There is nothing like a toothache to put a damper on your day. It is hard to focus on your daily tasks when you are in pain, and the pain makes it difficult to enjoy certain foods and beverages. Luckily, you can manage your pain by learning what foods to avoid until you can visit the dentist. Here are five foods to avoid if you are dealing with tooth pain.
Candy
It is no secret that the sugar in candy can be harmful to your teeth. Imagine eating a lot of sugar when you are suffering from a toothache. If you overdo the candy, you are putting your teeth at risk of decay. You should also stay away from hard candy because the texture alone can increase your tooth pain.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is another sugary treat that should be avoided when you are dealing with a toothache. You should especially avoid ice cream if you have cavities or sensitive teeth. Extremely cold food can increase the pain in your teeth, so ice cream is not a good idea when you have a toothache.
Citrus Fruit
You do not want to avoid citrus fruit altogether for nutrition purposes, but you should only eat citrus fruit in moderation. This includes grapefruit, pineapple, lemons, limes and oranges. The acid in citrus fruit damages the tooth enamel, which can lead to sensitive and painful teeth.
Juice
Juice is another healthy option that is a bad idea when you have a toothache or sensitive teeth. It is not necessary to avoid juice if you need it to stay hydrated or healthy. You can drink juice as long as you practice good dental hygiene. However, you may want to cut back or avoid any juice that increases your pain until you can visit the dentist.
Coffee
You should also avoid drinking coffee if you are dealing with a toothache. The hot temperature is another problem for your sensitive teeth. Another issue is the acid found in coffee, especially when you add sugar or creamer to it. It can increase your pain while leading to tooth decay.
It also never hurts to schedule an appointment with your dentist at least once a year. Your dentist can check your teeth for problems, give your teeth a good cleaning and provide tips for preventative dental care. If you avoid the foods listed above and visit the dentist, you can manage your tooth pain until it is gone.