Why do I have intermitant pain on chewing?

Many patients ask me about this and think this sensitivity means they have a cavity. Usually, no cavity is involved but instead they are experiencing Cracked Tooth Syndrome, and x-rays probably won't show the problem either. Sometimes by looking at the tooth with magnification cracks are visible on a particular tooth, sometimes not. It is helpful to me if the patient is aware in the mouth the pain is coming from. Sometimes,patients find that the "cue tip test" is helpful. I ask them to place a cue tip in their mouth and bite on it in various positions until the can stimulate the discomfort. Often they find the tooth that is causing their "wincing" pain on chewing. If they look in the mouth while the cue tip is in the proper position they can find which tooth is bothering them and report it to me. I often use this technique in the office to help me locate the offending tooth.