Why Does My Jaw Hurt and It’s Hard to Chew?

The temporomandibular joint allows your jaw to move in multiple directions, assisting with actions like speaking and eating. A TMJ disorder can cause irregular jaw movements, directly affecting your ability to chew. Symptoms may include discomfort or pain while chewing, pain around your ear, jaw joint or chewing muscles, and a grating or popping sensation in your jaw when you chew or open your mouth.

Various factors can lead to TMJ disorders, such as jaw or face injury, arthritis, teeth grinding, misalignment of teeth, and stress. In extreme cases, a TMJ disorder can cause your jaw to lock or become stuck in an open or closed position, making it difficult or impossible to chew.

In addition, TMJ disorder can alter the way your upper and lower teeth fit together, complicating chewing and potentially leading to tooth damage due to abnormal pressure while chewing. The discomfort or difficulty experienced during chewing can cause dietary changes, such as avoiding chewy foods like meats or raw vegetables, which may lead to nutritional deficiencies.

If you’re experiencing persistent pain or discomfort while chewing, it’s essential to seek medical advice, as it could be a symptom of TMJ disorder. At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, our healthcare professionals can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend suitable treatments to manage your condition and improve your quality of life. Treatment options may include pain or anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy to improve jaw function, injections of corticosteroids into the jaw joint, or surgery to correct jaw misalignment or repair a damaged joint.

In the meantime, to alleviate discomfort and improve your ability to eat, consider eating soft foods that are easy to chew, cutting foods into small pieces, avoiding hard or chewy foods, using a straw to drink liquids, applying ice to your jaw to reduce swelling, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Remember, TMJ disorder can significantly impact your ability to chew, making eating a challenging and often painful task. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help from Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders if you’re experiencing difficulties chewing due to a potential TMJ disorder.

Patients with TMJ disorders often experience inflammation and pain in their jaw muscles and joints, which can be exacerbated by chewing. This pain can turn mealtimes into a source of discomfort, forcing individuals to avoid certain foods that might strain the jaw.

In some cases, TMJ can even cause the jaw to lock or become stuck in a position, limiting mouth opening and making it challenging to eat. This disorder can even lead to a misaligned bite, where the upper and lower teeth do not meet correctly, causing further pain during eating and potential digestive problems if food isn’t chewed properly.

In severe cases, TMJ disorders can significantly alter the way the upper and lower teeth fit together, leading to difficulties in biting or chewing. This could potentially result in weight loss or malnutrition, as the person may struggle to eat enough to maintain their health.

We have a range of strategies to both address the underlying cause of TMJ disorder and improve your jaw function.

1. Jaw Exercises and Stretches: Our team can guide you through gentle jaw exercises and stretches that can help strengthen your jaw muscles, increase flexibility, and improve the range of motion. We can provide personalized recommendations based on your condition and needs.

2. Massage: We can teach you how to perform a simple massage to alleviate your TMJ pain. This can help you manage your discomfort at home, whenever you need to.

3. Soft Diet: We can also provide dietary advice to reduce strain on your TMJ and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to heal.

4. Good Posture: Our team can provide guidance on how to maintain good posture, especially when sitting for long periods.

5. Heat or Cold Therapy: We can advise on the effective use of heat or cold therapy to help alleviate pain from TMJ disorder.

6. Pain Medication: We can provide guidance on over-the-counter pain relievers to manage your pain and reduce inflammation under the supervision of our healthcare professionals.

7. Oral Appliance: One major cause of TMJ dysfunction is grinding or clenching of the teeth, which can be reduced with the use of an oral appliance, especially at night.

8. Relaxation Techniques: Stress management is key in managing TMJ pain. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, yoga, or meditation can help you manage stress and reduce muscle tension around your TMJ.

9. Medical Treatment: If your pain persists despite these strategies, other treatment options such as injections of corticosteroids into the TMJ, physical therapy, or in some cases, surgery may be suggested. At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we provide comprehensive care for TMJ pain. We’re here to help you manage your pain and improve your quality of life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you manage your TMJ disorder.