TMJ and Eating: How TMJ Disorder Disturbs Everyday Eating

TMJ Disorder (sometimes called TMJ Syndrome) is a chronic problem that affects the Temporomandibular joint, situated beneath the ears at the bottom of the skull. This joint is necessary for opening and closing the mouth, which means that the pain and discomfort connected with TMJ Disorder may bring about trouble undertaking any number of necessary daily tasks, such as talking, laughing and yawning.

Probably the trickiest daily function to undertake when suffering from TMJ Disorder is eating. Teeth discomfort, a misaligned bite, popping or snapping feelings in the jaw as well as a chronic ache in or around the mouth area are all indications associated with TMJ Disorder; as a result, biting, chewing and swallowing may well be negatively affected by the disorder.

Steps for TMJ patients to take to reduce eating discomfort:

• TMJ patients should steer clear of chewing gum, hard candy, or any chewy, sticky or particularly crunchy foods (as well as certain raw vegetables, nuts, and tough meat). Steering clear of any foods that need a large amount of chewing may help sufferers steer clear of the repetitive jaw motions that aggravate TMJ symptoms.
• Attempting to chew equally on both sides of the mouth is another common tactic that can be employed to help reduce TMJ pain. This helps the affected person avoid overusing one side of the mouth, which may have permanent consequences such as chronic swelling and uneven muscle development on the facial area.
• Consuming solely soft foods or consuming only a liquid diet can also help affected individuals avoid unpleasant chewing or biting. This type of food avoidance technique quickly gets to be monotonous, however, and the majority of patients find it hard to stick to it consistently.
• Taking smaller bites so as to avoid getting too much food in the mouth is a second eating technique that people with TMJ Disorder can use. This will help decrease the volume of chewing that must be done by the person; moreover, some studies have found that placing large amounts of food in the mouth at one time may bring on TMJ problems. Eating more controlled quantities of food is a good idea for everyone, whether or not they’re currently dealing with TMJ!
• Avoiding foods such as hamburgers, large sandwiches and apples that require opening the jaw wide to bite. TMJ sufferers should try not to open their jaws too wide so as to avoid a "locked" open jaw and may even require emergency medical treatment.

With these points in mind, people with TMJ Disorder may be able to find short-term ways to deal with the pain of eating. Nevertheless, these tips do not offer a permanent solution to the problem of TMJ. If you or someone you care about is suffering from TMJ Disorder, speak to a professional TMJ specialist immediately so that you can treat the problem for good. A skilled TMJ doctor like Dr. Eddie Siman will have non-surgical alternatives for you to choose from that will completely relieve your TMJ symptoms. There is no needing suffer through TMJ any longer. Contact Dr. Eddie Siman today for an appointment.