diagnosed with TMJ, need soft food ideas!

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2

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  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
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    I have TMJ and when the join gets sore I try to stick with jello, soups, stews (cooked until very tender and then cut into small pieces to eat). Beans cooked until very tender/creamy.

    Soft foods will help while you are recovering. My doctor has also given me prescription dosages of Aleve to use as needed for acute pain. When I was diagnosed, the joint was so swollen the doctor prescribed steroids to reduce the inflammation. Sleeping with a night guard has really helped me.
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
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    I had a bad case of this last year. All the ideas people listed are great I just wanted to say don't forget to massage from the temples down and also inside your mouth at the joint of the jaw. That helped me more than anything else. This may sound crazy but you should also massage your feet, it's all connected and it really does help. Good luck!

    hope you're better now :) it makes me feel really crappy.
    will defo massage my feet though. would get my partner to do it but i'm too ticklish and would probably kick him haha
  • vick9180
    vick9180 Posts: 144 Member
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    I have TMJ disorder...I went to a specialist and got an orthotic for my mouth. Could your dentist refer you to someone like that? The orthotic forced my lower jaw forward so I wasn't clenching and it kept the little discs from sliding out of the joint, which is what causes the popping. My headaches have subsided and I no longer have any clicking or popping or jaw pain. I have no limitations on what types of food I can eat. The orthotic basically forces the muscles into the correct position and after just a few weeks, they stay that way. When I first got the orthotic, I wore it at night and anytime I was doing things that didn't require a lot of talking. And after the first few months, I only wore it to sleep, and now I very rarely use it and haven't had any issues.
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
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    I was also told by my dentist and ENT that I have TMJ. I believe it was caused by grinding my teeth while I sleep! I do have a night guard but it is not comfortable and very rarely wear it! I also noticed that when I get stressed I clinch my Jaw which does not help. My ENT gave me muscle relaxers. He never mentioned the soft food diet.

    i didn't get any muscle relaxers! Can you get them over the counter or do they have to be prescibed?
  • shrek1970uk
    shrek1970uk Posts: 83 Member
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    What is 'tmj'. ??
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
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    I have TMJ disorder...I went to a specialist and got an orthotic for my mouth. Could your dentist refer you to someone like that? The orthotic forced my lower jaw forward so I wasn't clenching and it kept the little discs from sliding out of the joint, which is what causes the popping. My headaches have subsided and I no longer have any clicking or popping or jaw pain. I have no limitations on what types of food I can eat. The orthotic basically forces the muscles into the correct position and after just a few weeks, they stay that way. When I first got the orthotic, I wore it at night and anytime I was doing things that didn't require a lot of talking. And after the first few months, I only wore it to sleep, and now I very rarely use it and haven't had any issues.

    hmm i'll ask about this when i go back in 2 weeks. thank you.

    my top jaw is too far forward and my lower is too far back. So yeah, maybe i need something like you had. I'm petrified of clicking in case it locks and i really don't fancy having it put back in place.
  • vick9180
    vick9180 Posts: 144 Member
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    Temporalmandibular joint -- that's the name of the jaw joint
  • RollinwithRach
    RollinwithRach Posts: 35 Member
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    Hey! Sorry to hear about the TMJ. I was really sick last year and was restricted to liquids (and then clear fluids) for two months sp maybe I can help. Here are my suggestions:

    Boost and/or Ensure (however, I personally prefer the Carnation Instant Breafast powders that you mix with real milk)
    Low-Sodium Soups (or you can make some from scratch)
    Jello (I personally detest it but you may not)
    Yogurt
    Eggs/Egg Whites
    Oatmeal
    Organic/Sugar-Free Apple Sauce
    Low-Sodium V8
    Hummus
    Cottage Cheese
    Quinoa/Brown Rice
    Rice Krispies/Corn Flakes
    Mashed potatoe/carrots/turnips/cauliflower
    Bananas
    Avocados
    Tuna Salad/Egg Salad
    Fruit Smoothies
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
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    What is 'tmj'. ??

    something horrible lol Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporomandibular_joint_disorder

    Pain in the jaw along with clicking and popping. It's just a dull ache
  • Mcmilligen
    Mcmilligen Posts: 332 Member
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    You should experiment with smoothies! You can load so much nutrients in to them. Also, oatmeal is great too. You can cook almost anything up in to it and it will be come soft, warm and delicious.
    Also:
    Homemade soups, stews
    Mashed Cauliflower
    Bananas
    Roasted Apples
    Curries or stir fries (simmered so everything becomes soft: chickpeas, tofu, broccoli, carrots, etc)
  • jlwbeans0823
    jlwbeans0823 Posts: 178 Member
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    Mashed butternut squash/sweet potatoes. Hope you feel better!
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
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    Hey! Sorry to hear about the TMJ. I was really sick last year and was restricted to liquids (and then clear fluids) for two months sp maybe I can help. Here are my suggestions:

