Diet can define health. A balanced diet of healthy foods and drinks is essential for growth and reducing the risk of disease. However, patients with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) may experience pain when chewing. Limitations on certain foods can then make maintaining a balanced diet more difficult.
For patients with TMD, altered dietary habits can have two effects. First, not being able to eat preferred foods can have a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life. However, eating certain foods can also be supportive of TMD by easing the pain.[i] Because of this, dental practitioners must understand and encourage nutritional strategies that help patients with TMD.
Changing diet helps the jawAs the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an essential component for mastication, it is inevitable that those experiencing jaw pain when eating will opt for softer foods.
Modifying the diet for softer foods is common:
Each led to a reduced enjoyment of eating.[ii]
The following foods are not advisable for those with TMJ pain: hard cheeses, breads with seeds, fresh fruits with skins, sweets and fried meats.
Instead, smooth yoghurts, soft cheeses, soft breads without seeds, pancakes, pasta, gnocchi, rice, canned fruits, smoothies, cooked vegetables and cream-based soups are far more agreeable for the TMJ.[iii]
A healthy diet for the whole bodyWhilst a soft diet may alleviate pain the short term, it can lead to deficiencies in minerals and vitamins if certain food groups are neglected. For instance, Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. An interdisciplinary approach that accounts for the whole body is therefore needed.[iv]
There is limited evidence on nutritional approaches to TMD pain. However, high levels of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats can lead to various health conditions associated with TMD. This includes rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition that can affect the TMJ.[v]
Four diets stand-out for their effectiveness in reducing chronic pain from RA, headaches, musculoskeletal pain and more TMD-associated conditions:
All are rich in antioxidants, which reduce inflammation. Whilst a full diet switch can be a big step, eating foods with omega-3 fatty acids is an easier option. Omega-3 fatty acids alleviate chronic pain and other symptoms and are commonly found in fish and oils.[vii]
Take control of your recoveryDiet management for TMD can have many long-term health benefits, if a balanced diet is maintained. An extra benefit is that it empowers patients with TMD to take control of their recovery.
Along with dietary changes, patients can restore strength and function to the TMJ with the OraStretchâ Press Rehab System from Total TMJ. A user-operated device, it is simple to implement yet shows notable improvements within a week. By inserting the mouthpiece and squeezing the handles, patients mobilise the TMJ and stretch the orofacial tissues. Diligent exercises, as recommended by a healthcare professional, ultimately lead to a stronger jaw, improving mastication, speech and reducing pain for a better quality of life.
Changing diets can have a major impact on our health. For patients with TMD, being unable to eat certain foods should not be the be all or end all – by modifying their diets they can not only enjoy eating again, but can also reap the many health benefits and reduce the symptoms of TMD.
For more details about Total TMJ and the products available, please email info@totaltmj.co.uk
[i] Kajita Piriyaprasath, Yoshito Kakihara, Hasegawa, M., Iwamoto, Y., Hasegawa, Y., Fujii, N., Yamamura, K. and Okamoto, K. (2024). Nutritional Strategies for Chronic Craniofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders: Current Clinical and Preclinical Insights. Nutrients, [online] 16(17), pp.2868–2868. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172868.
[ii] Edwards, D.C., Bowes, C.C., Penlington, C. and Durham, J. (2021). Temporomandibular disorders and dietary changes: A cross‐sectional survey. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 48(8), pp.873–879. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13210.
[iii] TMD Nutrition and You. (n.d.). Available at: http://tmj.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TMJ_nutrition_Guide.pdf [Accessed 27 Oct. 2025].
[iv] Kajita Piriyaprasath, Yoshito Kakihara, Hasegawa, M., Iwamoto, Y., Hasegawa, Y., Fujii, N., Yamamura, K. and Okamoto, K. (2024). Nutritional Strategies for Chronic Craniofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders: Current Clinical and Preclinical Insights. Nutrients, [online] 16(17), pp.2868–2868. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172868.
[v] Link to external site, this link will open in a new window (2021). Temporomandibular disorders in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and at-risk individuals in the Dutch population: a cross-sectional study. ProQuest. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001485.
[vi] Kajita Piriyaprasath, Yoshito Kakihara, Hasegawa, M., Iwamoto, Y., Hasegawa, Y., Fujii, N., Yamamura, K. and Okamoto, K. (2024). Nutritional Strategies for Chronic Craniofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders: Current Clinical and Preclinical Insights. Nutrients, [online] 16(17), pp.2868–2868. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172868.
[vii] National Institutes of Health (2022). Office of Dietary Supplements – Omega-3 Fatty Acids. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/.