Does It Hurt When You Bite? You May Have a Cracked Tooth

Some dental problems announce themselves with constant pain.

Others don’t.

You may feel completely fine most of the day but experience a sharp or uncomfortable sensation whenever you bite down on one particular tooth.

That symptom deserves attention.

Why can a cracked tooth be difficult to identify?

A crack doesn’t necessarily look like a large piece of missing tooth.

The American Dental Association notes that cracks can sometimes be invisible to the naked eye and even difficult to see on an X-ray. Pain when chewing is one symptom that should be evaluated by a dentist.

Other symptoms can include sensitivity or intermittent discomfort, depending on the tooth and the nature of the problem.

What can cause a tooth to crack?

Teeth can become damaged for several reasons, including biting on hard objects, injuries, wear and forces associated with grinding.

A cracked tooth can also become more complicated if the damage progresses.

That’s why persistent pain when biting isn’t something to simply monitor indefinitely.

What happens during an evaluation?

Your dentist can examine the tooth, review your symptoms and use appropriate diagnostic methods to investigate the source of the discomfort.

The goal isn’t to assume that every biting pain means a cracked tooth.

It’s to determine what is actually causing the pain.

If a crack or other dental problem is identified, your dentist can then discuss the appropriate treatment options.

Don’t wait for severe pain

The ADA recommends seeking dental care as soon as possible for a cracked tooth or dental emergency.

At Brilliant Dental Care in Bellevue, patients experiencing unexplained tooth pain can have the problem evaluated and discuss the next appropriate step.

If one tooth hurts when you bite or chew, contact Brilliant Dental Care rather than simply waiting for it to get worse.