Tooth pain or tooth discomfort is experienced either in or around the tooth. Some of the common causes of toothache are:
● Tooth decay
● Tooth decay with a swollen and gum infection either with or without pus
● A broken tooth
● Habitual clenching or grinding teeth
● Any gum infection
Depending on the severity of dental caries or broken tooth, your friendly Canberra dentist may advise a filling, a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction, after a thorough examination.
Very often after an extensive filling or an extraction, it is advisable to eat soft foods at milder temperatures.
Similarly, depending on the exacerbation of your gum infection, your Canberra dentist at Molonglo Dental Surgery may advise a routine cleaning or gum surgery.
For about two-three weeks after gum surgery, your dentist at Molonglo Dental Surgery will advise you to follow a diet of gentle foods to prevent pain and discomfort at the surgical site.
Habitual clenching and grinding of teeth (bruxism), aggressive brushing of teeth, and certain medical conditions that cause regurgitation of stomach acids can cause enamel erosion and are hence sensitive teeth. In addition, failure to clean the layer of plaque from the teeth and around the gums leads to loss of the protective layer on the tooth resulting in tooth sensitivity. With sensitive teeth, you experience a transient but sharp toothache that arises when one or more of the aforementioned factors has damaged a part of the tooth. Diet counselling forms a part of the treatment for sensitive teeth.
Your friendly dental surgeon at Molonglo Dental Surgery understands that undergoing dental treatment and the care after, may sometimes result in a disinterest in eating. However, it must be remembered that, especially during these times, it is imperative to maintain the required caloric and nutritional intake to ensure eventful healing. After much research, our team at the best dental clinic in Canberra has put together the following dishes that are rich in nutrition, low in acids and are gentle on painful/sensitive teeth:
1) Scrambled eggs
Scrambled eggs are soft and easy to chew. Moreover adding spinach, kale, mozzarella or parsley can make it palatable along with enhancing its nutritive quality.
For a plant-based diet, a tofu scramble is a must-try.
2) Salmon
A salmon fillet is a most commonly used cut in Australia. Cooking it with lemon butter, garlic butter or simply baking it will ensure its nutrition is conserved along with being easy to eat after an extraction, surgery or an extensive filling.
3) Beef mince
Beef mince is considered Australia’s most versatile meat. A simple dish of mild curried beef with soft rice or a soft melt-in-your-mouth cottage pie or low-fat cheese and beef lasagne- all of them are sure to gratify your taste buds as well as do not require substantial chewing.
4) Mango, Banana or any fruit smoothie
A smoothie packed with fruits, coconut or regular milk and almond/peanut butter is a terrific option in the initial periods after surgery or extraction. Kindly avoid adding ingredients such as certain seeds or nuts since they won’t blend well.
5) Red Lentil, carrot and sweet potato soup
Rich in fibre, proteins and Vitamin B12, this soup is wholesome and toothsome. Varying the ingredients with pureed spinach, pureed chicken or pureed vegetables can certainly add to the variety. However, kindly avoid adding chunks to vegetables or chicken pieces that may require considerable chewing.
6) Mashed potatoes or baked potatoes with skin
Cooked, baked or mashed. These mouth-watering variations of the humble potato are always a family favourite. Adding a hint of lemon(avoid in case of sensitive teeth), garlic, finely chopped herbs or a dash of rich creamy butter makes it more delicious. Serving this as a breakfast, lunch or dinner option post any extensive dental treatment is suggested.
7) Dinner Casseroles
Assemble, bake and enjoy the assortment of aromas arising from your oven. Shredded chicken and rice, vegetarian moussaka, Shepherd’s pie, sweet potato and a ton more! A balanced meal that’s high on satiety too. Avoid lemon or spicy seasonings if you’re teeth are sensitive or you’ve undergone dental surgery.
8) Protein shakes
Vegan, gluten-free, paleo or keto- There are a variety of protein shakes available in the market to suit your needs. The addition of peanut butter, almond butter, mashed bananas or mangoes and honey is a healthy and nutritious meal. Kindly avoid adding ingredients such as seeds or nuts since they won’t blend well.
9) Polenta
Polenta is an Italian dish made of boiled cornmeal (yellow or white) and water (or soup stock). Adding some herbs, soft cheese or minced vegetables will fill the tummy without hurting your teeth or gums.
10) Pancakes
Traditional pancakes are delicious and gentle on the teeth. The addition of minced vegetables and salt to the batter, without adding sugar, is a variation of the traditional breakfast pancake. Depending on your ability to chew, the addition of cooked minced meat is an alternative too.
These dishes are tempting. Then, what is it that you must avoid eating?
After a tooth extraction or wisdom tooth removal or after gum surgery, it is advisable to avoid food that requires biting into and chewing.
Here are some foods to stay away from for those on a soft food diet after extraction or surgery:
1. Toast, crackers, and cereal
2. Dried fruits, nuts or seeds
3. Corn on the cob, hard/undercooked potatoes
4. chips, Bagels, French bread, sourdough bread
5. Popcorn, Peas, raw vegetables, hard or citrus Fruits
6. Steak, Beef jerky, Bacon, Sausage
7. Spicy seasonings, dressings and sauces
In addition to dental pain management and treatment, we’re sometimes unaware of our food intolerances and allergies. A nutritional consult with a qualified dietician may aid in selecting your food better.
Your caring Canberra dentist at Molonglo Dental Surgery prides herself in providing you with sound dietary counselling and after-care post-surgery as needed. Kindly call your check-up and clean dentist on 0262871222 to know more about a check-up and diet recommendations as desired.
