TMJ Disorders

Diet & Foods to Avoid

The "Two-Finger" Rule: If you have to open your mouth wider than two fingers to eat it, cut it smaller. Break rotis into tiny morsels before putting them in your mouth.

Chew Evenly: Most people have a "dominant" side they chew on. Consciously try to chew on both sides of the mouth simultaneously or alternate sides to balance the muscle load.

Liquid Days: On days when the pain is high, switch to a liquid/semi-solid diet:

Smoothies: Banana and berry smoothies.
Pureed Soups: Tomato, Palak, or Dal soup.

Cooking Technique: "Overcook" your pasta, rice, and veggies slightly so they are softer than usual.

Foods to Avoid

The texture of the food is just as important as the nutrient content. You must avoid foods that force the jaw to work hard or open too wide.

Chewy & Sticky:
- Chewing Gum: The absolute worst habit for TMJ. It exhausts the jaw muscles.
- Sticky Sweets: Avoid Chikki (peanut brittle), Eclairs/Toffees, and chewy Halwa or Barfi.
- Thick Breads: Avoid thick Naan, Tandoori Roti, or Pizza crusts that require a "tear and pull" motion.
Hard & Crunchy:
- Raw Vegetables: Avoid raw carrots, radishes (mooli), and cucumbers unless they are grated finely.
- Nuts: Whole almonds, walnuts, and roasted hard chana are dangerous for the joint.
- Hard Snacks: No Chakli, Murukku, Mathri, or crispy Papads.
Foods that require wide mouth opening:
- Large Bites: Avoid eating whole apples, corn on the cob (Bhutta), or large burgers/vada pav. You must not open your mouth wide. Cut everything into small, bite-sized pieces.

Foods to Include

Focus on a Soft Diet and Anti-Inflammatory Foods. The food should be mashable with a spoon.

Soft Proteins:
- Dals & Khichdi: Well-cooked Moong Dal or Masoor Dal is perfect. Khichdi (rice + lentils cooked soft) is the ideal TMJ meal as it requires almost no chewing.
- Eggs: Scrambled eggs (Bhurji) are softer and easier to eat than hard-boiled eggs.
- Paneer: Soft, fresh paneer cubes or grated paneer bhurji.
Joint-Healing Nutrients:
- Omega-3s: Walnuts (powdered or soaked/soft), Flaxseeds (ground into powder), and Fatty Fish help reduce joint inflammation.
- Magnesium: Helps relax tight jaw muscles. Eat Spinach (Palak), Bananas, and Curd (Dahi).
Vegetables (Cooked Soft):
- Steam or pressure cook vegetables like Lauki (Bottle Gourd), Pumpkin (Kaddu), Potatoes, and Sweet Potatoes until they are very soft.

This diet advice is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical consultation.

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