A toothache, which is pain or discomfort in or around a tooth, indicates an underlying problem requiring professional attention. This pain can range from a dull throb to a sharp, intense sensation, often making eating a challenge. Adjusting your diet and eating habits provides temporary relief and helps maintain necessary nutrition. These adjustments manage symptoms until you can see a dentist. The goal is to minimize stimulation of the affected area, allowing you to consume food without aggravating the pain.
Recommended Soft and Easy-to-Consume Foods
Selecting foods that require minimal to no chewing is the primary strategy for managing meals with a toothache. The best choices are those with a smooth, mushy, or pureed consistency that can be easily swallowed. Cooked cereals like oatmeal or cream of wheat provide a good base. Making them with milk instead of water can boost their nutritional value.
Protein sources are important for strength and healing. Several options are soft enough for consumption, including scrambled eggs or soft-boiled eggs. Soft-cooked, flaked fish is also an excellent choice, as it breaks down easily in the mouth. Tofu, especially the soft or silken variety, offers another easy-to-consume protein rich in minerals like calcium.
For fruits and vegetables, the focus should be on mashing or pureeing them. Applesauce, mashed bananas, and soft fruits like watermelon and blueberries are gentle options that require little effort to eat. Cooked vegetables should be steamed until very tender or pureed into a creamy soup. Examples include mashed potatoes, pureed sweet potatoes, or broth-based soups.
Dairy products and other comfort foods can also be incorporated into the diet. Yogurt, cottage cheese, and soft cheeses are gentle on the teeth and provide calcium and protein. Other satisfying options include creamy polenta, soft-cooked pasta, and puddings.
Physical Techniques for Managing Meals
The physical technique of eating plays a large role in avoiding pain flare-ups. A key adjustment is chewing exclusively on the unaffected side of the mouth, which reduces pressure on the sore area. Pair this unilateral chewing with taking very small, controlled bites to minimize jaw movement and prevent food from straying to the painful tooth.
Reduce the speed of consumption, encouraging a slow and deliberate pace throughout the meal. This mindful eating allows you to gauge discomfort and stop immediately if pain is triggered. Using a smaller spoon, such as a baby spoon, helps enforce smaller portion sizes and a slower feeding rate.
Temperature management is important, as extreme heat or cold can trigger sharp pain by stimulating an exposed or inflamed nerve. Consume foods at lukewarm or room temperature to prevent this sensitivity response. Allow hot soups to cool, and consume cold items slowly or allow them to warm slightly.
Foods and Substances to Strictly Avoid
Certain foods and substances should be entirely avoided because they can exacerbate the pain or cause physical damage to the sensitive tooth. Hard and crunchy items create significant pressure when bitten, which can aggravate the pain or even lead to a fracture. Examples include nuts, chips, crackers, hard bread crusts, and raw vegetables.
Sticky foods pose a different risk because they can adhere to the tooth’s surface and potentially pull on any loose fillings or crowns. Candies like caramel, toffee, and dried fruits are common culprits. These items can also become lodged in a cavity or between teeth, causing irritation and feeding bacteria.
Highly acidic foods and drinks can worsen a toothache by irritating exposed dentin or eroding the enamel, which increases overall sensitivity. Examples of acidic items to avoid include citrus fruits, tomatoes, and carbonated beverages. Sugary foods, such as sweets and sodas, also feed oral bacteria that produce acid, potentially worsening decay and inflammation.