Medically Reviewed by Dr. Mohit Bodhwani (BDS, MDS - Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics)

Pain that comes only when you chew or bite is a useful clue. It points to a problem in the tooth or the tissues holding it, and it usually needs a dentist to find the exact cause. As an endodontist, I see this often at The Smile Makers Dental Clinic in Khar West, Mumbai.

Written by Dr. Mohit Bodhwani (Endodontist), The Smile Makers Dental Clinic, Khar West, Mumbai.

Common causes of pain on biting

• A cracked or fractured tooth. Pain is sharp when you release the bite, and cold or sweet things may also hurt.
• Infection at the root tip, which makes the tooth tender to touch and chewing.
• A cavity that has reached the nerve.
• A filling or crown that sits slightly high and takes extra force.
• Gum disease or an abscess in the gum beside the tooth.
• Teeth grinding, which strains the tooth and its ligament.
• Sinus pressure, which can make upper back teeth ache.

How to tell what it might be

You cannot diagnose it yourself, but these clues help your dentist:

• Does it hurt as you bite, or when you release?
• Is there lingering pain after hot or cold?
• Is there swelling, a pimple on the gum or a bad taste?
• Did it begin after a new filling or crown?

Tests such as tapping, a cold test and an X-ray usually identify the source.

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid chewing on that side, stay away from very hard food, and keep the area clean. Do not keep testing the tooth by biting on it. If there is swelling, fever or a bad taste, see the dentist without delay. Our post on managing severe toothache at home has more safe steps.

How it is treated

• High filling or crown: a quick adjustment of the bite.
• Cracked tooth: depending on the crack, a crown, a root canal or, in severe cases, extraction.
• Root infection: root canal treatment to clean the infected canals.
• Grinding: a night guard and bite review.

The earlier a crack or infection is found, the more likely the tooth can be kept.

When to see a dentist

If the pain lasts more than a day or two, wakes you at night, or comes with swelling, book a visit. Learn the warning signs in 7 signs you may need a root canal. A check-up is Rs 1,500 onwards at our clinic, and the cost of any treatment is explained before we start. Fees are on the fees page.

Frequently asked questions

Can a cracked tooth heal by itself?

No. Unlike bone, a tooth cannot repair a crack. It needs assessment, and sometimes protection with a crown.

Is pain on biting always a root canal problem?

No. A high filling or a gum problem can cause it too. Examination decides.

Will an X-ray show a crack?

Not always. A fine crack can be missed on an X-ray, so your dentist combines tests and findings.

Can I wait it out?

It is safer not to. Pain on biting usually means something needs treatment.

This article is general information based on our clinical experience and is not a substitute for an examination. Every tooth and every patient is different, so outcomes vary and cannot be guaranteed. If you have pain, swelling or fever, please see a dentist.

To book a visit, call +91 98190 39311 or message us on WhatsApp.

The clinic is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and closed on Sunday. See our fees and our Smile Gallery.