Why Does My Tooth Hurt When I Bite? Causes of Tooth Pain When Chewing and How a Torrance Dentist Can Help
Have you ever taken a bite of your favorite food and felt a sudden sharp pain in your tooth? Tooth pain that only appears when chewing or biting is a common dental problem, but it usually signals an underlying issue that shouldn’t be ignored. Many patients in Torrance and Lomita search for answers like “tooth hurts when biting” or “tooth pain when chewing”—and the solution often requires professional dental care.
At Lomita Torrance Dental, our team helps patients identify the exact cause of biting pain and provides gentle, effective treatment to restore comfort and prevent further damage.
1. Cracked or Fractured Teeth
One of the most common reasons teeth hurt when biting is a crack or fracture. Even a small crack can let pressure reach the sensitive inner layers of the tooth, causing sharp, stabbing pain when you chew.
Solution: Our dentists can repair the tooth with bonding, a crown, or, if needed, a root canal to prevent the crack from worsening.
2. Worn or Loose Fillings
Older fillings may loosen over time or develop gaps, allowing food and bacteria to reach sensitive areas. Chewing on these teeth can trigger sudden discomfort.
Treatment: We can replace or repair damaged fillings to restore your bite and protect your tooth from further decay.
3. Tooth Grinding (Bruxism)
Grinding or clenching your teeth, especially at night, puts extra pressure on teeth. This can cause small cracks, enamel wear, and pain when biting down.
Solution: A custom night guard or other protective treatment can prevent further damage and relieve pressure-induced pain.
4. Bite Misalignment or Occlusion Problems
If your teeth don’t come together properly, some teeth may take more force than others when chewing, causing sharp pain or sensitivity in specific areas.
Treatment: Our dentists evaluate your bite and recommend solutions like selective reshaping, orthodontics, or restorative care to balance your bite.
5. Sensitive Teeth from Enamel Erosion
Enamel erosion from acidic foods, beverages, or aggressive brushing can expose the dentin layer, leading to pain when pressure is applied while chewing.
Solution: Desensitizing treatments, fluoride applications, or dental bonding can protect sensitive areas and reduce discomfort.
6. Sinus Pressure (Upper Teeth)
Sometimes, the culprit isn’t even the tooth itself. Sinus infections or pressure in the upper sinus cavities can create pain that feels like it’s coming from your upper molars when biting.
When to Seek Help: If sinus-related pain persists, our dentists can examine your teeth to rule out dental causes and coordinate care with your physician.
When to See a Dentist
Pain that only occurs when biting is rarely normal. Early evaluation can prevent bigger problems, like cracks turning into fractures, cavities worsening, or infections developing.
At Lomita Torrance Dental, we provide same-day emergency appointments, bite evaluations, and restorative care to relieve tooth pain and restore your smile.
👉 Don’t wait for the pain to get worse—schedule an appointment today and let our experts help you chew comfortably again.
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