When you bite down, you may experience pain in your tooth for a variety of reasons. A variety of conditions, including cavities and tooth damage, sinus infection, and gum disease causes this type of toothache.
These issues, in addition to causing sharp stabs of pain when chewing or applying pressure to the tooth, can lead to tooth loss and other problems.
When you bite down, pain is usually caused by complications of poor oral hygiene or tooth damage. Sinus pressure caused by an infection can also cause it. The following are some of the most common causes of tooth pain.
1. Cavity
Cavities are the most common causes of a painful bite (holes in the teeth caused by tooth decay). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 90% of adults over the age of 20 have had at least one cavity. When bacteria in plaque feed on sugars in your mouth, the hard outer shell of your teeth (tooth enamel) erodes.
Cavities can affect any part of the tooth; in cases of gum recession caused by gum disease, the teeth's roots can also be affected. Cavities must be treated because they can lead to more serious problems, such as infection and tooth loss.
2. Cracked Tooth or Other Injury
Physical damage can also cause tooth pain when biting down. Accidents or falls, impact, natural wear and tear, bruxism (tooth grinding), and chewing on ice or very hard foods are all causes of loosening or cracked teeth.
3. Periodontitis
Periodontitis, also known as periodontal disease, is a severe form of gingivitis in which the infection causes the gums to pull away from the teeth and the underlying bone to weaken and lose mass. The toothache is caused by loosening teeth and decay, which are common complications of this condition.
Periodontitis is extremely common, affecting nearly half of all American adults over the age of 30. It is a progressive condition that is a major cause of tooth loss.
4. Malocclusion
When the upper teeth are properly aligned, they should hang over the lower set, and the molars should interlock. They can become worn down and damaged if they are not lined up, a condition known as malocclusion, and their stability can suffer as a result. This can result in loose teeth, cracking, tooth decay, and an increased risk of gingivitis and periodontitis, all of which cause tooth pain.
5. Loose Filling or Crown
Tooth pain can also be caused by dental fillings to repair cavities or dental crowns (specialized caps placed over damaged teeth).
If these are loose, ill-fitting, or broken, the underlying structures may be harmed, causing discomfort when biting. Natural wear and tear, poor fit, dental infection, tooth decay under a crown, or teeth grinding can all cause this.
6. Abscessed Tooth
Tooth decay, periodontitis, and tooth damage can all cause the pulp of the tooth to become inflamed and die.
This can result in the formation of an abscess, which is a pocket of thicker fluid or pus formed where the teeth meet the bone. If left untreated, this painful, serious condition can spread the infection to the bone, teeth, and surrounding tissues.
7. Pulp Necrosis
Pulpitis, an infection of the pulp, which is the nerve and blood vessel-filled tissue surrounding the tooth root, is a common result of tooth decay. This can cause the tissues to die, a condition known as pulp necrosis.
Pulp necrosis can cause tooth pain and lead to an abscess, among other serious dental problems.
The Bottom Line
Biting or putting pressure on your tooth causes more than just annoyance. It could be a sign of more serious dental problems that are affecting the health and appearance of your teeth.
If you have this type of toothache, it is critical that you seek dental care and treatment. As with many aspects of health, the sooner you seek help, the better off you will be—and so will your smile.