A sharp pain when biting, chewing, or exposing teeth to extreme temperatures signals a problem beneath the surface of the tooth or gums. This common symptom occurs because the protective layers of the tooth have been compromised. The pressure of chewing or the rush of hot or cold stimuli irritates the underlying nerve, registering the sensation as pain. Since the underlying issue is often progressive, a professional dental assessment is necessary to prevent the condition from worsening.
Understanding the Root Causes of Chewing Pain
The protective outer enamel shields the dentin, a softer layer filled with microscopic tubules leading directly to the nerve-rich pulp chamber. When dental decay penetrates the enamel and reaches the dentin, food debris, bacteria, and temperature changes access these sensitive pathways, causing pain upon contact. The severity of the sensitivity depends on the extent of the decay, as deeper lesions irritate the nerve more intensely.
Sharp, intermittent pain characterizes Cracked Tooth Syndrome, which occurs when a fracture is present but the tooth has not broken off entirely. The pain is often most severe not when biting down, but when releasing the pressure, known as “rebound pain.” This occurs because the fractured segments separate slightly under pressure and snap back together when the force is removed, irritating the nerve.
Restorations like fillings or crowns protect the tooth, but they can fail over time due to wear, chips, or adhesive breakdown. A loose filling or crown creates a microscopic gap, allowing bacteria, food particles, and temperature changes to leak underneath and irritate the underlying tooth structure. This can lead to new decay forming beneath the restoration, causing pain when chewing pressure is applied.
Gum recession is another common source of temperature-related pain during eating, as it exposes the root surface of the tooth. Unlike the crown, the tooth root is covered by cementum, not hard enamel, making it vulnerable. When gum tissue pulls back due to aggressive brushing or periodontal disease, the exposed dentin tubules on the root react painfully to hot, cold, or acidic foods and drinks.
Immediate Steps for Managing the Discomfort
While waiting for a dental appointment, sharp pain can often be managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen work by reducing inflammation around the affected tooth, which is a major source of dental pain. Acetaminophen can also be used, and for significant pain, alternating between the two medications every few hours, within recommended 24-hour limits, can provide comprehensive relief.
Local care helps keep the area clean and temporarily reduces irritation. Rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water solution—about half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water—acts as a mild antiseptic and helps reduce localized swelling. Gently swish the solution for about 30 seconds, concentrating it near the painful area, and repeat this process a few times a day.
Adjusting your diet and chewing habits is essential to avoid triggering the pain. Stop chewing immediately on the affected side to prevent mechanical pressure from further irritating the tooth or fracture. Temporarily eliminate foods that are hard, sticky, or require excessive force to chew. Also, avoid items with extreme temperatures, such as very hot coffee or ice water, and highly acidic drinks.
Professional Solutions to Eliminate the Toothache
The definitive treatment for chewing pain focuses on resolving the underlying cause identified during a dental examination. For minor decay or a small chip that has not reached the pulp, a dental filling is the standard solution. The damaged material is removed and the space is sealed with a restorative material, which restores the tooth’s surface and prevents bacteria from advancing deeper.
When a tooth has a significant fracture, large decay, or a failed restoration that compromises its structural integrity, a dental crown is necessary. A crown is a cap that covers the entire visible portion of the tooth. It holds a cracked tooth together to prevent movement and provides a strong, sealed barrier against biting forces, protecting the tooth from splitting or breaking.
If decay or trauma has caused irreversible inflammation or infection within the inner pulp chamber, a root canal procedure is performed to save the tooth. This involves removing the infected nerve tissue, disinfecting the inner canals, and filling them with an inert material to eliminate the infection source. The tooth is then usually covered with a crown to protect the structure from fracture.
Pain caused by advanced gum disease and exposed root surfaces often requires scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure. This treatment removes hardened plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the root surface. This discourages bacteria from accumulating and allows the gums to potentially reattach to the tooth, reducing inflammation and helping desensitize the exposed root area.