Q&A with Dr. Deeds: What foods can I eat with dental pain?

Dealing with a sore tooth or gums, dental infection, or TMJ are some of the most difficult symptoms.

If you are dealing with a sore mouth or gums, or have issues chewing, it can be hard to figure out how to eat healthy. You will quickly get sick of yogurt, ice cream, and mashed potatoes!

Below are a few simple ideas for breakfast and dinner that our nutritious, but also soft and easy to eat - no teeth required.

Recipes for Dental Pain

Breakfast

• Eggs: Try this cheesy scrambles eggs, add some fresh chopped chives, green onions, or other herbs for additional flavor.

• Oatmeal: The options are endless when it comes to oatmeal toppings, try soft fruit like bananas, blackberries, and protein like yogurt or peanut butte.

• Smoothies: Smoothies are another way to use whatever fruits (and vegetables) you like, while getting plenty of fiber and protein with additions of yogurt and peanut butter.

Dinner

• Soups: The possibilities with soup are endless. Try this broccoli & cheese, butternut squash, or black bean nachos soup recipes, all under 20 minutes each.

• Mashed Potato Alternative: You won't often see me recommend potatoes, but colorful sweet potatoes are a great option - Sweet potato cauliflower

• Shepard's Pie: A full dinner in one pan. Shepard's Pie Recipe.

And there you have it. These are just a few ideas to get you started. If you are having tooth or gum pain, I usually recommend my patients focus on drinking plenty of fluids, getting rest, and make use of over the counter pain relief medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen as needed. Hopefully the pain will improve quickly, but when it doesn't, make sure to check in with your dentist!