Sharp Pain in Tooth when Chewing Gum

Have you ever experienced sudden pain in your tooth when you started eating or chewing gum? These sharp pains can catch you off guard, leaving you unsure of what caused them. Sometimes, it may just be sensitivity that fades quickly. However, it’s not something that should just be ignored. It is important to consider what could be causing this pain to prevent anything worse from arising. Today we will discuss what could be causing this discomfort and how Sandcreek Dental can help.

Possible Causes and Symptoms

There are a few different possibilities that could be causing a sharp pain in your tooth when you chew gum. The duration of chewing gum is typically longer than chewing food, so it is important to notice how long the pain persists.

Cracked Tooth

A common reason for sharp tooth pain is from a crack in the tooth. These can be hard to spot, especially if it is a hairline crack. Symptoms can also come and go depending on when the exposed nerve becomes aggravated. This can be caused by grinding teeth or trauma to the teeth from something hard. Some symptoms include:

• Sharp pain in a specific area
• Sensitivity to sugar or temperature changes
• Inconsistent toothaches
• Swollen gums

Cavity

A cavity occurs when areas of the tooth decay and cause tiny holes or openings in the tooth. This can ruin the enamel of your teeth if not treated properly. Cavities often occur from excess sugar or poor oral hygiene. In some cases, symptoms are hard to detect if the cavity is minor, but common signs include:

• Major sensitivity
• Pain when eating or chewing on the area
• Bad breath
• Small stains on the teeth
• Visible holes

Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection that affects the health of your gums and teeth. This is usually caused by bad oral hygiene, smoking, or genetics. Unhealthy gums can lead to tooth pain as they fail to provide adequate support for the teeth. Symptoms include:

• Bleeding or swollen gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth

Dental Abscess

An abscess occurs when pus builds up underneath the gums and teeth from an infection. This usually happens when a cavity goes untreated. Some signs you may be experiencing an abscess are:

• Pain in the jaw
• Bad breath
• Intense toothache
• Swollen lymph nodes

Treatments

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms along with feeling sharp pain in your tooth when you chew gum, it’s time to see a dentist. They will conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment. At Sandcreek Dental, we offer treatments such as:

Crowns: A crown can be placed over a tooth to repair and protect it from further damage.
Fillings: Fillings can help fix minor cracks or cavities to promote good oral health.
Root Canals: If the damage is more severe and there is a lot of dead tissue in the tooth, that can be extracted and replaced with a filling to repair the tooth and prevent infection.

Maintain Good Oral Health

Even after treatment, it is important to take care of your oral health at home to prevent damage and feeling sharp pain when chewing gum. To keep your teeth and gums healthy:

• Brush and floss regularly
• Avoid extremely hard or sticky foods
• Limit sugar – many of these problems involve sensitivity to sugar, so try chewing sugar-free gum

If you are experiencing sharp pain in your tooth when chewing gum or anything else, come see us at Sandcreek Dental. We will help you get to the root of the pain and help alleviate it. We want you to get back to pain-free chewing! Contact us today with any questions or concerns you may have.