Why Do My Teeth Hurt After Running? Guide To Throbbing & Sore Teeth

Nothing is more annoying and painful than throbbing and sore teeth. Unfortunately, many runners experience this after running, and it can happen regularly and sometimes for multiple hours. So why do my teeth hurt after running?

In this article, we look at why you may experience tooth pain after a run and the main reasons behind it.

Why Do My Teeth Hurt After Running?

There are many reasons why your teeth might hurt after running. Some of these include:

– Contracting your jaws too much
– Grinding your teeth when you run
– Cold weather
– Infection/cavity
– Blocked sinuses
– Increased blood flow
– Poor Posture

Although there are multiple reasons behind tooth pain, one of the most common reasons is increased blood flow. As you run, the increase in blood flow builds pressure within the sinuses. This can then lead to increased pressure on the teeth and gums. Unfortunately, this can leave the runner with mild pain and throbbing after a run, which can sometimes last up to an hour.

For runners that already have an infection or cavity, the extra pressure applied by the increased blood flow can cause the infected area or cavity to hurt long after a run.

However, if the increase in blood flow is not the issue and you experience moderate pain, you may be grinding your teeth when you run. Although it is usually more prevalent in beginner runners, it can happen to any level of runner. The runners that experience this often find they struggle to relax the jaw and face when running, often gritting their teeth as they run. This can then lead to moderate tooth pain after a run and can wear down tooth enamel.

Last but not least is running posture, and although not a widely common cause of tooth pain, it can affect a small number of runners.

Runners that favor one side more than the other as they run can sometimes find it can exacerbate pressure on your teeth. Other symptoms such as TMJ syndrome can also cause pain during and after running.

For other runners, weather conditions can have a large effect on their teeth after a run. So read on to find out more.

What Causes Teeth To Hurt When Running in the Cold?

During the winter months, it is common for the runner to experience more pain in the teeth than during the summer.

Cold sensitivity affects multiple runners each year. Typically runners that have cavities or grind their teeth are more sensitive to the cold than others. Other factors may include brushing the teeth too hard or too often, resulting in worn-down teeth similar to the effects of grinding the teeth.

However, there are a few ways to combat this. First, start by try breathing through the nose instead of the mouth. Doing so will restrict the amount of cold air entering the mouth.

Another way is to wear a face mask similar to the AirTrim. These masks can vary the air temperature entering the mouth via filters.

While there are some solutions to limit cold air entering the mouth, one thing harder to control is the expansion and contraction of teeth. As the temperature changes, the teeth start to contract and expand just like any other material, causing micro-cracks within the teeth. Luckily this doesn’t affect tooth structure, but it can cause the runner discomfort during cold weather.

Other factors that can increase sensitivity in teeth during the winter months include:

– Brushing teeth too hard
– Grinding of the teeth
– Break down of enamel
– Cracks
– Cavities

If you regularly experience tooth pain when running in the cold and non of the above solutions work, contact your dentist to see why your teeth are so sensitive to the cold.

 

What Causes Teeth To Tingle When Running?

For runners that aren’t affected by tooth pain after or during a run, they may still experience a tingling sensation when exercising.

The tingling sensation comes from the increased blood pressure as you run. It then causes your gums to press harder against your teeth, thus causing a tingling sensation.

Usually, this is more relevant during more intense workouts as the blood flow increases. While the tingling sensation during or after a run is typically not dangerous, it is still worth getting checked out by a dentist. Doing so will make sure you don’t have any underlying problems that can affect nerve damage later down the line.

Summary

If your teeth hurt after running and or you feel a throbbing or tingling sensation during a run, make sure to book in with a qualified dentist.

Tooth pain, whether caused by running or not, can have serious impact on your performance and health. So it is important not to leave your teeth untreated as it may affect your next event.

Make sure to check out our article on chewing gum while running. Many runners use gum as a way to help relax their jaw when running. Preventing grinding of the teeth and distributing blood flow around the gums.