Whether you’re about to eat a quick snack or a full meal, you know that you’re going to have to chew! You’ll be opening and closing your mouth, which means putting your TMJs (temporomandibular joints or jaw joints) to work. This is all well and good in a very healthy mouth. However, if you’re faced with a sore jaw, this can lead to discomfort and aggravation. Learn more about how to make this work for you with our Q&A session (and, of course, you should also see us ASAP for treatment!).

Questions and Answers

Question: Does it really matter which types of foods I eat? Or, will they all lead to the same amount of aggravation for my already sore jaw?

Answer: Yes, it makes a difference. Avoid anything that is taxing to your jaw, which means skip tough, hard, crunchy, sticky, tacky, and gummy food.

Question: Is there anything I can do before I take a bite to make it easier to get through my meal without irritating my jaw joints?

Answer: Your sore jaws need to move as little as possible and you need to open only as wide as you really need to. To help protect your jaw health, we suggest cutting your food down into very small pieces before you bite.

Question: Is there anything you find patients often overlook?

Answer: It’s possible that if you have dry mouth or simply need additional moisture, it will take much longer to break your food down. Treat a true dry mouth problem or simply sip water during your meal to increase moisture for more efficient chewing!

See Our Team About Your Sore Jaw ASAP

Never ignore a sore jaw. Instead, schedule a dental visit with us right away, so we can assist you in protecting your TMJs and overall oral health. Schedule care with your Southlake, TX dentist today by calling Gregory Wright, DDS at (817) 481-7999. We gladly serve patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and surrounding areas.