Best Foods to Eat and Avoid with Toothache Pain

Understanding Toothache Pain

Toothaches result from issues like tooth decay, gum disease, injuries, or teething which cause inflammation and pain signals to the brain. While seeing a dentist is recommended, home remedies can temporarily relieve discomfort until dental treatment is possible.

Common Causes of Toothaches

Damage, pressure, or inflammation anywhere in the tooth or surrounding tissue can trigger toothache pain. Common culprits include:

• Cavities
• Cracked or broken teeth
• Abscesses
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Gingivitis
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)

Symptoms Beyond Mouth Pain

Depending on the cause, toothaches may also cause:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Swollen gums
• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Headaches
• Sinus pressure
• Earaches
• Bad breath

The Best and Worst Foods for a Toothache

When dealing with mouth pain, being mindful of what you eat and drink can prevent further irritation while helping you meet nutritional needs.

Foods to Avoid with Tooth Pain

Steer clear of foods that could exacerbate toothache discomfort like:

• Extreme hot or cold foods
• Spicy foods with chili peppers or horseradish
• Acidic items like citrus fruits, tomatoes, vinegar
• Crunchy foods requiring lots of chewing like nuts, raw veggies
• Sticky and chewy foods like caramel, gum, bread
• Hard foods like candies or ice cubes
• Carbonated drinks which cause stinging sensations

Best Foods to Eat with Toothaches

Focus on nutrient-dense foods that won't bother sensitive teeth like:

• Soft cooked vegetables, grains, beans, lentils, eggs
• Ripe peeled fruits like bananas, melon, peeled applesauce
• Broths, soups, smoothies, nutritional shakes
• Plain dairy like yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream
• Ground or pureed meats
• Room temperature or slightly cool foods

Soothing Food Remedies for Toothache Relief

Beyond avoiding irritating foods, you can eat and drink certain things to help manage oral pain naturally while awaiting professional dental treatment.

Cold Compresses

Hold a cold cloth, chilled spoon, ice pack wrapped in towel on the aching area to constrict blood vessels, lowering pressure and inflammation. Do not place ice directly on skin.

Salt Water Rinse

Gargling with warm salt water draws out fluid, cleanses debris, and reduces swelling and pain. Stir 1/2 teaspoon salt into a cup of warm water and rinse mouth gently.

Clove Oil

Derived from flower buds, clove oil offers numbing and antibacterial effects. Soak a cotton ball and gently swab directly on the troublesome tooth and gum.

Garlic

Rich in pain-fighting compounds, raw garlic can be crushed and added to foods or placed near an aching tooth to alleviate sensitivity.

Onion

Much like garlic, fresh onion contains anti-inflammatory quercetin. Place thin slice directly on tooth or gum and leave for 30 minutes before discarding.

Foods to Eat While Recovering from Dental Procedures

After professional dental treatments to resolve tooth decay, infections, or injuries, eating soothing nutritious foods aids the healing process.

Soft Diet After Oral Surgery

Following extractions or implants, stick with a soft food diet to allow mouth tissue to mend without irritation. Favor nutrient-dense pureed fruits, vegetables, protein shakes, oatmeal, eggs, soups, yogurt.

Cold Foods Post Fillings

New dental fillings can make teeth sensitive to heat and pressure. Choose cool smoothies, ice cream, cottage cheese, gelatin, and room temperature meals until discomfort resolves.

Nutritious Drinks When Chewing Hurts

If recovering from procedures like root canals, drink supplementary nutrition like homemade smoothies. Blend Greek yogurt, banana, spinach, peanut butter, milk for protein, vitamins, minerals.

When to Seek Emergency Dental Care for Tooth Pain

While home remedies can temporarily soothe mouth discomfort, prompt professional help is vital with certain red flags like:

• Unbearable or worsening pain
• Facial swelling
• Bleeding, pus, redness
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Numbness in mouth or face
• Headache, earache, neck/jaw pain
• Tooth pain from injury or fall

Do not delay emergency dental treatment for infections, knocked out teeth, possible fractures, or nerve issues.

Seeing a Dentist for Ongoing Tooth Pain Issues

Even mild but persistent tooth sensitivity or pain should be examined by a dentist to determine the underlying problem and recommended solution. Catching problems early prevents extensive damage.

Do not let toothaches linger untreated. Seek professional help within a few days for decay, gum disease, chipped teeth, and other problems causing oral discomfort.

The Takeaway

Managing tooth sensitivity and pain starts with avoiding foods that aggravate mouth issues and eating soft, cool, nutritious items instead. While home remedies can temporarily provide relief, do seek professional dental care promptly for evaluation and treatment.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.