Learning what foods to avoid with TMJ disorder can help alleviate stress on your jaw joint and help manage flare ups. The temporomandibular joint is a complex joint that connects with your skull right in front of your ears. It’s supported by a series of muscles that aid in chewing and speaking.
The masseter muscle, located below the joint near the jawline, is the most powerful muscle in the human body. In a healthy, functional jaw, it’s the driving force behind tearing tough foods and chewing effectively.
If you have TMJ, though, the masseter muscles should be used sparingly to avoid discomfort. Doing so can help alleviate flare ups and unnecessary stress to the ecosystem of your jaw. Because of this, there are certain foods to avoid with TMJ entirely and others that you should eat slowly and with caution.
Many folks who suffer from jaw joint pain report that adopting a soft-food diet has dramatically improved their symptoms.
Alleviate Pain With A Diet Change
Think of it like this: if you’re experiencing a ton of knee pain, you’re not going to go to the gym and do 100lb+ leg presses. The same level of care should be applied to your jaw pain.
The truth is, a lot of the foods on this list are ones any dentist, orthodontist or ENT will tell you to avoid regardless of whether or not you have TMJ pain.
Of course, it’s not easy or fun giving up favorite foods and adjusting to a new diet. If you make a few small changes at a time you’ll have more success than trying to quit everything cold turkey.
This slower approach will give your brain time to build new habits and recognize that softer foods are more rewarding.
Simply having an awareness of this list is a great first step toward making positive, healthier changes.
Read the list below of foods to avoid with TMJ.
Eliminating these from your diet in baby steps can help improve joint function and alleviate painful symptoms. If you have other foods you avoid to improve your TMJ, please leave a comment below and share it with the community.
3 Kinds Of Foods To Avoid With TMJ
Hard & Crunchy Foods
Hard and crunchy foods can jack up TMJ symptoms like popping and clicking. Your joints have to put a lot of power into breaking up these foods. It’s impossible to control the force behind a motion like this and how quickly and with what impact your teeth will come back together. Chewing these foods will no doubt leave an unstable jaw feeling worn out.
- Ice
- Hard raw veggies like carrots
- Hard candy
- Jawbreakers
- Dry granola
- Nuts
Tough Foods
Foods like beef jerky, pizza crusts, hard-crusted bread, bagels, and any other that requires a ton of force to tear apart will do more harm than good. Your masseter has to work overtime to clench down on these items to break off each bite before chewing.
Tearing into tough foods also puts a tremendous amount of strain on the jaw joint itself. If you experience popping or clicking, you might be at risk of exacerbating those TMJ symptoms if you don’t avoid these foods.
- Beef jerky
- Pizza crust
- Hard-crusted breads
- Well done meat
- Fruit leather
- Bagels
Sticky & Chewy Foods
Foods that stick to the teeth require a lot of force to chew. So, you should avoid foods like taffy, gum, and caramels if you have TMJ. Chewing sticky foods often requires a unique side-to-side motion from the jaw that can tire your muscles and leave you with a major headache.
- Chewing gum
- Taffy
- Caramels
- Licorice, skittles, and other candies
- Sticky rice
While it’s recommended to avoid foods that trigger TMJ flare ups and pain, doing so may or may not alleviate all of your symptoms. Living With TMJ recommends you seek professional dental or medical support if you believe you have jaw joint dysfunction.
A comprehensive treatment plan is crucial to managing your unique circumstances and can only be offered by a professional.
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Disclaimer: This content is meant to be informational and educational only and is not medical advice. This content does not substitute consulting with a medical or dental professional. Living With TMJ makes no claims to diagnose illness or injury. If you have a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you read in this blog, on this website, or in linked resources.