The human jaw consists of the mandible, teeth and a temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, on each side. Like other joints and bones, your jaw is susceptible to trauma, injury and other disorders. Because your jaw is an integral part of eating, you may have to adjust your diet if it becomes injured.
Temporomandibular Joint Injury
TMJ disorders have many causes, including arthritis, jaw injury or grinding teeth. More common in women than in men, they affect approximately 10 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. TMJ disorders cause pain or tenderness in the jaw, ear pain, an uneven bite and locking of the jaw, making it hard to open or close your mouth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research TMJ Registry and Repository, you should avoid foods that cause pain or make your jaw lock if you have TMJ injury. Avoid bread, nuts and candy as well as steak and bagels. Cut fruit into sections and cook vegetables to soften them.
Dislocated Jaw
In jaw dislocation, your lower jaw slips out of its position in one or both TMJ joints. Your jaw can also become dislocated owing to trauma from a fight, a motor vehicle accident or sports. Jaw dislocation results in jaw tenderness or pain that worsens with biting or chewing, according to Medline Plus. If you have a dislocated jaw, you should avoid hard foods. After your jaw has been reset, avoid solid food and stay on a liquid diet for a week.
Fractured Jaw
If your jaw is broken and not treated properly or promptly, your teeth and jaw become misaligned. This misalignment makes talking, chewing, swallowing and breathing difficult, according to Emergency Dentist. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center instructs that people who have a fractured jaw should avoid foods that require chewing. Your teeth become sensitive to hot and cold when your jaw is fractured, so avoid these foods as well.
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