Tooth Hurts When Biting? Find Out Why

Experiencing tooth pain while biting down is not normal. Take this blog as your initial guide to help you understand why your tooth is hurting when you chew. By knowing the causes and signs that show up, you can take steps to minimize the issue before it gets worse.

Tooth Pain While Eating

1. Off Bite Malocclusion
   Occlusion, in dental terms, is the way your teeth close up when you bite down. Ideally, the pressure is supposed to be evenly distributed among all your teeth. But if a tooth or any filling is not aligned correctly, it leads to pain when you chew. You often get to know this once the sedatives wear off.
2. Large Cavities
   Do you experience toothache after eating certain foods? This might be happening due to tooth decay or the presence of cavities. Large cavities trap food that exerts added pressure on your tooth and result in pain. If you have had a cavity filled and the filling falls out, food gets stuck, leading to discomfort.
3. Dental Abscess
   In this condition, bacterial infection causes pus to build up. This swelling puts pressure on your tooth. The pain can come and go in the form of episodes. If left untreated, a tooth abscess leads to severe consequences.
4. Cracked Tooth
   Identifying a cracked tooth is challenging as it does not appear physically but with only sudden pain when you bite.
5. Gum Disease
   Sometimes, this condition may be related to gum disease, often caused by poor oral hygiene. This condition leads to loose teeth, gum issues, and exposed tooth roots.
6. Wisdom Teeth Troubles
   Wisdom teeth are a real pain when they grow in the wrong positions due to insufficient space. While many ease it from wisdom tooth removal, it is not always necessary.
7. Sinus Pressure
   Not all tooth discomfort is dental-related. Inflamed sinuses can cause pain in your upper teeth due to their location near the nasal sinuses.
8. Gum Recession
   Gum recession is a major source of extreme sensitivity when pressure is applied to the exposed tooth root. This can result in sharp, throbbing tooth pain while eating or drinking. Forceful brushing, teeth grinding, disease, or trauma might be the culprits.
9. Bruxism
   Teeth grinding and involuntary jaw clenching add extra pressure to your teeth, causing pain and even fractures. They usually happen while sleeping. Talk to your dentist and ask them to teach you some relaxation techniques for relief and a mouthguard to protect your teeth.

   Closing Note

   So, tooth pain while you bite can be resolved by taking steps to address the main issue causing it and, of course, your oral health maintenance. Call us to learn more about this from the dental experts at Rio Dental. Dial (210) 785-8526 to schedule an appointment. Or, if you’d like to visit our office, you can find us at 2811 Hillcrest Dr, San Antonio, TX 78201, near Villasol Insurance Solutions LLC.