If you are dealing with TMJ pain, it can really wear you down. A TMJ disorder refers to the temporomandibular joint, the vital joint that acts as the connection between the upper and lower jaw. When everything is in order, this joint will flow smoothly and with ease, causing no discomfort. However, if you have an issue with a misaligned jaw, have experienced trauma to your jaw, experience strained muscles, or suffer from inflammation in the jaw, you can experience serious discomfort.
TMJ symptoms include:
- pain in your jaw
- a clicking noise when you yawn or chew
- the sensation that your jaw has become locked
- stiffness in the jaw.
You may also suffer from:
To find relief for your TMJ disorder and ease your symptoms, changes in your diet could be effective.
Make adjustments in your diet to find TMJ relief
In order to deal with TMJ, try to be proactive and avoid foods that could exacerbate your condition.
- Coffee can be a problem. If you have too much caffeine in your diet, you are more likely to clench and grind your teeth in your sleep. Either keep it to a minimum or go with decaffeinated beverages.
- When you are dealing with a serious bout of jaw pain, try switching to soft foods that won’t put pressure on the temporomandibular joint. Avoid hard, crunchy foods that can lead to more irritation.
- You can also increase your intake of foods that are good for your joints to address inflammation in the temporomandibular joint. Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and nuts can be beneficial.
What to do when diet isn’t enough to deal with TMJ discomfort
If you have made changes in your diet but haven’t found relief, TMJ treatment from your dentist could be the solution you need. After a careful evaluation, your dentist will be able to identify the source of your TMJ problems. Your dentist may suggest that you replace missing teeth in order to correct your bite. A mouth guard could fix a misaligned jaw.
There are many TMJ treatments that can improve your TMJ disorder. Seeing a dentist is the first step.