Toggle navigation
1801 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60613

(773) 327-1818
(773) 327-1820 (Fax)
[email protected] (Email)
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • blog

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

Adjust Your Diet to Accommodate TMD to Maximize Nutrition

  • Blog Home
  • Oral+Health
  • Adjust Your Diet to Accommodate TMD to Maximize Nutrition

Adjust Your Diet to Accommodate TMD to Maximize Nutrition

By The Whole Tooth
February 02, 2017
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health   nutrition   tmj disorders  
AdjustYourDiettoAccommodateTMDtoMaximizeNutrition

Eating is one of the pleasures — and necessities — of life, but people who suffer from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) may find eating no pleasure at all — and they may not be eating the right nutritional balance of foods.

TMD is a collection of conditions that affect the jaw joints, connecting muscles and other related facial structures. If you've been diagnosed with TMD, you're probably not only acquainted with severe pain, but also difficulty opening your jaw as widely as normal. This can make it difficult to chew certain foods.

There are a number of effective treatments for TMD, including thermal therapy (hot or cold packs), joint exercise, medication or surgery (as a last resort). But these treatments often take time to make a noticeable difference. In the meantime, you may still need to change what and how you eat to ensure you're getting the nutrients your body needs.

The overall strategy should be to soften and reduce the chewing size of your food. With fruits and vegetables, you'll want to peel and discard any hard or chewy skins, and then chop the fruit flesh into smaller pieces. Steam or cook vegetables like greens, broccoli or cauliflower until they're soft and then chop them into smaller portions. You might also consider pureeing your fruit (and some vegetables) to make smoothies with ice, milk or yogurt, or vegetable-based soups.

Treat meat, poultry or seafood in much the same way, especially biting sizes. Besides cooking meats to tenderness, include moisteners like broths, gravies or brazing liquids to further make them easier to chew.

Dairy foods are an important source of nutrition: eat milk-based products like yogurt or cheese as much as you can handle. If you have problems with these or also nut butters, then consider meal replacement beverages like instant breakfast or whey protein beverages.

And don't forget whole grains. Although some can be hard to chew, you can prepare them in hot cereal form (like oatmeal) to tenderize them. You can also prepare thin bread toast and cut into smaller pieces.

Hopefully, your treatment will bring your TMD symptoms under manageable control. Until then (and after, if need be) adjust your diet to eat the foods that keep you healthy.

