Do you love the taste and the nostalgia of munching on licorice during a movie or popping those marshmallow cream pumpkins at Halloween? Candy is a reward, a movie snack, and a fundamental part of many special occasions…so why does eating candy hurt your teeth?
Let’s take a look at what causes candy to hurt your teeth and what you can do about it!
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Why Eating Candy Hurts
When you think of tooth sensitivity, it’s easy to focus on hot and cold food and drinks. However, sweets can trigger sensitivity and cause pain, as well.
Sensitivity in your teeth means you have damaged the enamel, the outer layer of your teeth. Maybe you ate too many highly-acidic foods or brushed a little too hard. Whatever the cause, the enamel has been damaged.
When the enamel of a tooth erodes, it reveals the inner layer, or dentin. Since the dentin is close to the nerves of your teeth, leaving it exposed allows air, food, or drinks to irritate the nerves.
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What to Do When Eating Candy Hurts
It’s important to note that tooth sensitivity doesn’t necessarily happen all of the time, but it usually indicates an underlying problem that you need to address. If munching on candy doesn’t feel quite as good as it used to, it’s time to see a dentist. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help ease the discomfort.
- Switch to a soft or extra-soft bristled toothbrush.
- Choose a new toothpaste made for sensitive teeth.
- Watch how hard you brush. Brushing too hard can damage your enamel and leave you sensitive to candy.
Ultimately, you need to see a dentist about your teeth, and to make sure the root of your sensitivity isn’t a cavity. Book an appointment with Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics to have a professional teeth cleaning and checkup for those pearly whites.