Don’t ignore any toothaches or other warning signs! It won’t go away on its own. From sensitive teeth to pain while biting, learn how Marsfield Dental Clinic can diagnose and treat your teeth.
Yes, chewing too hard can send you to the dental clinic! If you eat a lot of hard nuts or candy, or even chew on ice cubes, this action involves a lot of teeth grinding. This force will put extra pressure on the ligaments that attach the teeth to the jawbone, leading to dull toothache and pain during biting. This issue can grow over the long term, or happen in an acute event such as biting down suddenly on an olive pip or unpopped popcorn. Try to eat softer foods and take care when you are chewing.
When chewing, all your teeth should bite together, at the same time, with an even distribution of the pressure. If your bite isn’t even, you may be putting too much stress on those teeth that are the first to feel the impact. The ligament underneath will get bruised and sore. Like any wear and tear, overuse can lead to damage over time. Our dentists can measure the occlusion of your bite, diagnose where you may have an under- or over-bite, and adjust it by grinding down on select areas.
Sometimes an uneven bite isn’t due to the natural set of your teeth, but from improper dental treatments. If you have dental fillings or crowns that are sitting too high, you will feel the extra pressure there when you bite down.
Do you have rotten and decayed teeth, or even pus and inflammation due to a bacterial infection in the tooth pulp? Dental cavities and abscesses will make your teeth sensitive to biting, as food can get stuck in the cavities and the nerves may be irritated. If your teeth feel sensitive after eating sweet food, this points to a cavity, which may need dental fillings to fill this gap. A sharper, stabbing pain could indicate an abscess or a cracked tooth. A dental abscess will need to be addressed with a root canal surgery, to remove the infected pulp or even the whole tooth, while a cracked tooth will need an x-ray diagnosis.
Swollen, bleeding or gingival (receding) gums could indicate infection, inflammation and periodontal disease. You may notice teeth sensitivity. If the infection spreads to the ligament, that would lead to symptoms of dull or throbbing pain when biting. If you are diagnosed with gum infection, some steps you can take yourself include proper brushing and flossing of the area, as well as an anti-bacterial rinse, to try to clear out the infection. However, if you have extensive tartar deposits due to plaque being left long-term and allowed to mineralise, you will need professional treatment. Our dentists will remove the infection and tartar, calm down the inflamed tissue, protect the exposed roots of teeth, and help prevent infection from recurring.
Let the dentists at Marsfield Dental Clinic diagnose and treat your teeth. Book your appointment online or over the phone.
Disclaimer – This blog article does not constitute health advice from a dental professional. For more specific information, please seek an appointment with a dentist.
"The information in this website may be simplified in nature and does not replace professional advice. Risks and consequences may apply to any treatment. Always seek a second opinion when considering complex treatment. A referral to a specialist may be required in certain situations. Quotations can only be given after proper clinical assessment and so pricing details cannot be given over the phone."
COVID 19 Update - Oct 2021
All our members of staff - Dentists and supporting assistants - are fully vaccinated. We are a COVID-safe practice and we are open for all general dental treatment needs and services.
