Tooth Pain When Chewing? Here's What It Might Mean | Mint Hill Smiles

Pain when you bite down or chew is one of the more common reasons people call a dentist.

The sooner you get the pain checked out and treated the less invasive and less expensive it will be to fix. Here is what tooth pain when chewing can mean and when to come in.

Possible causes include:

A cracked tooth often hurts specifically when you bite and release, with a sharp pain that comes and goes. Cracks can be hard to see and often need an exam to diagnose. A cavity that has grown large enough can cause pain with pressure and with sweet, hot, or cold foods. An infected or dying tooth can cause pain with chewing along with throbbing or sensitivity to temperature. A high filling or crown that sits slightly too tall makes a tooth hit first when you bite, causing soreness, and is an easy fix. Gum problems or an abscess around a tooth can cause pain with pressure.

When to see a dentist

Pain that persists for more than a day or two, pain with swelling, or sharp pain when biting all should be evaluated. Tooth pain rarely resolves on its own, and catching the cause early almost always means a simpler fix.

Call (704) 323-7577 and we will get you in to find out what is going on.

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does my tooth hurt when I chew but not otherwise?

Pain specifically when chewing often points to a cracked tooth or a bite issue like a high filling. A tooth that hurts only with pressure should be checked as soon as possible, since cracks tend to worsen over time.

Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?

No. A cracked tooth does not heal and tends to worsen with continued chewing. Treatment depends on the depth of the crack and can range from a crown to, in severe cases, extraction. Earlier treatment usually means a simpler fix.

Is tooth pain when chewing an emergency?

If the pain is severe, accompanied by swelling, or keeping you from eating, call us promptly. Even milder pain that persists more than a day or two should be evaluated.

Ready to Take Care of It?

If you are overdue for a check-up and suspect something might be going on, the best thing you can do is call us. The sooner we catch it, the simpler the fix.

We serve patients from Mint Hill, Matthews, Indian Trail, Stallings, Weddington, Midland, Albemarle, and southeast Charlotte, NC. We accept most major insurance plans including Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare. If you do not have insurance, ask us about Brush365.

Call (704) 323-7577 or visit minthillsmiles.dentist to schedule. We are at 11300 Cresthill Drive, Suite 105, Mint Hill, NC 28227.