Looking For Ways To Heal Your TMJ Disorder Faster? Here Are Some Helpful Tips!

Do you suffer from TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder? TMJ disorders can be painful and debilitating, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. If you’re struggling with TMJ disorder, there are steps you can take to speed up the healing process. A dentist shares these 5 tips to help you get on the road to recovery after TMJ treatment in Albuquerque.

Eat Soft Foods:

Eating soft foods is an important part of the healing process for TMJ disorder. Eating softer foods reduces the amount of strain on the jaw and can help alleviate the pain associated with TMJ disorder. So, avoid crunchy, hard, or chewy foods while your jaw is healing.

Soft foods that are ideal for TMJ disorder include

• Oatmeal
• Mashed potatoes
• Scrambled eggs
• Soups
• Stews
• Cooked cereal
• Yogurt
• Smoothies
• Cooked vegetables and fruits, and
• Fish.

Avoid any food that requires a lot of chewing, such as raw vegetables or nuts. Soft breads, pasta dishes, and soft-cooked rice can also be good choices.

If you’re having difficulty eating due to TMJ-related pain, start off by trying a liquid diet of soup, smoothies, and shakes. As you start to heal and feel better, you can move on to other soft foods.

Apply a Cold Pack:

According to a TMJ specialist in Albuquerque, applying a cold pack is one of the easiest and most effective ways to speed up the healing process of TMJ disorder. When a cold pack is applied to the area, it helps reduce inflammation and can provide relief from the pain associated with TMJ disorder.

It’s important to use a cold pack safely and correctly. Make sure that the cold pack is wrapped in a thin cloth or towel before placing it on the affected area. Keep the cold pack on the affected area for no more than 20 minutes at a time, and never apply it directly to your skin.

Maintain Good Posture:

Good posture is key when it comes to recovering from TMJ disorder. Slouching or hunching over puts extra strain on the jaw, neck and shoulders and can worsen your TMJ pain. To maintain good posture while recovering, it’s important to sit up straight and keep your chin level with the ground.

You should also try to keep your shoulders back and relaxed. If you find yourself hunching over, take a break from what you are doing and take a few deep breaths. Doing this regularly can help alleviate TMJ pain and help speed up healing.

Avoid Bad Habits:

A TMJ specialist in Albuquerque suggests avoiding the following:

• Try to limit the use of hard foods such as popcorn and steak, or crunchy foods like potato chips and hard candy. These will all put extra strain on your jaw muscles and make them work harder.
• Smoking, chewing tobacco, and alcohol consumption can also trigger discomfort in the jaw muscles and should be avoided if possible.
• Avoid yelling, nail biting and similar activities that will hurt your jaw.

With simple lifestyle changes and instructions from your expert TMJ dentist in Albuquerque, you can facilitate the healing process and lead a peaceful life. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your dental professional.