Tooth pain when biting down is one of those symptoms that can be easy to ignore, especially if your tooth feels fine when you are not eating. But pain when you bite or chew can have several different causes, from a cracked tooth or dental filling problem to tooth decay, gum disease or an infection.
If you are searching “why does my tooth hurt when I bite down?”, “why does my tooth hurt when I chew?” or “why does my tooth hurt when I put pressure on it?”, the important thing to know is that biting pain is not a diagnosis by itself.
The cause needs to be assessed by a dentist.
At Centre of Dental Excellence in Stanmore, we can examine the tooth, assess your symptoms and, where clinically appropriate, use diagnostic tests such as X-rays to help identify what is causing the discomfort.
Why Does My Tooth Hurt When I Bite Down?
There are several possible reasons why a tooth may hurt when you bite.
Some causes are relatively straightforward to treat, while others may require more extensive restorative or endodontic treatment.
Here are 9 possible causes of pain when biting down.
1. You May Have a Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth is one of the possible causes of pain when biting or chewing.
The crack may be very small and difficult to see yourself. You may not notice anything unusual when looking in the mirror, yet putting pressure on the tooth can trigger discomfort.
A cracked tooth can sometimes cause:
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Discomfort when releasing your bite
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
Intermittent toothache - A feeling that something is “not quite right” with one particular tooth
Cracks can occur because of trauma, biting hard foods, tooth grinding or clenching, or previous dental work.
Treatment depends on the location and extent of the crack. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve a restoration such as a filling or crown, or in some cases root canal treatment.
The NHS also lists cracked or damaged teeth as a possible cause of toothache and advises seeing a dentist if you have a cracked tooth.
2. Tooth Decay Could Be Causing the Pain
Tooth decay does not always cause obvious symptoms in its early stages.
As decay progresses, however, it can cause toothache or sensitivity. If decay becomes extensive and reaches the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels, root canal treatment may eventually be needed.
You may notice:
- Pain when biting
Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods - A visible hole or cavity
- A dark, brown or black area on the tooth
- Increasing toothache
A filling may be appropriate when decay has created a cavity but the pulp has not become irreversibly damaged.
If decay has reached the pulp, root canal treatment may be recommended instead.
This is why a painful tooth should not automatically be assumed to need either “just a filling” or “a root canal”. The condition of the tooth needs to be assessed first.
3. You Could Have a Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection.
An abscess can develop around the tooth or in the gum and may cause significant pain or tenderness, including discomfort when biting.
Possible signs include:
- Toothache
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Swelling around the tooth or gum
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Red or swollen gums
- A high temperature
- Swelling of the cheek or jaw
A dental abscess needs dental treatment and should not simply be left to see whether it disappears.
If you have toothache accompanied by swelling, fever, a bad taste or pain when biting, the NHS advises seeking dental care.
4. Your Filling Could Be Damaged or No Longer Suitable
If the tooth that hurts has previously had a filling, the filling itself could be part of the problem.
A filling can become:
- Loose
- Broken
- Worn
- Damaged
- Affected by further decay around or underneath it
You may notice pain when biting down, sensitivity or the sensation that your bite has changed.
The NHS lists a loose or broken filling among possible causes of toothache.
A dentist can assess the filling and the tooth underneath it to determine whether the restoration needs repair or replacement, or whether there is another underlying problem.
5. Your Dental Crown Could Be Causing the Problem
If you have a dental crown on the tooth that hurts when you bite, there are several possible explanations.
For example, the tooth underneath the crown could have developed decay or inflammation, the crown could have become damaged or loose, or the tooth may have developed a crack.
Pain when biting does not necessarily mean that the crown needs replacing.
The dentist will need to assess both the restoration and the underlying tooth before recommending treatment.
6. Inflammation Around the Tooth Could Be Causing Pain
Pain when biting can sometimes occur because the tissues surrounding the tooth have become inflamed.
This can happen for several reasons, including:
- Dental infection
- Trauma
- Excessive biting forces
- Tooth grinding or clenching
- Problems involving the tooth’s pulp
The tissues around the root help support the tooth and can become sensitive when the tooth is subjected to pressure.