    Boost and/or Ensure (however, I personally prefer the Carnation Instant Breafast powders that you mix with real milk)
    Low-Sodium Soups (or you can make some from scratch)
    Jello (I personally detest it but you may not)
    Yogurt
    Eggs/Egg Whites
    Oatmeal
    Organic/Sugar-Free Apple Sauce
    Low-Sodium V8
    Hummus
    Cottage Cheese
    Quinoa/Brown Rice
    Rice Krispies/Corn Flakes
    Mashed potatoe/carrots/turnips/cauliflower
    Bananas
    Avocados
    Tuna Salad/Egg Salad
    Fruit Smoothies

    thank you! i have my protein shakes and bought ready brek today as i find oats too chewy right now lol
    jello...that's jelly right? i didn't even think of that. YUM :happy:
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
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    You should experiment with smoothies! You can load so much nutrients in to them. Also, oatmeal is great too. You can cook almost anything up in to it and it will be come soft, warm and delicious.
    Also:
    Homemade soups, stews
    Mashed Cauliflower
    Bananas
    Roasted Apples
    Curries or stir fries (simmered so everything becomes soft: chickpeas, tofu, broccoli, carrots, etc)

    thank you :) so glad it's autumn nearly because i don't know what i'd eat haha
    i feel like an old woman with all these mashed and pureed ideas lol
  • vick9180
    vick9180 Posts: 144 Member
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    I have TMJ disorder...I went to a specialist and got an orthotic for my mouth. Could your dentist refer you to someone like that? The orthotic forced my lower jaw forward so I wasn't clenching and it kept the little discs from sliding out of the joint, which is what causes the popping. My headaches have subsided and I no longer have any clicking or popping or jaw pain. I have no limitations on what types of food I can eat. The orthotic basically forces the muscles into the correct position and after just a few weeks, they stay that way. When I first got the orthotic, I wore it at night and anytime I was doing things that didn't require a lot of talking. And after the first few months, I only wore it to sleep, and now I very rarely use it and haven't had any issues.

    hmm i'll ask about this when i go back in 2 weeks. thank you.

    my top jaw is too far forward and my lower is too far back. So yeah, maybe i need something like you had. I'm petrified of clicking in case it locks and i really don't fancy having it put back in place.

    Yes, ask! It was such a good thing for me. It took some getting used to, but the relief I've had because of it has been wonderful! The way that it's designed would prevent you from putting your thumb in your mouth at night too. It has a ramp on the bottom so your bottom teeth slide into place, and since it's a really hard plastic, your thumb wouldn't fit! As you adapt, they shave part of the ramp off so it becomes more comfortable to wear.
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
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    Mashed butternut squash/sweet potatoes. Hope you feel better!

    i will defo try that combo! love butternut squash soup but i can never make it right lol

    thank you! i do too. My teeth didn't hurt this morning because i didn't suck my thumb so fingers crossed this will work!
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,179 Member
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    Take anything put it in...aaaanndd done.


    56221_hero.jpg&sa=X&ei=X9tAUNquEMPEyQHmhICYAw&ved=0CAQQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNHYG70lUQ2zDBG8a9I-GKav6BOBpQ



    Seriously though though I have jaw issues too, I know how you feel.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
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    CHILI!

    I hear you. I have SEVERE TMJ problems and can't get them taken care of. Dental doesn't cover it and very few doctors will. The only doctor I found requires a $1500 deposit just for a consultation!
  • apedeb09
    apedeb09 Posts: 805 Member
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    Soup!! When I had a tooth infection, I could barely even open my jaw to eat so I had to have soup everyday... I swear corn chowder saved my life! :laugh:
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
    Options
    I have TMJ disorder...I went to a specialist and got an orthotic for my mouth. Could your dentist refer you to someone like that? The orthotic forced my lower jaw forward so I wasn't clenching and it kept the little discs from sliding out of the joint, which is what causes the popping. My headaches have subsided and I no longer have any clicking or popping or jaw pain. I have no limitations on what types of food I can eat. The orthotic basically forces the muscles into the correct position and after just a few weeks, they stay that way. When I first got the orthotic, I wore it at night and anytime I was doing things that didn't require a lot of talking. And after the first few months, I only wore it to sleep, and now I very rarely use it and haven't had any issues.

    hmm i'll ask about this when i go back in 2 weeks. thank you.

    my top jaw is too far forward and my lower is too far back. So yeah, maybe i need something like you had. I'm petrified of clicking in case it locks and i really don't fancy having it put back in place.

    Yes, ask! It was such a good thing for me. It took some getting used to, but the relief I've had because of it has been wonderful! The way that it's designed would prevent you from putting your thumb in your mouth at night too. It has a ramp on the bottom so your bottom teeth slide into place, and since it's a really hard plastic, your thumb wouldn't fit! As you adapt, they shave part of the ramp off so it becomes more comfortable to wear.

    i would probably find a way to fit it in there haha i used a sock lastnight on my hand!

    i feel like there is a lot of pressure being put on the bottom jaw. I will make a note :)
  • TxAngel79
    TxAngel79 Posts: 318 Member
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    I have severe TMJ, actually woke up this morning with my jaw real sore and tight! However I don't eat a soft food diet! My Dr told me not to chew gum as much! There is a lot they can do for it!! Look into it! I wish you the best of luck!!

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