Biting down on foil - gahhhh

[saramamalana]

I unwittingly bit down on a piece of foil and the feeling scared the crap out of me. I thought I'd pulled a filling out and was even more confused when I pulled silver out of my mouth (but it was in fact the foil).

What the hell was that feeling and why does foil have that effect? :(

[Joey P]

I belive you basically created a battery, you have two dissimilar metals, and your saliva for electrons to flow through. (But I'm SURE someone else will explain it MUCH better then I just did.)

[x-ray vision]

I'm assuming you have fillings. That feeling was electric current. Two different metals with a slightly acidic liquid between them (your saliva), makes a battery.

[saramamalana]

Dude. That's f'ing spooky. And yes, I've got plenty o' fillings.

[Panzerfaust]

You could power a car! saramamlana, the alternative fuel, endorsed by aging, "eco-conscious" celebrities and hippies everywhere!

[Duckster]

Darn it!

Foiled again!

:D

[saramamalana]

Me and Dave Clark are going to take over the world! My dentist will be so proud.

[chaoticbear]

yeah... they basically explained it... It's a reduction-oxidation reaction. and FWIW, the solution doesn't even have to be acidic, just have ions dissolved in it.

[dnooman]

Hey!! I have never had a filling in my life, yet this phenomena is no news to me. It may be an electrical reaction, but it has nothing to do with metal fillings...cuz I have none, and I have experienced said phenomena by chewing on aluminum foil. I think it's a salival/nerve connection within teeth. WAG!

[ArrMatey!]

...Fillings.... Nothing more than... Fillings....