cavities.

The best ways to remineralize your teeth are by drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet and brushing regularly with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. It’s also important to avoid foods and beverages that cause acid erosion, like juices, sugar-free drinks, milk and any other liquid that doesn’t have natural sweeteners in it.

New research published in Science Advances shows that scientists have made progress towards repairing dental enamel. By combining a gel with an ingredient that mimics the formation of crystals in the body, they found that eroded enamel was repaired within 48 hours to the same level as healthy natural enamel.

Scientists are planning to test this method on humans soon. But the key molecule used to repair enamel – triethylamine (TEA) – is toxic, so this new technique may only be useful in lab environments for now.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity to Sugar?

A recurring question we hear from our patients is, “Why does my tooth hurt after eating sweets?” It’s not something we want to ignore! It is usually a sign that there is a greater dental issue causing the pain.

Tooth Sensitivity Causes

When you eat something that is sticky, sugary or acidic your teeth may become sensitive. This discomfort is commonly known as tooth sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity.

The problem occurs when the protective layers of enamel wear away and expose the nerve endings inside your teeth. The pain you experience is triggered by the contact between the nerve and the sugary or acidic food.

Brushing and flossing can help reduce sensitivity but you should wait half an hour after eating a high-sugar food to do this. This gives your tooth enamel time to recover from the pressure and irritation caused by brushing and allows for some of that harmful sugar to rinse away without wearing it down further.

Keeping Up with Regular Oral Hygiene

A good oral hygiene routine is the best way to prevent and reduce tooth sensitivity. A regular schedule of cleanings and checkups with your dentist will also spot any potential issues before they have a chance to develop into more serious dental problems.

Some tooth whitening treatments can cause temporary sensitivity to sugar. This usually fades, however, unlike sensitivity caused by tooth decay or enamel loss.

However, to be effective, the hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening solution must penetrate the tooth and reach the soft dentin inside. This can cause temporary sensitivity to sugar and sweets.

Eating Too Much Sugar

Tooth sensitivity is common for many people and it can be a result of long-term sugar consumption, poor oral hygiene or lack of routine care. The longer that sugar sits in your mouth, the more damage it can do to your teeth’s pH balance and creates more chances for cavities or gum disease.

Watch Your Sugar Intake If your teeth hurt after you eat sugar, another option is to reduce the amount of sugar you eat.

Sugar sensitivity, when your teeth hurt after eating sugar, is usually a symptom of a greater problem.

Gummy or sticky sweets like gummy bears, icing, dried fruit, and honey all stick to teeth, giving bacteria lots of time to grow. Orange juice. Orange juice is high in sugar as well as naturally occurring citric acid, which can further erode teeth.

Determining what it is can help prevent it from getting worse and can also help you learn how to prevent tooth pain in the future.

How will you know if your teeth are sensitive?

If you have sensitive teeth, you may experience pain or discomfort as a response to any of the following: sweet food or beverages, hot or cold food or drinks, acidic food or beverages, brushing or flossing, and even cold air or cold water.

Avoiding sugary foods and drinks is the best way to prevent tooth sensitivity. You can also reduce the sensitivity you feel by following a good oral hygiene routine.

Brush your teeth twice a day and floss after every meal to help keep your mouth healthy and happy. You can also use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth to clean your smile without damaging your sensitive enamel.

Lastly, be sure to wait a half an hour before brushing and flossing after you eat sweets or other treats that are high in sugar. This gives your sensitive tooth enamel time to absorb the acid produced by bacteria in your mouth.

How Can I Eat Chocolate Without My Teeth Hurting?

Despite the endorphin-releasing goodness that chocolate offers, we often feel guilt about enjoying this sweet treat. However, dark chocolate has a few positive benefits to your oral health, and eating it in moderation can be beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing.

Eat it after dinner

Having chocolates at the end of a meal is healthier for your teeth, because the acid in your mouth neutralizes within an hour of consuming them. If you have chocolates throughout the day, they are more likely to damage your teeth because they elevate your mouth’s acidity levels.

Choose dark chocolate

Compared to milk or white chocolate, dark chocolate has a lower sugar content. It also contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols which have many benefits to the body and have been shown to help fight gum disease and tooth decay.