One of the most annoying oral issues is toothache and it is the worst nightmare for a foodie. Neither can you speak nor eat and drink properly with a toothache. Therefore, it can weaken a person within just a few hours.
But you should definitely eat to survive. There are some soft foods & drinks you can devour without any problem while you have oral sores. Nevertheless, you should avoid foods that are hard to bite & also acidic foods.
Try to have soft fruits, yogurts, soups, pudding, muffins. Check out these foods to eat when you have a toothache and other oral issues.
Table of Content
Causes of Toothache
Toothache originates from the two main areas of the oral cavity
- The pulp, and
- The gingiva.
The Pulp
The pulp is a vital part of the tooth as it contains blood vessels and nerves. If the outer layer of the tooth (enamel) is cracked, chipped, or decayed, it exposes the next layer, dentin. Sometimes, dentin is also responsible for toothache.
If the pulp under dentin is exposed, hot and cold foods will attack the exposed nerve to induce toothache. Also, hard foods will create more pressure on pulp. Conditions that are associated with pulp that may cause toothache are
- Cavity
- Oral prophylaxis
- In the recovery period after tooth extraction
- Pulp exposure
- Tooth decay
- Abscess
- Tooth fracture
- Faulty treatment, etc.
The Gingiva
The teeth are surrounded by the gingiva or gum. If your gum faces any issues like infection, abscess, or ulcer, you will get a toothache. As gum is attached to the tooth, when it becomes irritated, it also affects the tooth.
Symptoms of Toothache
Along with pain and irritation, few symptoms indicate you might be suffering from toothache. The symptoms will vary in individuals depending on the causes of toothache.
The most common symptoms are
- Tooth pain immediately once the gum becomes swollen or inflamed
- Throbbing and sharp pain
- Tooth sensitivity
- Headache and fever
- Bad taste
- Tooth pain during mastication
- Tooth pain while consuming cold or hot drinks or foods, etc.
If you feel some of these symptoms and start suffering from these continuously, it will be wise to consult with a dentist.
Foods To Eat When You Have A Toothache
You can easily get rid of toothache by changing your food habit. There are some foods and drinks that can effectively reduce tooth pain and give you relief. Even the doctors recommend soft food to reduce toothache or any dental issues.
But remember, it is only a temporary solution, you must go to the dentist as soon as possible, otherwise the condition may get worse.
Here are some food options that may help with your toothache:
Milk and Dairy Products
Milk and dairy products are the best foods to eat when you have a toothache. Yogurts, milk, and cheese usually don’t create any disturbance while eating. Also, these foods are soft and can sip through your mouth without inducing pain.
If the toothache persists and you need to calm down the stomach, these foods are ideal for you. Also, the calcium content of milk and milk products is the most significant element to repair the enamel. If you are concerned about what to drink when you have a toothache, the solution is milk at room temperature.
Pasta
You will find pasta in this list as it is soft and great food to reduce toothache. You don’t need to chew much and so the tooth undergoes less pressure. That’s why it does not induce tooth pain while keeping the stomach full for a long time.
Try to avoid eating hot pasta as the temperature can provoke pain by irritating the nerves. Pasta of normal room temperature is a healthy option for toothache.
By the way, a few of my patients asked ‘can we eat rice in toothache’. My suggestion is to avoid them as rice sticks to the teeth. If you are a die-hard rice fan, go with the soft version.
Pureed Meat
You should not skip protein intake while having a toothache. Continue taking beef in a different way to avoid toothache. Meat puree with a mild spice can be a good option for you. Eat the meat while it is warm.
The spoon sometimes clunks on your affected tooth and it becomes harder to calm the tooth. To avoid this situation, you can use a plastic spoon or a one-time spoon.
Sponge Cakes
Soft sponge cakes are a great food option for toothache. Pancakes may feel a little harder and may feel sticky to the tooth, so it is better to eat sponge cakes instead of pancakes.
They have a fluffy and soft texture that makes them easier to consume. Avoid toppings and much sugar content in the cake as they can induce pain. Alternatively, you can eat yogurt or milk with cake.
Potatoes
Talking about vegetables, you can eat mashed veggies, like mashed potatoes. It is one of the foods to eat when you have a toothache that needs the least effort to intake. It is an ideal food for children during the eruption.
You don’t need to chew mashed veggies, so they won’t create pressure to initiate pain. But be careful enough to mash the veggies thoroughly and make sure there are no lumps left behind. Also, avoid adding too much spice or salt to it.