This can make an otherwise normal bite feel uncomfortable.
7. Gum Disease Could Be Contributing to the Problem
Not all dental pain comes directly from inside the tooth.
Problems affecting the gums and supporting tissues can also cause discomfort.
Gum disease may cause:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing
- Bad breath
- Gum tenderness
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth in more advanced cases
The NHS lists gum disease as one possible cause of toothache and recommends seeing a dentist if you have painful, swollen or bleeding gums.
If you are experiencing both gum symptoms and pain when biting, it is particularly important to have the area assessed rather than assuming the problem is simply tooth sensitivity.
8. Teeth Grinding or Clenching Could Be Putting Too Much Pressure on Your Teeth
Do you wake up with a sore jaw?
Do your teeth feel sensitive or uncomfortable when you chew?
Do you regularly clench your teeth during the day?
Teeth grinding and clenching also known as bruxism can put significant forces through the teeth and the surrounding structures.
Over time, this can contribute to:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tooth wear
- Cracked or damaged teeth
- Jaw discomfort
- Headaches
- Pain when biting or chewing
The NHS includes grinding your teeth among possible causes of toothache.
If several teeth feel uncomfortable rather than one specific tooth, grinding or clenching may be one of the factors your dentist considers.
9. A Wisdom Tooth Could Be Causing the Pain
If the discomfort is towards the back of your mouth, a wisdom tooth could be involved.
Wisdom teeth can sometimes cause problems when they do not have enough space to come through properly.
This can lead to inflammation or infection around the tooth and may cause pain, swelling or difficulty chewing.
If you are experiencing pain around the back of your mouth, your dentist can assess whether a wisdom tooth is contributing to your symptoms.
Could Pain When Biting Mean I Need a Root Canal?
Sometimes, yes but not always.
One of the reasons patients become concerned about biting pain is because they associate it with needing a root canal.
Root canal treatment may be recommended when the pulp inside the tooth has become infected or significantly damaged.
This can happen because of:
- Deep tooth decay
- A crack or fracture
- Significant dental trauma
- Previous extensive dental treatment
- A dental abscess
Other symptoms may occur alongside biting pain, including lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, spontaneous toothache, swelling or a darkened tooth.
However, pain when biting alone does not mean you automatically need root canal treatment.
Your dentist needs to determine what is happening inside and around the tooth before deciding on the appropriate treatment. The NHS explains that root canal treatment is used to remove infection from inside a tooth and may be needed when the pulp has become infected.
Can You Need a Root Canal Without Severe Toothache?
Yes.
Some dental problems do not produce dramatic or constant pain.
A tooth can sometimes have significant underlying problems while symptoms remain mild, intermittent or difficult to pinpoint.
This is one reason why persistent biting pain should not simply be ignored because the tooth “isn’t hurting that badly.”
A dental assessment can help determine whether the problem is related to the tooth’s structure, pulp, gums, surrounding tissues or another cause.
Why Does My Tooth Hurt When I Bite but Not When I Don’t?
This is a common question.
When you are not chewing, the affected tooth may not be under much pressure.
When you bite down, however, force is transmitted through the tooth and the surrounding tissues.
If something is cracked, inflamed, infected or otherwise compromised, that pressure may trigger pain.
This is why pain that appears specifically when you bite or chew is worth mentioning to your dentist, even if the tooth feels completely normal at other times.
What If My Tooth Only Hurts Occasionally When I Bite?
Intermittent pain can still be important.
You might notice the discomfort only when:
- Eating something hard
- Chewing on one particular side
- Eating certain foods
- Biting at a particular angle
- Releasing your bite
- Eating after waking up
- Your teeth are already sensitive
Because intermittent symptoms can have several possible causes, keeping track of which tooth hurts, when it hurts and what triggers it can be useful information for your dentist.
When Should I See a Dentist About Pain When Biting?
If your tooth hurts when biting or chewing, it is sensible to arrange a dental assessment, particularly if the problem keeps returning or is getting worse.
