Why Does It Hurt When I Chew?

When a tooth hurts, it’s hard to concentrate on anything else. It’s hard to see inside your mouth, and you can’t diagnose the problem yourself.  If you’re dealing with pain every time you chew, it gets old — fast. 

Our board-certified dentists with Central Avenue Dental are the specialists to see when you’re experiencing tooth pain. We get to the root of your discomfort and treat the problem promptly to relieve your pain. We understand the most likely reasons you might have pain when chewing. 

7 reasons it hurts to chew — and the remedies

1. A cavity

Tooth decay has decreased overall since fluoride toothpaste became ubiquitous in the 1970s. However, more than 1 in 5 adults in the United States have cavities that haven’t been filled, according to the American Dental Association. 

If your mouth hurts when you chew, you may have an untreated cavity. Hard tartar has eaten away your tooth enamel, exposing the sensitive root inside your tooth. Chewing activates the root, causing pain. 

Cavities don’t resolve on their own. You need a filling or a root canal, depending on the extent of the damage to your tooth. 

2. A cracked or chipped tooth 

Perhaps you bit down on something very hard like ice or an almond. You may have cracked a tooth. A crack can expose your tooth root, causing your pain. Likewise, if you chipped a tooth during sports or other type of accident, the tooth root may be exposed. 

If you have a large crack in a tooth, you’ll likely need a crown. For a small chip or a hairline crack, bonding the tooth might be the most efficient repair method. 

3. Gum disease 

Gum disease may be the reason that chewing causes you pain. When gum disease is severe, it’s termed periodontitis. The gums are red and swollen and start pulling away from the tooth. You may feel pain if the disease has advanced. 

If you see blood on your toothbrush more than once, call our office for an appointment. Early gum disease is easier to treat than advanced cases. Scaling and root planing may prevent the need for surgery. 

4. Tooth misalignment

If your teeth are misaligned, chewing can be painful. Perhaps you never had braces as a child. Sometimes, as you age, your teeth can start to shift, causing misalignment. 

Whatever the case, when you chew with misaligned teeth, it can make the action uncomfortable because you’re putting uneven pressure on your teeth. Clear aligners such as Invisalign or braces can be helpful if this is the issue. 

5. Sinus infection

Have you had a recent sinus infection? Pain when chewing can be a sign of a sinus infection, in addition to the more common symptoms like nasal congestion and headaches. Make sure you talk to your doctor about the possibility of a sinus infection, but get your tooth evaluated in case it’s one of the other possible issues.

6. A loose crown

Do you have one or more crowns? Pain when you chew could be from a crown that has loosened. Call our office to get your crown checked by your dentist. This can also happen with fillings and dentures. 

7. TMJ 

Have you heard of TMJ? It’s an abbreviation for the temporomandibular joint in your jaw. You could have a TMJ disorder that causes pain and exhaustion in your jawbone and muscles. 

Have you heard noises like popping or clicking when you chew? Perhaps your mouth has locked into position and you have trouble closing it sometimes. All of these are symptoms of a TMJ issue. 

Teeth clenching or grinding may cause or exacerbate your TMJ disorder. A special mouth guard may help, along with physical therapy. 

We provide emergency appointments 

Has part of your tooth fallen out when you’re eating? Perhaps you‘ve been in an accident and chipped or cracked a tooth. If you’re in pain when you chew, call our office. We structure our day to provide room for emergency dental appointments. 

Call Central Avenue Dental or book online at one of our three convenient offices serving Valley Stream and the Tribeca and Midtown East neighborhoods of Manhattan in New York City today if you’re experiencing pain when you chew.