What happens when you chew on tinfoil?

Answer 1

Biting on aluminum foil can be painful and is­ usually noticed if you have metal in your mouth from dental work (e.g. fillings, crowns). Basically, when you bite on foil, you set up a battery in your mouth and the electrical current stimulates nerve endings in your tooth. Here is what happens:

1. pressure from biting brings two dissimilar metals (aluminum foil, Mercury in fillings or gold in crowns) in contact in a moist, salty environment (saliva)
2. the two metals have an electrochemical potential difference or voltage across them
3. electrons flow from the foil into the tooth (i.e. electrical current)
4. the current gets conducted into the tooth's root, usually by the filling or crown
5. the current sets off a nerve impulse in the root's nerve
6. the nerve impulse is sent to the brain
7. the brain interprets the impulse as pain

Answer 2

Chewing on tinfoil can cause a tingling sensation in your teeth due to the electrical current created by the metal foil and your dental fillings. This sensation is harmless but can be uncomfortable. It's best to avoid chewing on tinfoil to prevent any potential damage to your teeth or fillings.