Why Your Teeth Hurt When Biting Down
We’ve all had those moments where we bite into something, and our teeth feel like they’re going to shatter. Surprisingly, it’s not always because we’re eating something irritating – sometimes, there are other reasons why your teeth hurt when biting down.
This article will shed light on some of the causes of tooth pain and provide tips on getting relief. Keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents
8 Reasons Why Your Teeth Hurt When Biting Down
1. Clenching and Grinding
One common reason your teeth may hurt when biting down is bruxism or grinding your teeth. This can happen due to stress or anxiety, and it often goes unnoticed until you experience pain. The force from clenching and grinding can make the teeth hypersensitive. Overtime, fractures and gum recession can occur.
If you notice that you’re clenching or grinding your jaw, take a break to relax your jaw muscles. Warm and cold compresses can help relieve tension in the jaw muscles. Using a night guard can also help protect against dental sensitivity.
Check out our article Using A Night Guard For TMJ Pain for more information.
Clenching and grinding are common habits that can be why your teeth hurt when biting down. To learn more, our article Consequences of Teeth Grinding has additional information.
2. Untreated Cavities
Around 1 in 4 adults have an untreated cavity. When you experience pain while biting down, it could be a sign of a dental issue that needs to be treated. A common reason for this type of pain is cavities. When bacteria and acid build up on your teeth, they can break down the enamel and cause cavities.
If the cavities are left untreated, they will continue to grow and cause pain and sensitivity. In severe cases, tooth decay can reach the pulp (the innermost layer of the tooth), leading to an infection. Untreated cavities could be why your teeth hurt when biting down.
Check out our other articles about cavities.
3. Poor Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly to maintain good oral hygiene is essential. However, many people should brush or floss their teeth more often. This can lead to a build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
It can also be why your teeth hurt when biting down. This is because plaque and tartar can irritate the gums and cause inflammation. It’s important to brush 2 times a day for 2 minutes and floss daily to keep your gums and teeth healthy. Our Healthy Smile Guide has more tips to help keep your enamel strong and your smile healthy.
4. Dehydration
Dehydration can be why your teeth hurt when biting down. A lack of saliva flow from not drinking enough water can cause an increase in tooth sensitivity. In addition, dry mouth can also contribute to an increase in plaque and bacteria growth.
Saliva is important for removing food, plaque, and bacteria from the mouth. Your saliva also has minerals in it to neutralize harmful bacteria and strengthen the enamel. A strong enamel outer layer of the teeth will help if your back teeth hurt when biting down.
5. Gum Infections
If you have an infection in your gums, it can cause your teeth to ache. A build-up of plaque on your teeth causes gum disease. If it’s not removed, it can harden into tartar, irritating your gums and leading to gum disease.
Symptoms of gum disease are red, swollen, or bleeding gums. The inflammation can cause tooth sensitivity and discomfort. If left untreated, gum infections can lead to tooth loss over time. Our Treating Gum Disease article helps break down gum disease.
6. Weak Enamel
Your teeth are made up of different layers. The hardest, outermost layer is called enamel. Disrupted enamel is when the protective layer is damaged or worn down. This can happen for several reasons, such as brushing too hard, eating acidic foods, grinding your teeth, and more.
When your enamel is disrupted, it exposes the inner layers of your teeth, which are not as strong and can be more sensitive. This can lead to problems such as cavities, sensitivity to hot and cold, and why your teeth hurt when biting down.
7. Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a condition when an infection accumulates in the gums and tissues around the teeth. The most common symptom of dental abscess is a throbbing pain that is worse when biting down. Other symptoms include redness and swelling of the gums, bad breath, and fever.
Treatment for dental abscesses typically involves antibiotics to clear the infection and having your dentist fix the tooth. The tooth may need a root canal and a crown. In severe cases, the tooth may need to be extracted.
8. Cracked teeth
A cracked tooth can be extremely painful, especially when biting down. This is because the crack allows bacteria to enter the tooth and irritate the nerve. There are a few various ways that a tooth can crack, such as from chewing on hard food or from an injury.
Contact your dentist if you think you have a cracked tooth to prevent further complications.
Why My Teeth Hurt When I Chew Gum
If you’re thinking “my teeth hurt when I chew gum”, there could be a few reasons why. Some chewing gum has high amounts of sugar in them and may cause pain if you have cavities. Chewing gum can also cause discomfort if your teeth are cracked or have weak enamel.
Chewing gum can also exacerbate pain in the teeth. If your teeth hurt when biting down, avoid chewing gum.
Why Your Back Teeth Hurt When Biting Down
The molars are the back teeth that take a lot of force. These teeth absorb force when chewing, talking, clenching, and grinding. If your back teeth hurt when biting down, chew soft foods until your symptoms go away.
Consult your dentist to help find out why your teeth hurt when biting down.
Teeth Hurt When I Chew
Chewing involves multiple motions of your jaw and teeth in order to break down food. If your teeth hurt when I chew, it could be one of several reasons above. To prevent any serious complications like an infection, contact your dental team today.
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