Pain in the molars while chewing can be a common and unsettling experience. This discomfort signals an underlying issue within the tooth, gums, or surrounding structures. Understanding these potential causes is the first step toward finding relief and maintaining oral health.
Underlying Reasons for Molar Pain During Chewing
Several conditions can lead to molar pain specifically when pressure is applied during chewing. Each issue affects the tooth or its supporting tissues in distinct ways, resulting in discomfort upon biting down. Identifying the specific cause is important for effective treatment.
Cavities are a frequent cause of pain. When decay progresses to deeper layers of the tooth, the nerve-rich pulp can become irritated, leading to pain when chewing or when food gets trapped in the cavity. This occurs because the chewing forces directly press on the compromised tooth structure and exposed nerve tissue.
Cracked tooth syndrome involves hairline fractures in the tooth. Chewing can cause these minute cracks to flex and separate, irritating the inner pulp and leading to sharp, fleeting pain, especially as pressure is released from the bite. The pain might be most noticeable when biting down and then immediately releasing, due to the rapid movement of the fractured segments.
Gum disease, or periodontitis, is an infection affecting the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease advances, it can cause gums to recede and bone to erode, leading to loose teeth and increased sensitivity. Chewing can become painful because the weakened support structures and inflamed gums are subjected to pressure.
Dental abscesses are pockets of pus caused by bacterial infections, often at the tooth’s root. The accumulation of pus creates pressure within the tooth and surrounding bone, resulting in severe, throbbing pain that intensifies with chewing. This condition is often accompanied by sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
Bruxism, the grinding or clenching of teeth, can exert excessive force on the molars and their supporting ligaments. This constant pressure and friction can lead to muscle soreness, jaw pain, and a generalized ache in the teeth, which becomes more pronounced when chewing. The ligaments attaching the tooth to the bone can become sore from overuse.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. Pain from TMJ disorders can radiate to the molars, making chewing difficult and uncomfortable. When the joint is inflamed or misaligned, the act of chewing can aggravate the condition, leading to increased discomfort.
When to Seek Professional Dental Care
While some mild discomfort might resolve on its own, certain symptoms indicate a need for prompt evaluation.
You should seek dental care if the pain is severe, persistent, or does not improve with over-the-counter pain relievers. Pain that wakes you up at night or interferes with daily activities like eating or speaking also warrants professional attention.
Other signs that necessitate a dental visit include:
Swelling in the face, jaw, or gums.
Fever accompanying tooth pain.
Difficulty opening your mouth fully.
Increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures that lingers.
A bitter taste in your mouth.
Dental Assessment and Treatment Options
When you visit a dentist for molar pain during chewing, they will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the underlying cause. This typically involves a visual examination of your teeth and gums, a discussion of your symptoms and medical history, and often dental X-rays. The dentist may also perform specific tests, such as tapping on the tooth or having you bite down on an object, to pinpoint the source of the pain.
Treatment options vary widely depending on the diagnosis. For cavities, the decayed portion of the tooth is removed and the tooth is restored with a dental filling. These fillings restore the tooth’s structure and function, allowing for comfortable chewing.
If the tooth’s pulp is infected, often due to deep decay or a crack, root canal therapy may be necessary. This procedure involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the inner root canals, and then filling and sealing the tooth to prevent further infection. Root canal treatment aims to save the natural tooth and alleviate pain.
For gum disease, treatments range from deep cleaning procedures like scaling and root planing, which remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline, to more advanced surgical interventions for severe cases. These treatments reduce inflammation and help re-establish healthy gum tissue, which can improve chewing comfort.
In cases of bruxism, a custom-fitted night guard can be fabricated to protect the teeth from grinding and clenching forces. This appliance helps cushion the teeth and can reduce jaw pain and tooth wear. For severe tooth damage or infection that cannot be treated by other means, tooth extraction may be the necessary course of action.