Have you ever wondered, “Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down?” Perhaps your tooth feels fine most of the time, but you get a sharp pain when chewing, biting into something hard, or putting pressure on one particular tooth.
Pain when biting down is relatively common, but it shouldn’t be ignored. It can have several causes, ranging from a small crack or loose filling to tooth decay, an infection or an issue affecting the tissues around the tooth.
At Fleckney Dental, we understand that dental pain can be worrying. The good news is that the sooner the cause is identified, the more straightforward treatment can often be.
In this guide, we’ll explain the most common reasons why your tooth may hurt when you bite down, what you can do in the meantime, and when you should see a dentist.
There are several possible causes of pain when biting or chewing. Some of the most common include:
Let’s look at these in more detail.
One of the most common reasons for tooth pain when biting down is a cracked or damaged tooth.
Teeth can develop small cracks for a number of reasons. Biting down on something particularly hard, an injury, wear and tear, or grinding your teeth can all contribute.
A cracked tooth may cause:
Not all cracks are visible to the naked eye, so don’t assume that everything is fine just because you can’t see a crack.
If you think you may have a cracked tooth, arrange a dental examination. Depending on the extent and location of the crack, your dentist may recommend treatment such as a filling, crown or, in more extensive cases, root canal treatment.
Tooth decay can cause sensitivity and pain, particularly as the decay becomes more advanced.
In the early stages, tooth decay may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, however, you may experience toothache or sharp pain when eating or drinking, particularly with hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks.
If decay has progressed deeper into the tooth, you may notice pain when biting down as well.
The sooner decay is diagnosed, the more likely it is that your dentist can treat the tooth before the problem becomes more extensive.
If the tooth that hurts when you bite down has previously had a filling, the filling itself could be contributing to the problem.
Fillings can become worn, loose or damaged over time. A damaged filling can leave the tooth vulnerable and may alter the way your teeth meet when you bite.
You might notice:
A dentist can examine the tooth and filling to determine whether the filling needs repairing or replacing.
Pain when biting down can sometimes be a sign that the tissues around the root of the tooth are inflamed or infected.
A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by an infection in the tooth or gums. Symptoms can include severe toothache, sensitivity, pain when chewing, a bad taste in the mouth, swelling and sometimes a high temperature.
If you have persistent tooth pain accompanied by swelling, a bad taste, fever or significant discomfort, you should seek dental advice promptly.
A dental abscess will not go away on its own and requires treatment from a dentist.
Although tooth pain when biting is often associated with the tooth itself, problems with the surrounding gums and supporting tissues can also cause discomfort.
Gum disease can cause gums to become red, swollen, sore and prone to bleeding. In more advanced cases, teeth can become loose and an abscess can develop.
If your painful tooth is also surrounded by swollen or bleeding gums, it’s important to have the area checked by a dentist.
Do you wake up with a sore jaw or notice that your teeth feel tender?
You could be grinding or clenching your teeth, sometimes without realising it.
Repeated pressure from grinding or clenching can place stress on your teeth and the tissues supporting them. Over time, this can contribute to tooth sensitivity, cracks, worn teeth and discomfort when biting.
If you regularly wake up with jaw discomfort, headaches or sensitive teeth, mention this to your dentist. There are treatments and preventative measures that may help protect your teeth.
This is a common question.
If your tooth doesn’t hurt constantly but is painful specifically when you bite down, it may indicate that the tooth or the tissues surrounding it are reacting to pressure.
Possible causes include:
It’s difficult to identify the exact cause without examining the tooth. A dentist may carry out a clinical examination and, where appropriate, take an X-ray to help establish what’s happening.
Some sensitivity following dental treatment can be temporary. However, if you have persistent or worsening pain when biting after a filling, it’s worth contacting your dentist.
Sometimes a filling can sit slightly higher than the surrounding teeth, meaning that tooth receives more pressure when you bite. Your dentist can assess your bite and the tooth and determine whether any adjustment or further treatment is needed.
A painful tooth after a filling can also have another underlying cause, so don’t simply assume that the discomfort will disappear.
If you have pain when biting, try to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the affected tooth until you can get it checked.
You can also:
NHS guidance recommends seeing a dentist if toothache lasts for more than two days, does not improve with painkillers, or occurs alongside symptoms such as pain when biting, a high temperature, red gums, a bad taste or swelling.
Most importantly, don’t ignore persistent dental pain simply because it comes and goes.
If your tooth hurts when you bite down, it’s a good idea to arrange a dental appointment, particularly if the pain persists or is getting worse.
You should seek urgent dental advice if you have severe dental pain, significant swelling, or other symptoms suggesting an infection. NHS guidance recommends urgent dental care for severe or persistent dental pain and certain types of swelling or dental injury.
If swelling is making it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak, seek emergency medical help immediatley.
You can’t prevent every cause of tooth pain, but good oral hygiene and regular dental care can reduce your risk of many common dental problems.
Try to:
Regular dental appointments also give your dentist an opportunity to identify problems before they become more serious.
If you’re experiencing tooth pain when biting down, the team at Fleckney Dental can assess your symptoms and help identify the cause.
Dental pain can have several different causes, and getting the right diagnosis is the first step towards effective treatment. Whether the problem is a cracked tooth, decay, a damaged filling, gum disease or something else, we’re here to help you understand your options.
If you’re concerned about a painful tooth, contact Fleckney Dental to arrange an appointment.
No. While occasional sensitivity can happen, persistent or significant pain when biting isn’t something you should ignore. It can be caused by problems such as decay, a cracked tooth, a damaged filling or infection.
Pain that occurs specifically when pressure is placed on a tooth can be associated with problems such as a crack, inflammation around the tooth, a filling that needs attention or an infection. A dental examination is needed to determine the cause.
Yes. A cracked tooth can cause sharp or intermittent pain when biting, and sometimes when releasing the bite. Cracks aren’t always visible, so a dentist should assess ongoing symptoms.
Yes. Tooth decay can cause toothache and sensitivity, and more advanced decay can lead to inflammation or infection that may make biting uncomfortable.
It’s better not to ignore persistent tooth pain. If your toothache lasts more than two days, or you have pain when biting, swelling, a bad taste or other concerning symptoms, arrange an appointment with a dentist.
If you’ve been asking “Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down?”, there could be several explanations. A cracked tooth, tooth decay, a damaged filling, gum disease, grinding or an infection can all cause discomfort when chewing.
The important thing is not to ignore persistent pain. Finding the cause early can help prevent the problem from becoming more complicated.
If you’re experiencing tooth pain when biting, Fleckney Dental is here to help. Contact the practice to arrange an assessment and get your tooth checked.
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