Molar pain when biting signals an underlying issue requiring attention. This discomfort, often felt as a sharp jolt or dull ache under pressure, indicates a problem within the tooth, its supporting structures, or surrounding areas. Recognizing this pain helps individuals understand when professional dental care is necessary.
Common Reasons for Molar Pain
One prevalent reason is tooth decay, or cavities. When decay erodes enamel and reaches the tooth’s softer inner layers, biting pressure can irritate sensitive nerve endings, causing pain. Larger cavities may also trap food, leading to discomfort when chewing.
Another significant cause is a cracked or fractured tooth. These cracks, often hairline and difficult to see, cause sharp pain, especially when pressure is applied or released. The crack allows fractured segments to move slightly, irritating the dental pulp and its nerves. Damage can result from biting hard objects, trauma, or general wear.
A dental abscess or infection, known as pulpitis, also frequently causes pain when biting. An abscess is a pocket of pus around the tooth’s root, often due to advanced decay or injury. The resulting swelling creates pressure that hurts when the tooth is used. This pain can be throbbing and may spread to the jaw, neck, or ear.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, can also cause molar pain during biting. As inflammation and infection advance, supporting tissues become compromised, and gums may recede, exposing sensitive tooth roots. This exposure makes the tooth highly sensitive to pressure from biting.
Bruxism, the unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth, exerts excessive force on molars, leading to pain when biting. This habit can wear down enamel, making teeth more sensitive, and may cause cracks or chips. Constant pressure inflames tooth nerves and can lead to jaw discomfort.
Old or failing dental fillings and restorations can also cause pain. If a filling is too high, it creates an uneven bite, leading to discomfort when pressure is applied. Over time, fillings can wear down, chip, or crack, allowing bacteria to seep underneath and irritate the tooth. This can lead to new decay or infection beneath the restoration.
Sometimes, the pain is referred pain, originating elsewhere but felt in the molar. Sinus pressure or congestion can cause pain in upper molars due to their proximity to nasal sinuses. Conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can also radiate pain to the teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth can also contribute to molar pain, particularly when biting. These third molars may lack space to emerge properly, growing at an angle and pushing against adjacent teeth. This pressure can cause discomfort, swelling, and increase the risk of decay or infection in the neighboring second molar.
When to Seek Professional Care
Prompt dental evaluation is important for molar pain, especially if certain symptoms accompany it. Persistent or severe pain that does not subside, or interferes with daily activities like eating or sleeping, signals a need for professional attention. Pain accompanied by swelling in the face or jaw, fever, or pus discharge around the tooth indicates a potential infection requiring immediate care. Difficulty opening the mouth fully or swallowing can also indicate a spreading infection. Any sudden onset of pain following mouth trauma warrants an urgent dental visit.
Dental Diagnosis and Treatment Options
When a patient visits a dentist for molar pain, the diagnostic process begins with a thorough oral examination. The dentist visually inspects the tooth and surrounding gums, and may use a percussion test or ask the patient to bite on a tool to pinpoint the pain’s origin. Dental X-rays are typically taken to reveal issues like decay, abscesses, or problems with tooth roots and bone. Cold or hot sensitivity tests may also assess the tooth’s pulp vitality.
Treatment options vary widely depending on the diagnosed cause. For tooth decay, a dental filling removes the decayed portion and restores the tooth. If decay is extensive or pulp infection is present, root canal therapy may be necessary to remove infected tissue and save the tooth. Cracked teeth might be treated with a dental crown to prevent the crack from spreading, or in severe cases, root canal therapy or extraction.
For dental abscesses, treatment involves draining pus and eliminating the infection, often with antibiotics, a root canal, or extraction. Gum disease treatment focuses on professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar, and in advanced cases, deeper procedures like scaling and root planing. Patients with bruxism may be fitted with a nightguard to protect teeth from grinding forces. If a filling is too high, the dentist can adjust its shape to restore proper bite alignment. For problematic impacted wisdom teeth, surgical extraction is a common solution.
Preventing Future Molar Pain
Maintaining good oral hygiene is fundamental to preventing future molar pain. Brushing teeth thoroughly twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing helps remove plaque and food particles, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings allow dentists to identify and address potential issues early.
Using a custom-fitted mouthguard can protect teeth from damage during sports or from bruxism during sleep. Avoiding habits like biting hard objects such as ice, pens, or fingernails helps prevent cracks and fractures. Limiting sugary and acidic foods and drinks reduces the risk of enamel erosion and cavity formation.