The NHS recommends seeing a dentist for toothache lasting more than two days, toothache that does not settle with painkillers, or toothache accompanied by symptoms such as pain when biting, fever, red gums, a bad taste or cheek/jaw swelling.
You should seek urgent dental advice if you have significant swelling, severe pain or signs of infection.
If swelling around the eye or neck develops, or swelling makes it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak, the NHS advises emergency medical attention.
What Happens at a Dental Check-Up for Tooth Pain?
A dental examination gives your dentist the opportunity to look for the cause rather than simply treating the symptom.
Your dentist may:
- Ask when the pain started
- Ask whether it happens when biting, chewing or releasing your bite
- Check the affected tooth
- Examine your gums
- Look for decay or cracks
- Assess existing fillings, crowns or other restorations
- Check your bite
- Carry out appropriate diagnostic tests
- Take an X-ray if clinically necessary
A dental examination can then help your dentist discuss the appropriate options with you.
The NHS explains that dental check-ups involve examining the teeth, gums and mouth, discussing any symptoms and, where necessary, using X-rays or other assessments.
New Patients in Stanmore: Dental Check-Up for £75
If you have noticed pain when biting, sensitivity, a change in your bite or another dental concern, finding the cause is the first step.
At Centre of Dental Excellence in Stanmore, we are currently offering new patients a dental check-up for £75.
This gives you the opportunity to have your teeth and gums assessed and discuss any concerns you may have with your dentist.
Whether your symptoms turn out to be related to a filling, tooth decay, a cracked tooth, gum problems, grinding, a wisdom tooth or a potential infection, an assessment can help establish what is happening and what options may be appropriate.
🦷 New Patient Check-Up £75
New to Centre of Dental Excellence? Book your dental check-up for £75.
📍 46 Church Road, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4AH
Our private dental clinic welcomes patients from:
Stanmore
Harrow
Edgware
Bushey
Pinner
Borehamwood
Northwood
Watford
North West London
Don’t Ignore Pain When You Bite
A tooth that hurts when you bite down is giving you information but the symptom alone cannot tell you exactly what is wrong.
It could be something as straightforward as a damaged filling, or it could be related to tooth decay, a crack, gum problems, grinding, a wisdom tooth or infection.
The sooner the cause is assessed, the sooner you can understand what is happening and what treatment, if any, may be appropriate.
If you have noticed pain when biting or chewing, book an assessment at Centre of Dental Excellence in Stanmore.
New Patient Check-Up £75
📍 46 Church Road, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4AH
📞 020 8420 7407
Centre of Dental Excellence private dental care in Stanmore for patients from Harrow, Edgware, Bushey, Pinner, Borehamwood, Northwood, Watford and across North West London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down?
Pain when biting can have several causes, including tooth decay, a cracked tooth, a dental abscess, a damaged filling, gum disease, grinding or clenching, inflammation around the tooth or a wisdom tooth problem.
Does pain when biting mean I need a root canal?
Not necessarily. Root canal treatment may be required if the pulp inside the tooth is infected or significantly damaged, but biting pain can have many other causes. A dental examination is needed to determine the cause.
Why does my tooth hurt when I chew but not at other times?
Chewing puts pressure on the tooth and surrounding tissues. If the tooth or supporting tissues are cracked, inflamed, infected or otherwise affected, that pressure can trigger pain.
Can a cracked tooth cause pain when biting?
Yes. A cracked tooth can cause pain when chewing or biting, although cracks can sometimes be difficult to see.
Can tooth decay cause pain when biting?
Yes. As tooth decay progresses, it can cause toothache and sensitivity. If decay reaches the pulp, root canal treatment may be required.
Can a dental abscess cause pain when biting?
Yes. A dental abscess can cause toothache and pain when biting, often alongside swelling, a bad taste or other signs of infection.
Should I see a dentist if my tooth only hurts occasionally?
Yes, particularly if the symptom keeps returning or is becoming more noticeable. Intermittent pain can still have an underlying cause that needs assessment.
How much is a new patient check-up at Centre of Dental Excellence?
The current new-patient dental check-up offer is £75 at Centre of Dental Excellence in Stanmore.