Can’t Bite Down Without Pain? You Might Have A Cracked Tooth Or Nerve Issue

Do you feel a sharp jolt of pain every time you bite or chew? Pain in your tooth when you bite down can be a loud warning sign that you have inherent dental problem that need treatment —these could include a tooth that’s cracked, a nerve that’s damaged or infection in the underlying tooth or tissue.

At Whites Dental in Waterloo SE1, we treat dental emergencies like these every day. Our clinic is conveniently located near Southwark Station, just a short walk from London Bridge and Elephant and Castle, offering same-day emergency appointments for patients in pain.

Whites Dental Waterloo
📍 Location: 172 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8ER
📞 Book now: 020 8616 0590
Emergency dentist Waterloo SE1

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🦷 Why Do I Experience Pain When I Bite Down?

Tooth pain when biting is never normal. The pain can often be caused for one of the following reasons:

Cause	What It Means
Cracked tooth	Invisible or visible fractures in the enamel and dentin that expose the tooth nerve.
Nerve inflammation (pulpitis)	Caused by untreated decay, trauma or pressure to the tooth.
Dental abscess or infection	Severe bacterial buildup that can lead to pus and swelling.
Loose or broken filling/crown	Can lead to uneven bite pressure and exposure of the nerve.
Gum disease or bone loss	Gums recede and the supporting bone structure weakens, making the teeth sensitive or loose.

Key Sign: If pain occurs only when biting or chewing (especially hard foods), it’s very likely a crack or possibly a nerve-related issue.

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🔍 What Is A Cracked Tooth?

A tooth that has cracked may not always be obvious and the crack may not always be visible. However, the crack can cause sharp, intense pain. Cracks can vary in their severity:

• Craze lines (superficial, cosmetic)
• Fractured cusp (part of a filling or crown breaks off)
• Cracks into dentin/pulp (reach the nerve of the tooth)
• Split tooth (tooth is split in two—this is not restorable usually)

At Whites Dental, we use digital X-rays and optical magnification to detect cracks early, before they cause tooth loss or severe infection.

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⚡ Symptoms Of A Tooth That’s Cracked Or Problems With The Nerve

If you notice any of these signs, you may need emergency dental care:

• Sharp pain when chewing
• Pain that you experience when applying pressure to the tooth
• Increased sensitivity to hot or cold
• Swelling near your gum line
• Discomfort after biting into something hard
• Pain that radiates to the jaw, ear or temple

If it’s left untreated, a cracked tooth can lead to irreversible pulp damage and even require an extraction.

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👣 What You Should Do If You Experience Pain When You Bite

If you experience pain when you bite down on something, this is what we advise you should do:

DO:

• Call an emergency dentist right away
• Avoid chewing on the affected side of your jaw
• Rinse with warm saline water in order to reduce any inflammation that might exist
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers (avoid aspirin if you are experiencing bleeding)
• Apply a cold compress to reduce the swelling

DON’T:

• Ignore the pain you are experiencing — the pain will not go away by itself
• Continue biting down or chewing hard foods
• Attempt home remedies that aren’t approved by a dentist

We offer same-day emergency dentist appointments in Waterloo SE1. Call 020 8616 0590.

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🛠️ Emergency Treatments At Whites Dental Waterloo SE1

Once the dentist diagnoses the cause of your pain, we’ll create a personalised treatment plan. Common treatments include:

1. Cracked tooth bonding or onlay

For minor cracks, we use tooth-coloured bonding or porcelain onlays to restore the structure of the tooth and stop further damage.

2. Root canal therapy

If the crack has reached the pulp, the dentist will perform a root canal to clean the infection and preserve your tooth.

3. Dental crowns

Cracked teeth often require a crown to give it strength – for long-term protection and durability.

4. Tooth extraction (if beyond repair)

In severe cases where the tooth cannot be saved, the dentist will perform an extraction and discuss replacement options such as implants or dentures.

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💬 Real Patient Review

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“I was in excruciating pain every time I bit down. I walked into Whites Dental without an appointment and was treated within an hour. They found a cracked molar and placed a crown—no pain since! Brilliant service.”
– Rajesh P., SE1 resident

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📍 How To Reach Us – Whites Dental, Waterloo SE1

We’re just minutes from key central London locations:

Tube Stations	Walking Time
Southwark Station	2 mins
London Waterloo Station	9 mins
London Bridge Station	18 mins
Elephant & Castle Station	10 mins

Buses: 45, 63, 381
Parking: Available on Kendal Street and nearby streets and public car parks.

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💷 Emergency Appointment Prices

Treatment	Prices
Emergency Appointment	£65
Temporary Filling or Tooth Bonding	£180+
Root Canal Treatment	£350+
Porcelain Crown (if needed)	£795+
Extraction (if necessary)	£150+

• Transparent fees
• 0% finance available
• All treatment explained in advance

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🦷 In Pain When You Bite? Don’t Wait – Book Emergency Treatment Today

Delaying treatment for tooth pain when biting can lead to more serious oral health complications. Whether it’s a cracked tooth or nerve issue, our highly experienced emergency dentists in Waterloo SE1 are ready to help you—often on the same day.

Whites Dental Waterloo
📞 Call now: 020 8616 0590
📍 Visit: 172 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8ER
Appointments available Monday–Saturday. Visit our emergency dentist clinic in Waterloo.

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🔗 Related Articles

• My Tooth Feels Loose – Is That An Emergency?
• Can’t Bite Down Without Pain? You Might Have A Cracked Tooth Or Nerve Issue
• Tooth Sensitive To Hot Or Cold? It Could Be A Sign Of A Dental Emergency