--- title: "A Bruised Tooth: What is It and What to Do About It?" description: Experiencing a dull, lingering pain in your tooth? It might be a bruised tooth. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options in this informative blog post. image: https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hubfs/GSD-Bruised-Sprained-Tooth-Blog-12.19.23-2.jpeg --- [![Golden State](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hubfs/GSD_October2018/images/header.png?t=1541073636630)](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/) - [Home](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com) - [About](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/about) - [Our Team](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/our-team) - [Office Tour](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/office-tour) - [Careers](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/careers) - [Our Services](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/services) - [General Dentistry](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/services-general-dentistry) - [Cosmetic Dentistry](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/services-cosmetic-dentistry) - [Emergency Care](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/services-emergency-care) - [Your Visit](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/your-visit) - [Payment Plans](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/cherry-payment-plans) - [Technology](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/technology) - [Blog](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/contact) # A Bruised Tooth: What is It and What to Do About It? December 19, 2023 ![GSD-Bruised-Sprained-Tooth-Blog-12.19.23-2](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GSD-Bruised-Sprained-Tooth-Blog-12.19.23-2.jpeg?width=300&height=175&name=GSD-Bruised-Sprained-Tooth-Blog-12.19.23-2.jpeg)If you've ever bitten down on a fork or a hard food, you may be familiar with the dull, lingering pain that comes after. What you may be experiencing is a bruised tooth (also known as sprained tooth syndrome), where the ligaments of your teeth are sprained, damaged, or inflamed. ## Causes of a Bruised Tooth A bruised tooth occurs when tooth ligaments become aggravated from too much pressure or a hard bite; the pain is often mistaken for a common toothache. There are a number of ways you can get a bruised tooth, including: - Clenching your teeth - Grinding your teeth at night ([bruxism](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/symptoms-of-teeth-grinding-or-bruxism)) - Biting on hard foods - Nail biting - Dental surgeries or procedures (e.g. [root canal](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/5-ways-to-tell-that-you-may-need-a-root-canal)) - Overfilled or underfilled tooth cavity - Tooth infection - Trauma from small objects, such as bones, seeds, kernels, or ice - Sinus problems, such as allergies or a cold ## Symptoms of a Bruised Tooth The most noticeable symptom of a bruised tooth is a dull, achy pain that won't go away. This is usually a clear indication of a ligament sprain. Some people may also experience a sharp, localized pain in one tooth. However, if the pain is hard to pinpoint, it is most likely an infection or a common toothache due to dental disease (e.g. [gum disease](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/5-signs-you-may-have-gum-disease) or [tooth decay](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/10-common-causes-of-a-toothache-and-suggested-treatment-options)).  Other common symptoms of a bruised tooth include: - Discoloration/Darkening of the tooth - Sensitivity - Inflammation - Redness - Gum bleeding - Soreness A bruised tooth is usually not a medical emergency and can heal on its own within a few days, but if the pain persists, [consulting a dentist](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/contact) is recommended.  ## Treatment of a Bruised Tooth Here is what you can do if you think you have a bruised tooth: 1\. Rest and try to avoid chewing on the affected tooth. 2\. Rinse your mouth with cold water to help numb the affected area. Drinking a cool beverage can also provide relief. 3\. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to your cheek or lips if any swelling occurs. It can help reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process. 4\. Take some over-the-counter pain medication.  5\. If the pain persists or you notice any signs of infection, it's best to consult your [trusted Walnut Creek dentist.](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/) We'll ensure everything is alright and provide any necessary treatment.  Call us to schedule an appointment: (925) 705-7093 or request an appointment online.  [![Schedule an appointment](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4845087/8d3f000a-f8ef-4206-a1fa-9bdb47144fd3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4845087/8d3f000a-f8ef-4206-a1fa-9bdb47144fd3) Tags: [oral health](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/oral-health) [TMJ](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/tmj) [dental health](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/dental-health) [toothache](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/toothache) [tooth sensitivity](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/tooth-sensitivity) [bleeding gums](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/bleeding-gums) [discoloration](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/discoloration) [bruised tooth](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/tag/bruised-tooth) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fa-bruised-tooth-what-is-it-and-what-to-do-about-it%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fa-bruised-tooth-what-is-it-and-what-to-do-about-it%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fa-bruised-tooth-what-is-it-and-what-to-do-about-it%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fa-bruised-tooth-what-is-it-and-what-to-do-about-it%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fa-bruised-tooth-what-is-it-and-what-to-do-about-it%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fa-bruised-tooth-what-is-it-and-what-to-do-about-it%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstatedentistry.com%2Fblog%2Fa-bruised-tooth-what-is-it-and-what-to-do-about-it%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Featured Posts ## [![Scalloped Tongue: Causes and Treatment](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GSD-Scalloped-Tongue-Causes-and-Treatment-Blog-01.27.2210.21.21%20(1).jpg?width=712&name=GSD-Scalloped-Tongue-Causes-and-Treatment-Blog-01.27.2210.21.21%20(1).jpg) Scalloped Tongue: Causes and Treatment January 27, 2022](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/scalloped-tongue-causes-treatment) ## [![A Bruised Tooth: What is It and What to Do About It?](https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GSD-Bruised-Sprained-Tooth-Blog-12.19.23-2.jpeg?width=712&name=GSD-Bruised-Sprained-Tooth-Blog-12.19.23-2.jpeg) A Bruised Tooth: What is It and What to Do About It? 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