Can bell's palsy affect both sides of the face and create problems with eating and swallowing?

Affects eating: With bilateral bell's palsy, you have bilateral facial nerve paralysis (cranial nerve 7). Your lips will be flaccid and you won't be able to keep food in your mouth. Once the food stays in your mouth, you will still have the normal functions of chewing and swallowing. These functions are not controlled by the facial nerve.

Rarely: Bell's palsy can affect both sides of the face but that is rare. If someone has weakness or paralysis on both sides of the face then a complete evaluation, likely with and MRI or cat scan, should be done to rule out other causes of facial weakness. A neurologist, ENT specialist or a neurosurgeon can do this type of work up.