Can I still eat with a tooth abscess?

Having a tooth abscess can be extremely painful and make eating difficult. However, it is still possible to eat with a tooth abscess in most cases. The key is choosing the right foods and taking care not to further irritate the affected tooth.

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What is a tooth abscess?

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in the tooth or gums as a result of a bacterial infection. It is caused by advanced tooth decay or injury that allows bacteria to enter the tooth’s inner layers or the gums. A tooth abscess leads to a buildup of pus that causes throbbing pain and swelling around the affected tooth and gums.

Why does a tooth abscess make eating difficult?

There are a few reasons why having a tooth abscess can make eating challenging:

Pain when chewing – The increased pressure and movement involved in chewing food can aggravate the abscess and cause severe pain.
Sensitivity to hot and cold foods – Abscessed teeth are extremely sensitive. Hot and cold foods can cause sharp pain.
Difficulty opening the mouth – Swelling around the abscess can make it hard to open the mouth fully in order to bite or chew food.

Risk of worsening the infection – Chewing food near the site of the abscess can further irritate it and spread the infection.

Can I still eat with a tooth abscess before seeing a dentist?

It is generally recommended to avoid eating on the side of your mouth with the abscessed tooth until you are able to see a dentist. However, you still need to eat to maintain nutrition. Here are some tips that may help:

Stick to soft, lukewarm foods – Soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, applesauce, scrambled eggs or oatmeal are less likely to irritate the abscess.

Avoid hard, crunchy, chewy foods – Foods like nuts, chips, raw veggies, bread or meat require more chewing and can worsen pain.
Cut food into small pieces – Taking smaller bites reduces the amount of chewing needed.
Chew carefully on the other side of your mouth – Putting pressure on the abscess while chewing can cause pain, so chew on the opposite side.

Avoid extremely hot or cold foods – They can trigger sensitivity in the abscessed tooth.
Try liquid meal replacements – Nutritional shakes or smoothies provide calories without requiring chewing.

What can I eat with a tooth abscess?

Here are some of the foods that are generally safe to eat with a tooth abscess before you can see a dentist:

Dairy products:

Yogurt
Cottage cheese
Milk

Milkshakes
Ice cream (in moderation)
Pudding

Custard

Fruits and vegetables:

Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
Applesauce or pureed fruits

Cooked carrots, spinach or other soft veggies
Canned fruits like peaches, pears, mandarin oranges
Bananas, melons, soft ripe fruits

Grains:

Oatmeal or cream of wheat
Grits
Rice pudding

Pasta
Couscous

Proteins:

Eggs – scrambled, soft boiled, poached, omelets

Tuna fish
Cottage cheese
Smooth nut butters like peanut or almond butter

Tofu
Shredded chicken or turkey
Hummus

Refried beans

Other:

Broth or clear soups
Jello

Popsicles
Protein shakes
Smoothies

What foods should I avoid with a tooth abscess?

Some foods are too hard, crunchy or irritating for an abscessed tooth. It is best to avoid:

Crunchy fruits and vegetables – carrots, celery, apples, etc.
Hard breads and baked goods – biscuits, croutons, crusty bread

Tough, chewy meats – steak, jerky
Chewy candies like gum, caramels, taffy
Sticky foods – peanut butter, granola bars

Spicy foods
Crunchy snacks like chips, nuts, popcorn
Pizza, tacos and other foods that require biting

Extremely hot or cold foods
Carbonated drinks

Tips for eating with a tooth abscess

Making some adjustments can help you manage eating with a tooth abscess until you can get dental treatment:

Cut all foods into tiny pieces so less chewing is needed.
Chew very slowly and carefully, only on the side opposite the abscess.
Allow hot foods to cool to a lukewarm temperature first.

Avoid putting any pressure on the sore tooth.
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals to keep the area clean.
Take over-the-counter pain medication before eating, as advised by your pharmacist or dentist.

Try liquid meal replacements if chewing solid food is too difficult.
Stick to soft foods. Avoid crunchy, sticky, hard to chew foods.

When to avoid eating with an abscessed tooth

You should stop eating on the affected side and call your dentist right away if:

Chewing causes very severe, throbbing pain that medication does not relieve.
Your face is swollen, making chewing impossible.
You have a fever, chills or trouble swallowing.

The pain spreads underneath your jaw or down your neck.
You have numbness or tingling in your lips, chin or tongue.
The abscess is draining pus into your mouth.

These can be signs of a serious problem requiring emergency dental care. An untreated abscess can lead to complications like infection spreading through the bones or tissues under the teeth, which may require hospitalization.

When can I eat normally again after a tooth abscess?

You should be able to resume your normal diet after the abscess is treated and healing begins. Here is the usual timeline:

After a root canal or tooth extraction: Within a few days, once swelling and pain start to improve.

After root planing or deep cleaning: Usually within a week as the gums start to heal.
After antibiotics or draining the abscess: Within a few days after finishing antibiotics or getting the abscess drained.
After follow-up procedures like crown placement: Soon after having crowns, fillings or other restorative treatments placed to repair the damaged tooth.