If you would like more information on maintaining a healthy diet with TMD, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2021
      • January (1)
        • 3 Reasons Why Treating Cavities Is Becoming More Effective
  • 2020
      • December (3)
        • Preventing Dental Disease Starts with Assessing Your Unique Risk
        • The Howie Mandel Effect: Avoid Dental Disease Through Daily Brushing and Flossing
        • Today's Dentures Are More Secure and Comfortable to Wear
      • November (3)
        • Avoid Permanent Tooth Alteration with No-Prep Veneers
        • Dental Implants Could Help You Avoid This Long-Term Effect of Losing Teeth
        • What Tara Lipinski Does to Protect One of Her Most Valuable Assets - Her Smile
      • October (4)
        • Unpleasant Cracked Mouth Corners Can Be Treated and Prevented
        • 4 Ways Saliva Protects Your Mouth Against Disease
        • Removing Hardened Plaque Reduces Your Risk of Disease
        • Too Old to Straighten Your Smile? Not If You're Like These A-List Celebrities
      • September (3)
        • Act Quickly With a Knocked Out Tooth to Ensure Its Long-Term Survival
        • Addressing Risk Factors: Taking the Fight Against Tooth Decay to a New Level
        • Keep These Top Factors in Mind When Buying Your Next Toothbrush
      • August (3)
        • What You Can Do About Bad Breath (Unless You're a Famous Actress Pranking Your Co-Star)
        • Take These Steps to Alleviate Chronic Dry Mouth
        • 4 Simple Things You Can Do to Stop Bad Breath
      • July (3)
        • These Digital Tools Increase the Success Rate of Dental Implants
        • Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
        • 3 Things You Can Do to Protect Your Tooth Enamel
      • June (3)
        • A Common Sense Approach to Managing Your Dental Care Costs
        • Crowns Could be the 'Smile' Solution for Some Unattractive Teeth
        • Dakota Johnson and Her Missing Tooth Gap Sparks Online Debate
      • May (3)
        • Limit Sugar in Your Diet for Better Oral and General Health
        • Diet and Lifestyle Changes Could Lower Your Risk of Oral Cancer
        • 3 Surprising Things You Should Be Doing to Improve Your Dental Health
      • April (3)
        • NBA Player's Injury Points Out Need for Mouthguards
        • Why and How to Save a Diseased Tooth
        • Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
      • March (3)
        • Regular Cleanings Benefit Both Your Dental Health and Your Smile
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • There's a Lot of Effort Behind the Scenes to Making Dentures Work for You
      • February (3)
        • Implant Surgery: A Safe and Routine Procedure
        • Some Birth Control Drugs Could Increase Risk of Gum Disease
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
      • January (3)
        • 4 Ways to Check on Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
        • Those Red Patches on Your Tongue are Nothing to be Alarmed About
        • Do You Have Adequate Bone to Support an Implant?
  • 2019
      • December (3)
        • Find Out How These Famous Celebrities Protect Their Smiles From Teeth Grinding
        • Share These Timely Dental Care Tips With Your College-Bound Son or Daughter
        • Your Smile Can Be Your Passport to the World - Take Care of It With These Tips
      • November (3)
        • Waiting to Afford Implants? Consider a Flexible RPD in the Meantime
        • Miley Cyrus's Little Secret: Straightening Her Smile With Lingual Braces
        • 3 Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Crown Restoration
      • October (3)
        • Here's What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
        • The Digital Revolution Is Transforming Implant Therapy
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
      • September (3)
        • Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
        • 4 Diet Changes You Should Make for Better Oral Health
        • Watch Out for These Dental Health Issues as You Age
      • August (3)
        • Bruins' Zdeno Chara Breaks His Jaw During 2019 Stanley Cup
        • Patients with HIV Must Pay Close Attention to Their Oral Health
        • "Tooth, Heal Thyself" May Soon Be a Reality
      • July (3)
        • Floss First or Last? Here are Reasons for Either Approach
        • How Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus Got Their Stellar Smiles
        • Bonding with Composite Resins Ideal for Restoring Chipped Teeth
      • June (3)
        • Stop Root Cavities with Prevention and Prompt Treatment
        • The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
      • May (3)
        • Your Teenager not Ready for an Implant? Here's What We Can Do Instead
        • 4 Tips to Help you Quit the Smoking Habit
        • Your Teenager may need to Wait on an Implant for a Missing Tooth
      • April (3)
        • Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
        • Why You Should Floss Around the Implants Supporting Your Bridge
        • To Fight Tooth Decay Reduce "BAD" factors, Promote "SAFE" Ones
      • March (4)
        • Not a Fan of Using CPAP for Your Sleep Apnea? Consider an Oral Appliance
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Here's How to Manage School Snacks and Your Child's Dental Health
        • Your Dentist can Help Guide you in the Best Treatment Option for Sleep Apnea
      • February (2)
        • You May Need Your Dentist's Help Easing the Pain of Severe Canker Sores
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
      • January (3)
        • Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
        • Limit Acidic Beverages to Protect Your Child's Tooth Enamel from Erosion
        • Dental Implants Better than Ever thanks to Ongoing Tech Advances
