For patients living with Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), the pleasure of eating a favorite meal can quickly become a distant memory. Because the pain associated with TMJ can often limit the kinds of foods patients can consume, eating can quickly become a painful burden. Patients must change their diet in an effort to alleviate their pain, and that diet is often limited in scope. Dr. Buck specializes in treating patients with TMJ by utilizing a neuromuscular and epigenetics approach to treatment modalities.

Because TMJ affects the muscles and joints that are responsible for chewing, TMJ often causes patients to rethink their food choices. Those food choices often become contingent on the patient’s ability to open their mouth, chew or swallow. Many foods can be difficult and even impossible for patients with TMJ to consume as a result of the associated pain or discomfort. If you’re currently experiencing a painful TMJ flare-up, steer clear of these troublesome foods:

• Raw vegetables
• Hard, chewy bread like baguettes, bagels or bread with nuts and seeds
• Chips
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Steak or other chewy meats
• Processed foods with refined sugar
• Foods high in salicylates such as tomatoes, hot peppers, and olives. (Salicylates have been shown to aggravate TMJ symptoms for some people, especially those with an allergy or sensitivity to it.)

When your diet is limited due to TMJ-related symptoms, the problem then shifts to ensuring you’re receiving adequate nutrition. Here are a few healthy and pain-free food options:

• Fruit smoothies
• Yogurt
• Soft bread without nuts or seeds
• Soft, cooked veggies like carrots, zucchini or squash
• Avocado
• Eggs cooked almost any style
• Soft, cooked chicken (think chicken salad!)
• Hummus
• Pasta

While alternating your diet permanently is in no way a long-term solution, it can help you experience some relief while maintaining an adequately nutritious diet while you seek treatment for your condition. If you’re living with TMJ pain, contact our office today at 425-361-7499 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Buck, and see how his approach to TMJ can give you the relief you’ve been searching for.