Why does my tooth hurt when I bite?
Pain when you bite usually means the tooth is cracked, decayed, infected or under too much pressure. It can also come from an uneven filling or a gum problem around the tooth. The cause is almost always something a dentist can find and fix.
The reason biting hurts is simple. When you bite, the tooth moves a tiny bit and pushes on the ligament and bone around the root. If there is a crack, an infection or inflammation, that small movement is enough to send a sharp signal.
Do not ignore it just because the pain is brief. A sharp pain that lasts one second is still a signal. A tooth that hurts on biting today can be a tooth that aches all night next month.
It also helps to think about what changed. Did you recently have a filling or crown? Did you bite on something hard? Have you been stressed and clenching your jaw? Any of these can be the trigger, and your dentist will want to know.
Common causes
These are the causes we see most:
- A cracked tooth: pain when you bite and then a sharp release when you let go is the classic sign.
- A cavity or a failing filling: decay can reach the nerve and make biting painful.
- An infection at the root tip, called an abscess: the tooth feels raised or tender to tap.
- A high filling or crown: if new dental work is a hair too tall, it takes the whole bite.
- Gum disease: loose or inflamed gums can make the tooth sore.
- Grinding or clenching: heavy force on the teeth can inflame the ligament around the root.
- A sinus problem: infections in the upper sinuses can make upper back teeth ache.
The cracked tooth clue
The American Association of Endodontists lists five types of cracks, from tiny craze lines that never hurt to a root fracture that is very serious, as described in this guide from Spear Education. A crack that reaches into the tooth is a main reason people feel pain on release. The two halves flex when you bite, then spring back.
Because a crack can be too thin for an X-ray, your dentist may use a bite stick, a light and a dye to find it. Treatment is often a crown. Treating it early may save the tooth.
Do not try to test a crack yourself by biting on hard things. That can make it worse. If you suspect a crack, avoid chewing on that tooth and call a dentist soon.
Remember that a crack can start after years of heavy chewing, a large filling or a hit to the face. You may not remember when it happened. That is common.
Sinus pain or tooth pain?
Upper back teeth sit right under the sinuses. When the sinuses are inflamed from a cold or allergies, several teeth on one side can ache, especially when you bend over. The pain is usually dull, and you often have a stuffy nose or pressure behind your eyes.
If one tooth hurts to bite and you have no cold symptoms, the problem is more likely the tooth. If you are not sure, a dentist can test each tooth and tell you whether to see a dentist or your doctor.
A quick way to tell the difference: sinus pain tends to be in several upper teeth at once and gets worse when you bend down. A tooth problem is usually in one tooth and gets worse when you bite or have something hot or cold.
A dentist can sort this out in one visit. A cold test and a tap test on each tooth show which one is the source, and an X-ray of the sinus area or a note to your doctor can follow if needed. You do not have to guess, and you do not have to live with it.
What to do until your visit
You can ease the pain for a day or two with these steps:
- Chew on the other side and eat soft foods.
- Avoid very hard, sticky or crunchy foods.
- Rinse with warm salt water.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever that is safe for you.
- If you clench or grind, try to keep your teeth apart when you are not eating.
What your dentist will do
Your dentist asks which tooth, when it hurts and what triggers it. Then they check the tooth with a bite test, a cold test and a gentle tap, look at the gums and take X-rays. The aim is to find out whether the problem is the tooth itself, the nerve, the gum or the bite.
Treatment fits the cause. A cavity needs a filling. A high filling is adjusted in a minute. A cracked tooth may need a crown. An infection may need a root canal or an extraction. Grinding is treated with a night guard. Gum disease is treated with a deep cleaning. Most of these fixes are routine.
Keep a short note on your phone: when it hurts, what triggers it, how bad it is. This helps your dentist see the pattern, especially if the pain comes and goes.
Skip the urge to test the tooth by biting on it again and again. Each test can irritate the tooth. Call your dentist and describe where it hurts.
If the cause is a high spot on a recent filling or crown, a quick adjustment often brings relief right away. Do not wait for it to settle on its own. A bite that is too high can bruise the ligament and make the tooth sore for weeks.
It helps to know the usual timeline. Many fixes take one visit. Fillings and bite adjustments are done the same day. A crown usually takes two visits, though a temporary crown protects the tooth in between. A root canal can often be started the same day the pain is found.
If the dentist says the tooth cannot be saved, ask about all the ways to replace it. There are good options, and you will not have to decide in a rush.
After treatment, many people feel better within days. If the pain does not improve, tell your dentist. Sometimes more than one thing is going on, and a second look finds it.
If you grind your teeth, you may wake up with sore teeth and a tight jaw. Tell your dentist. A night guard made to fit your teeth can protect them while you sleep, and it is often a simple, low-effort fix.
When to call right away
Pain on biting can wait a few days if it is mild. Call the same day, or get emergency care, if you have:
- Severe or throbbing pain
- Swelling in your gum, cheek or face
- A fever
- A bad taste or pus
- Trouble breathing or swallowing, which is an ER emergency
Pain when you bite? Call KDA
We can find out which tooth it is and why.
KDA lists emergency care 24/7. If you are in pain, call us at 305-271-1421 and tell us what is going on. Our regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and we are closed Saturday and Sunday.
You will find us at 8833 SW 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33176, in the Kendall Mall. We have served South Florida since 1973. We take digital X-rays and 3D scans in the office, so we can see what is wrong the same visit. We accept most dental insurances and most Medicare supplemental plans, and financing is available.
If the pain started right after new dental work, call the office that did it. A small bite adjustment is usually quick and often free of extra steps. You do not need to wait for the next checkup.
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The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to any advertisement for the free, discounted fee or reduced fee service, examination or treatment. D0191, C6182
Common questions
Why does only one tooth hurt when I bite?
That tooth likely has a crack, decay, an infection or a filling that sits too high.
Can pain when biting go away on its own?
It may ease for a while, but the cause is still there. Have it checked.
Is it a cavity or a cracked tooth?
Cavities often hurt with sweets or cold. Cracks often hurt on biting and release. Only a dentist can tell for sure.
Can grinding cause pain when biting?
Yes. Grinding inflames the tissue around the roots. A night guard can help.
Could it be my sinuses?
Upper back teeth can ache from sinus pressure. If you also have a stuffy nose or pressure behind your eyes, mention it to your dentist.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: speareducation.com, my.clevelandclinic.org, dentalcompare.com.