  • 2018
      • December (4)
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
        • Keeping Your Smile Healthy Through the Holidays
        • Don't give up on Flossing!
        • FAQs: Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After Gum Disease Treatment
      • November (3)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
        • Gaining a New Attractive Smile is More than Achievable
      • October (3)
        • Tell Your Dentist if You're Having a Shingles Outbreak
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Why You Need a Long-Term Dental Care Plan
      • September (3)
        • The True Cause of Your Gummy Smile Determines How We Treat it
        • Besides Your Health, Shingles Could Affect Your Dental Care
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • August (3)
        • Pros and Cons for Flossing Before Brushing and Vice-Versa
        • Only a Dental Exam can Identify the Root Cause of Your Tooth Pain
        • Know the Risks and Benefits for Same-Day Tooth Replacement
      • July (3)
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • Get Your Vitamins the Natural Way for Optimum Dental Health
        • Treating a Baby Tooth with Inner Decay can be Complicated - but Still Necessary
      • June (3)
        • A Smile Makeover Depends on Balancing Technique with Beauty
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • 4 Reasons why Quitting Chewing Tobacco is Good for Your Oral Health
      • May (3)
        • Your New Implants Need Proper Hygiene Just as Much as your Other Teeth
        • Here's What to Do if Your Child has a Toothache
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
      • April (2)
        • Four Tips for Preventing Premature Loss of Baby Teeth From Tooth Decay
        • Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
      • March (3)
        • Advancing Gum Disease Requires Your Dentist's Intervention
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Developing a Dental Care Strategy Could Save Long-Term Costs
      • February (1)
        • Could Your Metal Allergy Keep You From Obtaining Dental Implants?
      • January (3)
        • Dentures Still an Effective Restoration for Total Tooth Loss
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Help Your Child Develop Good Oral Habits and Avoid Bad Ones
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Beyond Their Marketing Claims, Most Toothpastes are Surprisingly Similar
        • What You can do to Ease that Burning Sensation in Your Mouth
      • November (2)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • Issues to Consider Before Dental Implants
      • October (3)
        • Why Your Teeth Hurt Will Determine How We Treat Them
        • RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
      • September (2)
        • A Teen with a Missing Tooth May Need to Wait on a Dental Implant
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • August (2)
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Threatens Your Dental Implant
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
      • July (2)
        • 3 Steps to a Better Bite and a More Attractive Smile
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • June (2)
        • Don't let Limited Finances Keep you From Needed Dental Care
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • May (2)
        • Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • April (2)
        • Tips on Encouraging Healthy Snacking While Your Child's at School
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • March (3)
        • Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery Could Lower Infection Risk in Some People
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Find Out Why You or Your Partner Snores - it may be Sleep Apnea
      • February (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Adjust Your Diet to Accommodate TMD to Maximize Nutrition
      • January (2)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Get Control of Dry Mouth to Protect Your Dental Health
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk with Better Diet and Lifestyle Choices
      • November (2)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
      • October (2)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
      • September (3)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • What's Causing Your Toothache? The Answer Determines Your Treatment
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
      • August (2)
        • Your Options for Restoring a Chipped Tooth
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
      • July (2)
        • Clear Aligners Reduce Risk for Developing Gum Disease Better than Braces
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
      • June (2)
        • Sedation Therapy can reduce Anxiety in Children during Dental Visits
        • A Royal Fix
      • May (2)
        • Quitting Smoking can Improve the Health of Your Teeth and Gums
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • April (2)
        • The Time Interval to Replant a Knocked Out Tooth Can Affect its Longevity
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • March (2)
        • Know the Kind of Smile You Want Before Cosmetic Dental Treatment
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
      • February (3)
        • Infection Control Standards Keep Dental Patients Safe from Disease
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • 3 Things to do to Prepare for Dental Emergencies While Traveling Abroad
      • January (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • More Than a new Smile - Dental Implants Help Stop Bone Loss as Well
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Changes in Bone Structure can Affect Denture Fit
