Foods to Avoid with TMJ Pain

When dealing with the pain and irritation of TMJ dysfunction, it is nice to know ways to avoid a flare-up. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ treats patients with TMJ pain and wants them to know about certain types of foods that can lead to pain. Keep reading to learn about the foods to avoid and how you can make eating easier on your jaw.

It should not be too big of a surprise that hard and crunchy foods are more difficult for the jaw to chew through than softer foods. Because of the force the jaw needs to exert to bite through them, hard and crunchy foods can irritate the TMJs and lead to pain. Try to stay away from crunchy foods like popcorn and chips. Examples of harder foods are raw veggies. Vegetables are still important for your nutrition, though, so you should cook them so they are soft and easier to eat.

Another type of food which may not be as obvious of an irritant is chewy food. Caramels, chewing gum, and even tougher cuts of meat take much more chewing than most foods. The constant chewing motion can easily cause a TMJ flare-up. Stick to tender cuts of meat. If you want seafood, stick to fish rather than shellfish. You will also want to stay away from chewy candies. If you use gum to freshen your breath, try mints instead.

If you are experiencing frequent pain in your jaw or clicking when you open your mouth, schedule an appointment to see Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS. Appointments may be made by calling our Holmdel, NJ office at (732) 264-8180 or by visiting our website, www.dentistnj.com.