Diet for TMJ/TMD

When TMJ flares up, many people will find relief in a night guard, but may also find relief from changing diet. Food choices will depend on the amount of pain you experience and your ability to open your mouth. For those who suffer from minimal pain, a soft or easy chew diet will reduce symptoms. Our doctors at Evans Dental Care suggest incorporating these foods into your diet if you suffer from TMJ.

Soft foods give your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. Some excellent (and healthy) foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soup, and yogurt. If you must eat food that requires a heavy amount of chewing, we recommended chopping it up into small pieces. If you have a sweet tooth, soft cakes, cobblers, and cheesecake are good things to choose from. Avoid foods that are crunchy, as they will aggravate the temporomandibular joint.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

The temporomandibular joint acts as a sliding hinge, connecting our jawbone to the skull. This joint allows us to move our jaw up and down, side to side, and lets us talk, chew, and yawn. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are a complex and poorly understood set of conditions characterized by pain in the jaw joint and surrounding tissues and limitation in jaw movements. Fortunately, relief is available. Here at Evans Dental Care, we can alleviate this condition. 

Symptoms associated with the temporomandibular joint disorder, include pain in the facial muscles and jaw joints, ringing in the ears, facial swelling, and/or muscle spasms and lockjaw. If the pain is severe and doesn’t go away, our doctors may suggest a night guard to alleviate pressure on the jaw during sleep. They may also suggest applying a warm compress to the face to reduce inflammation, as well as stress reduction techniques to prevent teeth from grinding together.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.