      • November (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
      • October (3)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Keeping Fluoride to Just the Right Amount Protects Your Family's Smiles
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
      • September (2)
        • Sleeping in Dentures: Don't Do It!
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
      • August (2)
        • Limiting Refined Sugar in Your Diet can Reduce Risk of Tooth Decay
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
      • July (2)
        • Customized Temporary Crowns Help Ensure a Satisfying Permanent Smile
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • June (2)
        • What Is A Baby Tooth Worth?
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • May (2)
        • High Tech Dentistry: How Do We Use a CAT Scan?
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • April (2)
        • Tooth Sensitivity FAQs
        • Cat Cora's 6 Ways to Keep Kids Off Junk Food
      • March (2)
        • Put an End to Bad Oral Habits to Slow the Rate of Tooth Wear
        • Actor Ed Helms' Tooth-Yanking Trick: It Was a Dental Implant!
      • February (2)
        • Certain Factors May Raise Your Risk and the Intensity of Gum Disease
        • What Dental Device Does TV Host Vanna White Keep on her Nightstand?
      • January (2)
        • It's an Art: Determining Tooth Color in Composite Resin Restorations
        • Nancy O'Dell Speaks Out On Her Experiences With Pregnancy Gingivitis
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • Test Your Dental Injuries IQ
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Determining the Right Whitening Approach is Key to Brightening a Dull Smile
      • November (2)
        • Braces Are No Hurdle for Olympic Track Star
        • Kicking the Tobacco Chewing Habit a Must for Long-Term Health
      • October (2)
        • Curt Schilling Blames Smokeless Tobacco for His Oral Cancer
        • Professional Cleanings Help you Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums
      • September (2)
        • A World-Class Smile
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals
      • August (3)
        • Taylor Hicks: I Should Have Worn a Mouthguard!
        • Dental Health: Do You Make the Grade?
        • Avoiding the Jim Carrey Chipped-Tooth Look
      • July (1)
        • Work With Your Child's School to Encourage Healthy Snack Foods
      • June (3)
        • Did You Know? Matinee Idol James Dean Had False Front Teeth!
        • Preserving Your Teeth's Enamel Could Preserve Your Teeth
        • TV Anchor Nancy O'Dell Discusses Pregnancy and Oral Health
      • May (2)
        • What's a Crown Worth? Aesthetics and Value in Tooth Restoration
        • Actress Blythe Danner Is a Leader in the Fight Against Oral Cancer
      • April (2)
        • What's The Difference Between Bridgework and Dental Implants?
        • Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
      • March (3)
        • Take Care of Your Gums and They Will Take Care of You
        • Grandpa Knows Best: How Kristi Yamaguchi Manages Her Kids' Oral Health
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • oral health (35)
  • celebrity smiles (74)
  • oral hygiene (29)
  • inflammation (1)
  • gum disease (9)
  • periodontal disease (2)
  • bleeding gums (1)
  • gingivitis (1)
  • dental implants (19)
  • bridgework (1)
  • oral cancer (7)
  • crown (3)
  • pregnancy (2)
  • smile makeover (4)
  • cosmetic dentistry (10)
  • nutrition (9)
  • chipped tooth (4)
  • dental health (1)
  • mouthguards (4)
  • root canal (1)
  • endodontics (1)
  • orthodontics (5)
  • dental cleanings (2)
  • orthodontic treatment (6)
  • braces (6)
  • teeth whitening (3)
  • chipped teeth (2)
  • sports dentistry (1)
  • dental emergencies (1)
  • dental injuries (1)
  • fillings (1)
  • nightguard (1)
  • grinding teeth (1)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • sensitive teeth (1)
  • x-rays (1)
  • CAT scans (1)
  • baby teeth (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (5)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • crowns (5)
  • bad breath (3)
  • tooth decay (13)
  • dentures (5)
  • toothpaste (3)
  • fluoride (1)
  • diabetes (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • dental emergency (2)
  • infection control (1)
  • porcelain veneers (2)
  • dental injury (7)
  • smoking (2)
  • bonding (2)
  • sedation dentistry (1)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • clear aligners (1)
  • teeth grinding (2)
  • toothache (2)
  • retainers (1)
  • medication (1)
  • veneers (1)
  • dry mouth (2)
  • wisdom teeth (3)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • sleep apnea (5)
  • snoring (5)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • partial dentures (1)
  • tooth pain (5)
  • burning mouth syndrome (1)
  • tobacco (1)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • retainer (2)
  • shingles (2)
  • gummy smile (1)
  • dental visit (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • flossing (1)
  • tooth erosion (1)
  • bone grafting (2)
  • canker sores (1)
  • dental implant (5)
  • bridge (1)
  • mouthrinse (1)
  • floss (1)
  • lingual braces (1)
  • removable partial denture (1)
  • geographic tongue (1)
  • birth control (1)
  • sugar (1)
  • dental care (1)
  • root canal treatment (1)
  • dental cleaning (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Oral Health (112)
  • Dental Procedures (91)

Featured Services

Introducing Invisalign®
The invisible way to straighten your teeth, without braces.

invisalign

The Zoom2 Chairside Whitening System

zoom

Our Location

1801 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 327-1818
(773) 327-1820 Fax
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map