Healing times can vary depending on factors like the size of the abscess and how severe the infection is. Work closely with your dentist, who can monitor your recovery and advise when it’s safe to resume normal eating without irritating the area.

Managing pain and swelling while eating

It is normal for the abscessed tooth and surrounding area to remain sensitive for some time after treatment begins. Here are some tips to help manage discomfort:

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water before and after eating to keep the area clean.

Take any antibiotics or pain medications as prescribed to reduce infection and pain.
Avoid extreme hot or cold foods and drinks which can cause sensitivity.
Apply an ice pack on the outer cheek near the abscess to help reduce swelling.

Sleep propped up with extra pillows to minimize throbbing and swelling overnight.
Eat soft foods and chew on the opposite side of the abscess while healing.
Call your dentist if pain and swelling persist or get worse.

When to see a dentist for a tooth abscess

While you may be able to temporarily manage eating with a tooth abscess, it’s crucial to get dental treatment right away before it worsens or causes complications. Here’s when to promptly see a dentist:

If you develop symptoms like pain when chewing, tooth sensitivity to hot or cold, foul odor, or swelling around the tooth or gums.
If you have been diagnosed with an abscessed tooth previously but have not gotten it treated.

If over-the-counter painkillers and home remedies are not helping relieve abscess pain and discomfort.
If the abscess appears to be draining pus, is very swollen, or you have fever, trouble swallowing or chills.
If the pain spreads to your jaw, neck, ear or other areas, which requires urgent care.

For your follow-up appointment after beginning any abscess treatment.

Trying to wait out a tooth abscess or delay dental care can allow the infection to spread to other areas and become serious. Prompt professional treatment is key.

What does the dentist do for a tooth abscess?

Your dentist will first examine the abscess, take x-rays to evaluate how severe it is, and determine appropriate treatment, which may include:

Draining the abscess – Making a small hole to drain the pus and relieve pressure. Local anesthesia is used.
Root canal therapy – Cleaning out infected pulp and sealing the tooth interior to save the tooth.
Tooth extraction – Removal of the tooth if the abscess is very severe and the tooth cannot be saved.

Antibiotics – Prescription antibiotics to clear the infection.
Debridement or root planing – Deep cleaning below the gumline for abscesses stemming from gum disease.
Follow-up treatments – Like tooth restoration with fillings or crowns after the abscess heals.

Your dentist will advise on the most effective treatments based on the specifics of your abscess. Following all their prescribed care is crucial for preventing the infection from coming back.

Can a tooth abscess heal on its own?

A tooth abscess won’t go away on its own without treatment. The infection can continue to worsen leading to complications. An untreated abscess may:

Cause the tooth and surrounding bone to eventually disintegrate.

Spread infection into nearby teeth, tissues and jawbone.
Lead to very severe pain, swelling and fever requiring hospitalization.
Create a fistula – an open pathway between the tooth’s root and gum that drains pus into the mouth.

Create a pocket of pus that can rupture internally or externally.
Potentially spread infection into the bloodstream, becoming life-threatening.

While waiting for your dental appointment, take any prescribed antibiotics and use warm saltwater rinses to help temporarily reduce abscess swelling and symptoms. But professional dental treatment is essential for clearing a tooth abscess and preventing dangerous complications.

Emergency dental care for abscesses

Seek emergency dental care right away if you have any of the following more serious abscess symptoms:

Severe throbbing pain and swelling in your face, neck or under the jaw
Difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth

Fever higher than 101 F (38 C)
Fatigue, chills or generally feeling unwell
Rushing heart rate

Swelling that prevent breathing through your nose
Numbness in the face, lips, tongue, or difficulty moving any facial muscles
Abscess drainage into the mouth

These can indicate the abscess is spreading, is at risk of rupturing, or the infection is entering your bloodstream – conditions requiring urgent medical care to prevent serious complications.

Preventing future tooth abscesses

Once a tooth abscess develops, you are more prone to getting another one in the future. Here are some tips to help prevent recurrent abscesses after treatment:

Practice good daily oral hygiene – Brush 2x a day, floss thoroughly, use antibacterial mouthwash.

See your dentist twice yearly for cleanings and checkups to detect problems early.
Get cavities filled promptly before they worsen into abscesses.
Quit smoking, as this increases abscess risk.

Monitor sugar intake, since consuming excess sugar harms tooth enamel.
Don’t miss follow-up appointments after abscess treatment.

Making your oral health a priority reduces chances of another painful tooth abscess in the future.

Conclusion

Having a tooth abscess can make eating very difficult and painful. However, choosing soft foods, chewing carefully only on the other side of your mouth, and avoiding foods that are too hot, cold or sticky can help minimize discomfort and irritation until you receive dental treatment. While waiting for your appointment, over-the-counter pain medicine, saltwater rinses, and cold compresses can temporarily relieve symptoms. Prompt professional treatment is essential to clear up a tooth abscess before serious complications develop or the tooth is lost completely. With the right care from your dentist and some adjustments on your part, you can manage eating with an abscessed tooth in the short term.