If you’re currently trying to get a TMJ disorder under control, you need to be very careful when it comes to your diet. Trying to chew certain kinds of foods could ultimately make your existing jaw pain even worse. At the same time, however, you need to make sure that your diet is still varied enough to give your body the nutrition it needs. Are you trying to figure out what you should or shouldn’t eat with a TMJ disorder? Here’s a brief overview of what your diet should look like.
Foods to Stay Away From When You Have a TMJ Disorder
A TMJ disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) responsible for moving your lower jaw are overworked or injured. You therefore should make a point of avoiding foods that force the jaw joints to work harder than necessary. This includes:
- Chewy foods such as bagels and certain other baked goods.
- Sticky foods such as taffy and caramel.
- Hard foods such as apples and uncooked carrots.
- Tough foods such as steaks and other kinds of chewy meat.
Foods That You Should Eat When You Have a TMJ Disorder
It’s generally best to stick to a diet of soft and liquid foods while you have a TMJ disorder. That way, you can keep chewing to a minimum and give your jaw joints a chance to rest and recover. Here are some soft food options that are worth considering:
- Cheese, yogurt, and various other dairy products.
- Bananas, peaches, applesauce, and other soft fruits.
- Peas, green beans, cooked carrots, and other soft vegetables.
- Mashed potatoes, pasta, muffins, soft breads without nuts, and other kinds of soft grains and starches.
- Scrambled eggs, soft-cooked chicken, baked beans, and other sources of protein that don’t require a lot of chewing.
- Various cream-based or broth-based soups.
What Other Steps Can You Take to Address TMJ Disorder?
Maintaining a soft food diet is just one step you should take to address your TMJ disorder. You should also have the problem diagnosed and treated by your dentist as soon as possible. In many cases, a TMJ disorder can be treated with an occlusal splint. When worn at night, this device slightly repositions the jaw to help it find a better resting position, thus taking some of the pressure off your jaw joints.
Another treatment option is trigger point injections, which involve delivering a small amount of local anesthetic to a specific point in your jaw muscles in order to relieve your discomfort. Alternatively, if your TMJ disorder is the result of an imbalanced bite, your dentist may suggest an occlusal adjustment. This involves removing small amounts of enamel from your teeth so that they come together evenly.
Until your dentist can help you find lasting relief from your TMJ disorder, it’s important to make sure you aren’t doing anything that could aggravate your discomfort. Pay close attention to your diet and make any adjustments you need to so that you can stay on track to getting your jaw pain under control.
About the Practice
At Oak Ridge Dental, we’re fully committed to helping patients in San Ramon enjoy brighter, healthier smiles. We’ve been providing high-quality dental care since 1985, and we currently offer a comprehensive menu of services in order to meet a variety of oral health needs. We provide various treatment options for TMJ disorder, including occlusal splints, occlusal adjustments, and trigger point injections. If you’re suffering from chronic jaw pain, you can schedule an appointment with our team by visiting our website, using our online scheduling tool, or calling (925) 735-6190.
