Whenever you feel regular pain, it's a sign that something is wrong. Lasting dental pain can be a sign of various ailments which need to be treated. Dental pain can come from many different locations in your mouth. Locating the source of your dental pain will help you determine what your particular dental problem is.
The Reasons Biting Down Hurts
One reason people experience dental pain is because a condition called bruxism. Bruxism is the habitual grinding of teeth, and it can cause complications in the jaw muscles. When you constantly apply pressure to your teeth, your jaw muscles become fatigued.
If bruxism isn't corrected, it's possible to develop a condition known as TMD. TMD is a condition that affects the jaw muscles. If you feel pain when you bite down below your ear, it's possible that you suffer from Bruxism.
Another reason you may experience pain when biting down is because of an infected tooth. Infected teeth occur when bacteria in the mouth eat through the enamel and dentin of your tooth and infect the tissue underneath. Once this tissue becomes infected, the only way to remove it is to undergo a root canal procedure. If you feel pain when you bite down, and the pain is located at a single tooth, it's possible you have an infected tooth.
The final reason you may feel pain from biting down is gum irritation. Gum irritation occurs for many different reasons. If your gums are red and swollen, it's possible that you may be experiencing the early stages of gum disease.
However, it's also possible that you just brushed or flossed too hard. If irritation occurs for more than a few days, you need to contact us. Gum disease can lead to infection and tooth loss.
Please contact us if you think you may be experiencing pain from any of these ailments. The sooner we can take a look at them, the sooner you'll feel better.