Trouble Eating Difficulty Chewing
Discomfort and pain anywhere in your body is a protective response to alert you that something is wrong. Whether it be a simple issue or one more severe, the sensory trigger is asking for some attention. This is the same for any dental discomfort or pain. If you are having trouble eating or difficulty chewing your food, it will the result of another dental issue causing those symptoms.
Some Oral Issues that can Result in You having Trouble Eating and Difficulty Chewing
The first might be a tooth or teeth that have become sensitive to temperature. This might be from a newly developed cavity, a loose filling, or an exposed root due to gum recession. A cracked tooth or deeper decay and infection can also lead to discomfort while eating or chewing. The next might be sinus related. Your upper molars share the same nerves as your sinus cavity. A third category might be the grinding of your teeth, called bruxism, at night or you have a TMJ/TMD joint disorder alignment issue. A constant pain would suggest an acute infection. This might be an abscess that needs immediate treatment. Any kind of facial trauma can result in chewing and eating difficulties as the tissue, bone and muscle structures heal. Something as simple as a dry mouth, from an immune system disorder, can create serious problems as you do not generate enough saliva to help chew and swallow your food. The cause may be more severe, such as the onset of oral cancer. The various levels and stages of gum disease can contribute to you not enjoying eating as much and making it tougher to chew. There might be a vitamin deficiency that needs to be diagnosed at the dental office.
As you can see, it can be simple and immediately evident, or it could be deeper and masked. Letting a dental professional evaluate the problem is your best answer.
What Treatments are Available?
First and foremost, you should consider seeing your dentist. An evaluation can go a long way in diagnosing the source of your problems. You can also consider the three Ts before your appointment. They are taste, temperature, and texture. When you actively vary these in your diet it helps keep your mouth awake. After your evaluation, depending on the extent of the investigation, which might need to include x-rays, your dentist will be able to surmise the cause of your trouble eating and the difficulty you are experiencing chewing. They will recommend the proper dental procedure to correct your problem. It may be a night guard for your TMJ/TMD disorder or your teeth grinding. It might be to address a cavity, deep clean your teeth to improve your gum health, or the inclusion of a prescription antibiotic to address a lingering infection. There are many causes and just as many treatments. Your takeaway is to listen to your body. If you are experiencing discomfort chewing and trouble eating, make an appointment to have it evaluated. You may want to consider soft foods until the issue is corrected.