Occasional temporomandibular joint pain isn't always cause for concern, but recurring episodes may be a sign that you have a disorder affecting these joints. These conditions aren't uncommon; in fact, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that as many as 10 million Americans may have a TMJ disorder. If you're dealing with such problems, following a soft food diet can help ease symptoms.
TMJ Disorders
The temporomandibular joints, located on both sides of your head, join the skull and lower jaw. Problems with these joints cause discomfort while doing activities that require opening and closing your mouth, such as eating or talking. Traumatic injuries and arthritis are sometimes to blame for TMJ disorders. Teeth clenching or grinding, stress, and misalignment of the teeth are more common causes, according to Dr. Terence M. Davidson, FACS, of UC San Diego's School of Medicine. TMJ problems cause a number of symptoms including headaches, jaw tenderness and ear pain.
Importance of a Soft Diet
Eating can be a challenge when you have TMJ problems as the required jaw movements continually irritate the affected joint. You may also hear a popping or clicking sound in the joint while chewing. Eating a soft diet can help combat this discomfort by limiting the amount of chewing required. Stay away from crunchy or chewy foods including tough cuts of meat, nuts, chips, hard veggies and gum. You may want to keep a record of what foods trigger your symptoms as well.
What to Eat
When your TMJ symptoms flare up, restricting your diet even further may be required. Dr. Davidson points out that sticking to a liquid diet temporarily may be recommended to give the joints the opportunity to rest. A mechanical soft diet -- one that's followed when chewing is difficult -- includes many foods that still provide variety in your eating plan. These include soft vegetables, plain dairy products, canned veggies, eggs, smooth peanut butter, pasta and soft, skinless potatoes, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. You can enjoy tender cuts of meat, fish and poultry as well but cut them into small pieces.
Other Methods
In addition to changing your diet, you can take other actions to alleviate your stressed temporomandibular joints. Using ice packs or moist heat on the affected area can provide relief. You'll also want to watch how wide you open your mouth, such as during yawning, as this action increases discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help, but in some cases your doctor may need to prescribe stronger medications. Your doctor can also show you how self-massage and good posture counteract TMJ problems.