Banana
Soft fruits like banana, pineapple, watermelon are easily chewable. You can cut them into small pieces and eat them, or can make their juice and drink it. They won’t induce tooth pain.
Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs are full of nutrients for the human body and it also doesn’t create any problem with your tooth. Also, an egg can keep your stomach full for a long time.
Also, there are some other foods you can try
These are some of the food to reduce toothache. Try to cut the food items into smaller pieces so that they can be easily cooked and chewed. Also, cook the food until they are seething properly and becomes soft.
If you have a severe toothache, use a blender and make the food into a smooth paste-like form, and don’t delay going to the dentist.
What To Avoid To Minimize Toothache
Certain foods and drinks can make your toothache worse. They will provoke toothache even if you are maintaining a strict routine and medication. To avoid this situation, you will need to say goodbye to some food items. Let’s check what foods to avoid when you have an infected tooth or toothache.
- Citrus fruits or their juices, like orange, lemon, and grapes. They contain a large amount of citric acid that will corrode the enamel and promote toothache.
- Vinegar, like apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. They are also acids that will corrode the enamel.
- Spicy foods: Irritate the gingiva.
- Salty foods: Irritate the gingiva.
- Meat: Stuck between two tooths and promote toothache.
- Foods or drinks with high alkaline content, like soda pop, coffee. They can also corrode enamel.
- Candy and chocolates: Stuck with the enamel and produce lactic acid which is harmful to enamel.
- Dried fruits: Stuck with enamel and cause pain.
- Alcohol: Reduce salivary secretion. The sugar content of alcohol works like candy and causes toothache.
- Bread and potatoes: Leave a layer of residue on the tooth surface that may cause pain.
- Raw vegetables, granola also may cause toothache.
- Hard foods: Difficult to chew and may create pressure on the affected tooth.
One thing to notice, different people will face problems with different types of foods and drinks. It will vary from person to person what foods to eat when you have a toothache and what foods to avoid when you have swollen gums.
However, if you want to eat or drink something that hurts your tooth, then I have quick tips for you. Brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking to avoid any unpleasant issues caused by the food or drink. It will help you to prevent toothache.
When Should You Look For A Dentist?
The modified food routine may not work for you and there are reasons behind it, too. If the tooth condition becomes worse, or if the toothache lasts more than two days, then you may need some medication.
Usually, people feel severe pain if the filling materials come out from the cavity. In that case, a proper diet plan won’t work, you will need immediate medical support. Also, if your tooth is fractured because of a sudden accident, the pain won’t stop by changing food habits.
However, even if you can reduce toothache by maintaining oral hygiene, you should consult with a dentist. A dentist will guide you properly to prevent further damage to the tooth.
FAQ
What are the effective painkillers for a toothache?
The painkiller that reduces inflammation from the traumatized area is best for your mouth. That’s why NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as naproxen, ibuprofen, etc. are the most prescribed painkillers. They particularly work against toothache.
How to reduce nerve pain in the tooth?
Nerve pain is something that always needs the attention of a doctor. But if you want a temporary solution, you can follow these steps
- Clean your mouth,
- Use ice for swelling,
- Use gauze to stop bleeding,
- Eat tooth friendly-foods and drinks,
- Pain medication.
What can reduce dolorous tooth pain?
To reduce tooth pain temporarily, you can try some of the following steps
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater,
- Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide,
- You can apply peppermint tea bags to the affected area,
- A cold compress can reduce toothache,
- Garlic, clove, guava leaves, vanilla extract are also helpful to reduce toothache.
What will happen if I ignore the toothache?
If you ignore toothache, the tooth decay will persist and will spread to the pulp of the tooth. It will later infect the nerves and vessels. There will be no option left except root canal treatment if the pulp gets involved.
If the toothache is caused by an abscess, it will affect the soft tissues of your mouth, too. If it is left untreated, multiple issues can appear in the future.
How long will my tooth infection last?
Usually, the symptoms go away following a couple of doses. After that, you will get relief from the dolorous tooth pain. However, you should not stop taking antibiotics when the toothache is gone.
You must complete the full antibiotic course, otherwise, the infection will come back or will become stronger. According to the International Dental Journal, acute infections usually resolve within 3-7 days.
Conclusion
There are a lot of foods to eat when you have a toothache that won’t do anything wrong with your teeth, and will also give you proper nutrition. Try the foods and drinks I’ve compiled here, you will find them helpful while having a toothache.
These foods can be a great temporary solution to calm down your irritated tooth. Also, use a good quality toothpaste, toothbrush, and mouthwash to maintain oral hygiene to avoid any tooth problems.
