Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or TMD is a serious condition that can have a debilitating effect on your daily life. Whether you experience difficulty opening your mouth to chew, jaw popping and clicking, or extreme oral fatigue, these symptoms can intensify over time, making it hard to know what you should and shouldn’t eat. Keep reading to discover which foods can cause additional pain and which ones can alleviate soreness and discomfort.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
Chronic jaw pain can occur as a result of facial trauma, stress, teeth grinding and clenching, an uneven bite, or overworked muscles.
Over time, the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) will become inflamed, which can lead to pain radiating throughout the jaw, head, and neck. This is often the reason many patients develop headaches – a common symptom associated with TMJ.
Each time a person opens their mouth to try and eat, the jaw may click, pop, or even become locked. As a result, enjoying certain foods can sometimes feel impossible.
Food & TMJ: Which Ones Should You Choose & Avoid?
When it comes to determining which food options will make living with TMJ symptoms more manageable, it’s best to consider the following dos and don’ts:
Foods to Stay Away From
- Tough and chewy meats
- Nuts
- Ice
- Raw fruits and vegetables, like carrots, celery, and apples
- Gum
- Chewy candy
- Crusty, hard, or chewy bread
- Hard cheese
- Fried meats
- Sweets that can be hard and dry when consuming
Foods to Enjoy
- Soft fruits and vegetables, like bananas, ripe melons, cooked peas and carrots, squash
- Tofu
- Soft eggs (not hard-boiled)
- Mashed potatoes
- Oatmeal
- Polenta
- Cottage cheese
- Pudding
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
When to Seek Help
Living with persistent jaw pain is not something a person should continue to experience day after day, which is why dentists recommend scheduling an appointment if jaw pain doesn’t dissipate after a few days.
Identifying the problem and any symptoms a person is experiencing can lead to helpful TMJ treatment options that eliminate unnecessary pain and restore proper movement and jaw placement for a better quality of life.
About the Author
Dr. Tad Morgan attended Abilene Christian University before going on to Baylor College of Dentistry. Graduating in 1997, he completed a general residency at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. With more than 1,000 continuing education hours, he studied at the Pankey Institute under Larry Rosenthal and David Hornbrook. Dr. Morgan and his team are focused on helping patients with all types of orofacial problems, including TMJ. Apart from administering safe and effective treatment, he can recommend ways to alleviate pain while undergoing professional care.
If you need help to overcome your TMJ disorder, contact us at (903) 825-1112.