Why is it so painful to bite down on aluminum foil?

Question

Why does it feel like an electric shock, and so painful when you bite on tin foil? I always wondered that, I know it has to do with fillings.

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:

- pressure from biting brings two dissimilar metals (aluminum foil, mercury in fillings or gold in crowns) in contact in a moist, salty environment (saliva)

- the two metals have an electrochemical potential difference or voltage across them
electrons flow from the foil into the tooth (i.e. electrical current)

- the current gets conducted into the tooth's root, usually by the filling or crown

- the current sets off a nerve impulse in the root's nerve

- the nerve impulse is sent to the brain

- the brain interprets the impulse as pain

Answer 2

For those without fillings, I have no idea. For those with fillings (like me) the metal on metal is the key. I also don't recommend cheap silverware.

Answer 3

For what reason does one bite down on aluminum foil?

Answer 4

think about it,its a metal and does all the things a metal can do,like conduct static charges and has sharp edges when you bite down on it..........

Answer 5

its simple, the electrical potential doesnt match the alluminium`s potential, so it produces small electricity...

Answer 6

the big word for it is called galvanic shock.

Answer 7

Aluminum foil?!? That's nothing!!!

Try biting down on a p'd off Porcupine!!!!!!!!!