7 Foods to Avoid if You Have TMJ

If you are a TMJ Sufferer, you’re fully aware that your TMJD limits your options on the menu. Simply put, it is very difficult to eat when you are in constant pain and have restricted motion in your jaw. Here are 7 foods we recommend avoiding if you experience TMJD:

1. Chewing Gum.

Every single time you take a bite, you open and close your jaw, a.k.a your thermo mandibular joint. Consequently, this stretches your muscles and leads to an increase in the tension of the jaw and joint.

2. Burgers & Subs.

With barbeque season on the horizon, it was hard to include this on the list but we must! Avoid large burgers and submarine sandwiches if you want to keep the pain at bay. It is impossible for a TMJ patient with limited range of motion to open their jaw to fit a burger or a large sandwich. (While we’re talking about BBQ’s, say ‘No thanks!’ to corn on the cobb as well.)

3. Hard Candy.
If you have TMJ pain don’t make your muscles work even harder with hard candy. Please: Just say no!

4. Chewy Meat.

We understand the allure of a juicy steak but don’t forget what you pay in exchange for all that chomping. Instead, look to grilled chicken, fish, or tofu for your protein at meals. Less work on your jaw means less pain.

5. Taffy.

Taffy and other chewy candies that demand some jaw movement is not recommended.

6. Hard Bread and Pretzels.

Say ‘au revoir’ to baguettes because those will only welcome in the pain. Foods such as hard breads and pretzels force your jaws muscles to work on overdrive which creates unnecessary pain.

7. Salads and Vegetables. With all the additions typically tossed into a salad (croutons, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, et) your jaw turns into a crunching, chewing machine demanding a high level of work on your jaw muscles.

Soft foods like soups, shakes, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs and yogurt are great alternatives for those who are suffering from TMJ pain. And bonus: they’re all healthier options for your as well (save the salad and veggies of course)! Alright, alright, we understand these foods may not be the most exciting, but do you know what’s another soft food you can eat? Cake.

What’s the difference between TMJ and TMJD? Is there a difference? Find out in our post TMJ, TMD, TMJD: What’s the Difference?