Foods to Eat and Avoid for Tooth Pain Relief

Eating to Soothe Tooth Pain and Oral Discomfort

Tooth pain can make eating challenging. But the right foods can actually help reduce toothache discomfort and speed healing. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best dietary options for managing tooth pain along with foods to avoid.

Causes of Tooth Pain

Before getting into food remedies, let’s first look at some of the most common causes of tooth pain:

Tooth decay

Bacteria, acid, and food particles can eat away at tooth enamel leading to decay and cavities. The loss of enamel allows bacteria to infect the sensitive dentin layer under the enamel causing inflammation and toothache.

Abscesses

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in the tooth's inner layers or at the root. Abscesses cause throbbing pain as they build pressure.

Cracked or broken teeth

Fractures in the tooth structure expose nerves and make teeth extremely sensitive. Cracked teeth may hurt with biting or temperature changes.

Dental procedures

Tooth extractions, implants, fillings, and other work can cause postoperative dental pain. This discomfort is generally temporary as the area heals.

Bruxism

Clenching or grinding the teeth, especially at night, can lead to facial muscle pain and sore, sensitive teeth.

Gum disease

Gingivitis and periodontal disease cause inflammation, swelling, and tenderness in the gums. Advanced gum disease may also damage tooth roots.

General Diet Tips for Tooth Pain

Certain dietary modifications can help minimize tooth discomfort. Here are some nutrition tips for managing toothache:

• Avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, sticky foods that put pressure on sore teeth.
• Choose softer foods that are easy to bite and swallow.
• Cut food into very small pieces to reduce chewing.
• Chill foods to numb and soothe pain.
• Avoid extremely hot foods that could irritate inflamed nerves.
• Rinse with warm salt water after meals to clean food debris.
• Drink through a straw to bypass painful teeth.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers before eating if needed.

The Best Foods for Tooth Pain Relief

Along with avoiding irritating foods, incorporate more of these tooth-friendly options into your diet to nourish teeth and reduce discomfort:

Dairy

Low-fat milk, cheese, plain yogurt and cottage cheese are high in calcium and vitamin D for strengthening tooth enamel. Dairy also goes down smoothly.

Bananas

Bananas are soft, mushy, and high in potassium. Potassium helps reduce inflammation related to dental infections and abscesses.

Cooked vegetables

Well-cooked, tender vegetables like spinach, kale, carrots, broccoli and squash provide key nutrients and vitamins but don’t require much chewing.

Eggs

The soft scrambled or fried egg is an ideal tooth-friendly protein. Eggs provide vitamin D and protein to support dental health.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal gives you fiber, B vitamins, and magnesium without irritating sensitive teeth. It also contains zinc for immunity and wound healing.

Smoothies

Blend up a nutritious smoothie packed with healing ingredients like Greek yogurt, banana, mango, spinach, and nut butter. The cool consistency glides over sore spots.

Broth-based soups

Warm, salty broth soothes inflamed nerves while providing hydration. Add soft cooked noodles, lean protein, and vegetables.

Mashed potatoes

The ultimate comfort food, mashed potatoes provide energizing carbs from the starch plus potassium from the potato flesh.

Hummus

The smooth, creamy chickpea-based dip hummus offers protein, omega-3s and vitamin E to heal damaged tissue.

Applesauce

Naturally sweet, cool applesauce provides vitamin C, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and helps collagen formation.

Foods to Avoid with Tooth Pain

Steer clear of these foods when you have a toothache to prevent making symptoms worse:

• Hard candies
• Chewy caramels
• Taffy
• Toffee
• Ice cubes
• Raw vegetables
• Nuts and seeds
• Crunchy chips
• Hard crusty bread
• Popcorn
• Pizza crust
• Corn on the cob

Cold, Soft Foods Ease Tooth Pain

Temperature and texture are key when you have a toothache. Cold foods act as a natural numbing agent while soft foods require less pressure and vigorous chewing.

Some of the top cold, soft options include:

• Ice cream, milkshakes, frozen yogurt
• Applesauce, mashed banana
• Cottage cheese
• Mashed avocado
• Pureed soups
• Jello, pudding
• Oatmeal, cream of wheat
• Scrambled eggs

Avoid Sticky, Sugary Foods

Sticky sweets like candy, dried fruit, syrups, and soda can get lodged in tooth crevices. Bacteria feed on the sugar and produce enamel-eroding acid.

A few particularly sticky foods to avoid:

• Gummy candies
• Caramels
• Lollipops
• Dried fruit like raisins
• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Molasses
• Jams and jellies
• Sugary sodas and juices

Skip Hot and Cold Extremes

Temperature extremes can aggravate inflamed nerves and make tooth pain worse. Avoid these hot and cold foods:

• Carbonated drinks
• Citrus juices
• Spicy salsa
• Steaming hot soups
• Scalding coffee and tea
• Ice cream and icy drinks
• Popsicles

Avoid Crunchy, Hard Foods Requiring Chewing

Minimize chewing by avoiding crunchy, crispy, hard foods that put pressure on damaged teeth such as:

• Raw vegetables - carrots, celery, cauliflower, etc.
• Seeds and nuts
• Hard pretzels
• Dried cereals
• Granola
• Popcorn
• Hard crusty bread
• Crackers
• Tacos and nachos
• Pizza
• Corn chips

Skip Acidic, Sour Foods

High acid foods increase sensitivity and activate tooth nerve pain. Avoid these acidic options:

• Citrus fruits - oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes
• Tomatoes
• Vinegars
• Pickles
• Sour candies

Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Dental Pain Relief

Adding more anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce swelling and discomfort. These foods include:

Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, walnuts, flax and chia seeds combat inflammatory cytokines released during infections.

Tart cherries

Tart cherry juice contains antioxidants called anthocyanins with powerful anti-inflammatory abilities.

Green tea

The catechins in green tea block enzymes that trigger the inflammatory process.

Turmeric

Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric that reduces inflammatory markers linked to pain.

Ginger

Gingerols in ginger inhibit the production of inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

Garlic

Garlic contains diallyl sulfide which suppresses inflammatory cytokines.

Pineapple

Pineapple stem contains bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties that helps relieve swelling.

Avoiding Certain Drinks

Beverage choices also play a role in managing tooth discomfort. Avoid these problematic drinks:

• Alcohol - Can irritate and dry out oral tissues
• Coffee - High acidity and heat exacerbate pain
• Soda - Bubbles and acidity irritate nerves
• Citrus juices - Acid damages enamel
• Carbonation - Bubbles transmit pressure into tooth crevices

Opt for beverages that wash away debris and food particles. Drink water, herbal tea, milk and smoothies.

The Takeaway

What you eat and drink can significantly impact tooth pain symptoms. Follow a tooth-friendly diet centered around soft, smooth, cold foods to find relief. Avoid sticky, sugary, acidic, crunchy, chewy foods that put pressure on and irritate sore areas.

Focus on nourishing options like oatmeal, eggs, mashed potatoes, yogurt, soup and smoothies. And incorporate more anti-inflammatory foods and beverages into your diet. With some adjustments, you can manage dental discomfort and promote healing through proper nutrition.

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.