Pain when biting down on your teeth is a common sensation, often indicating an underlying oral issue. This discomfort can stem from problems with tooth structure, gums, jaw mechanics, or referred pain. Understanding these origins helps explain why this symptom occurs.
Internal Tooth Problems
Pain when biting often stems from problems within the tooth itself. Tooth decay, or cavities, erodes protective enamel. As decay progresses, it can reach the sensitive dentin layer or the innermost pulp, which contains nerves. Biting pressure can then directly stimulate these exposed nerve endings, leading to discomfort.
Tiny tooth cracks can cause sharp, fleeting pain when biting, especially upon release. This, called cracked tooth syndrome, occurs because the crack allows pressure to affect the tooth’s internal nerves. The tooth may also feel slightly raised or misaligned due to its weakened structure.
Pulpitis, or inflammation of the tooth’s pulp, can also cause biting pain. Often resulting from deep decay, trauma, or cracks, untreated pulpitis can lead to an abscess. An abscess creates a pus pocket, causing severe biting pain due to pressure within the tooth or bone. New fillings or crowns can sometimes cause temporary sensitivity as the tooth adjusts to the restoration.
Gum and Bone Issues
Pain when biting can also stem from issues with the teeth’s supporting structures. Gum disease (periodontitis) involves inflammation and infection of the gums and supporting bone. As the disease progresses, it can lead to bone loss, making teeth feel loose or tender when pressure is applied during biting.
Gum recession occurs when gum tissue pulls back, exposing the sensitive root surface. Unlike the crown, tooth roots lack protective enamel. This exposure makes the tooth highly sensitive to pressure from biting or chewing, and to temperature changes.
Significant bone loss, often a consequence of advanced gum disease, further compromises tooth stability. This can result in teeth feeling wobbly or shifting, which contributes to pain when biting due to reduced support.
Jaw and Bite Mechanics
Jaw mechanics and forces on teeth can also cause biting pain. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders involve problems with the jaw joint and its controlling muscles. These disorders can cause referred pain to the teeth, especially when biting or clenching, and may also present as earaches, headaches, or facial pain.
Bruxism, the chronic grinding or clenching of teeth, puts excessive stress on the teeth and jaw. This habit can lead to worn enamel, cracks in teeth, and generalized soreness or pain when biting. The constant pressure can inflame the nerves within the teeth, causing discomfort.
An uneven bite, known as malocclusion, occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not align properly. This misalignment can cause certain teeth to bear more force than they are designed to handle, leading to pain, sensitivity, and even microtrauma to the tooth’s nerve when biting down.
Referred Pain
Referred pain means tooth pain originates elsewhere in the body. Sinus infections (sinusitis) are a common example, particularly affecting upper back teeth. Maxillary sinuses are above upper tooth roots; inflammation or pressure from infection can cause pain felt when biting or bending over. This discomfort often affects multiple upper teeth, distinguishing it from a localized dental issue.
In some less common instances, other conditions, such as certain nerve issues, can manifest as tooth pain. This type of nerve pain can feel like a sharp jolt when biting or applying pressure. However, it is always advisable to rule out direct dental causes first, as they are significantly more common for pain experienced when biting down.