Understand the Causes of Tooth Sensitivity When Chewing By belldental on November 22, 2016

Tooth sensitivity can range from mild, occasional pain, to severe pain every time you chew or bite down. This pain can be frustrating and can make it impossible to enjoy the foods you love. Severe tooth sensitivity is likely the result of decay or damage and will require a restorative dentistry treatment to eliminate pain and restore your oral health. If you are experiencing pain, our dentists can assess the situation to determine the cause of tooth sensitivity when chewing. Our Lake Jackson, TX, office is well equipped to diagnose and treat a variety of causes of tooth sensitivity.

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

The causes of tooth sensitivity can range from eroded enamel to more serious and painful conditions such as exposed tooth roots. Typically if you are experiencing pain when chewing or biting down, the cause may include one of the following:

A cavity that has become infected
An injury such as a crack in the tooth
A damaged filling
Gum recession exposing vulnerable tooth roots

Other causes of general tooth sensitivity may include applying too much pressure when brushing or using a toothbrush with bristles that are too stiff. Use of over-the-counter whitening products and eating or drinking a lot of acidic foods can also contribute to tooth sensitivity.

Symptoms of Tooth Sensitivity

The pain may come and go, or you may experience it only when you eat certain foods. In other cases, you might experience pain when you bite down in a certain way. In many cases, the act of chewing, or putting pressure on the sensitive tooth, can cause extreme pain. Even if you are only experiencing occasional sensitivity, you should still make an appointment to see your dentist. You could have a cavity or other damage, and the sooner you seek treatment, the better chance we have at saving the tooth.

Preventing and Treating Tooth Sensitivity

As with most dental conditions, the best course of action is prevention. By properly caring for your teeth and gums and scheduling regular exams and cleanings, you can avoid many of the conditions that lead to tooth sensitivity. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity when chewing, the particular treatment you receive will depend on the cause.

Our dentists will thoroughly examine your teeth and jaw to locate the decayed or damaged tooth causing you pain. From there, they can assess the extent of damage and determine the best course of treatment. Your treatment options may include:

Root canal therapy for an infected tooth
A filling or crown to repair a cracked tooth
A new restoration to replace a damaged filling
A deep cleaning or gum surgery to repair receded gums

Unfortunately, in some cases, the tooth is too decayed or damaged to save with any of the above treatments. If this happens, we can extract the tooth and replace it with a dental implant and a crown. This will not only restore the appearance and function of your bite, but will also improve your oral health and prevent bone loss.