If you feel pain in any part of your body, it is important to stop and consider it. Pain is always a symptom of something going wrong, some underlying issue. So whether you feel a sharp sting of pain when biting down or you have a lingering toothache, know that your body is trying to tell you that there is something wrong. While only your dentist can tell you precisely what that is, the following is a look at some of the most common causes of a painful bite.

7 Causes of Tooth Pain When Biting Down

1. Tooth Decay

Tooth decay or cavities are caused when tiny bacteria eat away your teeth’s hard, protective surface and leave behind holes and gaps. This bacteria also creates a sticky film that coats teeth called plaque, and that plaque produces acid that attacks the minerals of a tooth. Over time, this tooth decay develops further, and the bacteria and acid can reach your tooth’s inner pulp, and when that happens, the pulp frequently swells up. This inflammation causes painful flare-ups whenever you bite down and chew. While not all cavities hurt, and most won’t hurt until these later stages, advanced tooth decay is often incredibly painful.

2. Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease happens when the gums that hold your teeth in place become infected by bacteria. That bacteria inflames the gums, frequently causing them to bleed and may even expose the roots of your teeth. These symptoms lead to painful chewing and biting problems.

3. Cracked Tooth

If you have pain that happens only when you bite down, especially only when biting down on one side of your mouth, then you might have a cracked tooth. That pain is caused by pressure on an unprotected part of your inner tooth.

4. Tooth Filling or Crown is Too High

A tooth filling or crown that sits too high can cause pain whenever you bite down due to the uneven pressure of the bite. This event can happen either due to an incorrect installation (in which case the pain will often be immediately after applying the filling or crown), or it may loosen over time.

5. Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is when an infection occurs at the very tip of a tooth root due to an untreated cavity, injury, or some other event. This infection leads to swelling and pus collecting inside the bone, which puts painful pressure on a tooth. Dental abscesses are incredibly dangerous and, left untreated, can prove fatal due to the bacteria being able to seep into the bloodstream. Always seek medical assistance immediately if you ever suspect a dental abscess is causing you pain.

6. Sinus Pressure or Congestion

If you suffer from constant sinus infections or congestion, you might commonly feel tooth pain in the teeth at the top of your mouth. That’s because the roots of these teeth are close to nasal sinuses. When your sinuses become inflamed, so do the roots.

7. Gum Recession

Brushing your teeth is incredibly important as it prevents plaque build-up and keeps bacteria at bay. However, aggressive and excessive brushing can also cause the problem of gum recession. Gum recession is when your gums pull away from the lower portion of your teeth, exposing their sensitive roots and causing pain when biting and chewing. Gum recession can also be caused by teeth grinding and gum disease.

Do Not Ignore Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is not like a stubbed toe that gradually subsides. As noted in all of the above causes of tooth pain when chewing and biting, this pain is the symptom of an underlying, more permanent issue. Tooth pain will not go away on its own. 

Every toothache is your body warning you that something is going wrong — and that’s when your body is being forthright. Additionally, since pain may take a while to occur, many times you might have a growing issue that has not yet reached the painful stage. On the contrary, an issue may never hurt but can continue to create more problems. The good news is that for all the above conditions and more, your neighborhood dentist is here to help.

Our Hutto, TX dental team is equipped to handle all manner of tooth and gum problems and to handle them with care and expertise. Contact our team today to learn more and enjoy beautiful, healthy teeth tomorrow.