What Shouldn’t You Do With a TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jawbone to the skull and allows you to open and close your mouth, chew, and speak. Unfortunately, this joint can become damaged or inflamed, resulting in a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

If you’ve been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, it’s necessary to know what actions you should avoid to prevent exacerbating symptoms. Our Staten Island dentists want patients to be aware of what they shouldn’t do with a TMJ disorder to help manage their condition and promote healing.

Movements to Avoid With TMD

To manage your TMD symptoms, it’s crucial to avoid movements that can exacerbate your condition, such as:

• Clenching Your Jaw: One of the most important things to avoid when you have TMD is clenching your jaw. This action can put additional stress on your already-sensitive jaw joint and worsen your symptoms. Try to be aware of when you’re clenching your jaw and consciously relax your muscles.
• Extreme Jaw Movements: Avoid jaw movements like yawning widely, singing loudly, or shouting. These actions can cause strain on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, leading to pain and discomfort. Instead, move your jaw gently and avoid opening your mouth too wide.
• Grinding Your Teeth: Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can worsen TMD symptoms and lead to tooth damage. If you grind your teeth at night, consider using a mouth guard to protect your teeth and reduce stress on your jaw.

Foods to Avoid With TMD

The foods you eat can have a significant impact on your TMD symptoms. To reduce pain and discomfort, it’s critical to avoid certain foods like:

• Hard or Chewy Foods: Hard, crunchy, or chewy foods can put additional stress on the jaw joint. Try to stick to soft, easy-to-chew foods like mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, and smoothies.
• Large Bites: Taking large bites of food can also strain the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Try to take small bites and chew slowly to reduce stress on your jaw.
• Foods That Require Excessive Chewing: Avoid foods that require excessive chewing, like gum, steak, and tough bread. These foods can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.

Activities to Avoid With TMD

Certain activities can put additional stress on the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles. To manage your condition and ease your symptoms, avoid:

• Holding Your Phone Between Your Shoulder and Ear: Holding your phone in this position can strain the neck and shoulder muscles, causing tension in the jaw muscles. Instead, use a headset or hold the phone directly to your ear.
• Playing Wind Instruments: Playing instruments like trumpets, trombones, and clarinets can require significant jaw movements, which can worsen symptoms. If you enjoy playing these instruments, consider taking frequent breaks and practicing proper posture to reduce strain on your jaw.
• Strenuous Exercise: Workouts like weightlifting or running can exacerbate TMD symptoms. Instead, try low-impact activities like swimming or walking, and stretch before and after exercise to reduce tension in the jaw muscles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover More Helpful Tips for Managing TMD

TMJ disorder can be a painful and frustrating condition, but by avoiding certain actions and making lifestyle changes, you can reduce stress on your jaw and manage your symptoms. By taking these steps, you can protect your jaw and improve your quality of life.

To learn more, call our Staten Island office today to learn more about TMJ disorders with our dentists.

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