Archive:
- 2019
- November (7)
- 3 Tips for Helping Your Child Feel More Comfortable Going to the Dentist
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- How Dental Implants Can Restore Your Smile
- Here's What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
- Keep Oral Care in Focus for a Family Member With Special Needs
- Having Diabetes Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
- October (6)
- The Before, During and After of Root Canal Treatments
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- These Popular Drinks Could Put Your Enamel in Danger of Erosion
- It Takes Both You and Your Hygienist to Keep Your Smile Healthy and Beautiful
- How to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk From Halloween Candy
- Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
- September (6)
- Despite Some Online Sources, Root Canals Don't Cause Disease
- Tooth Type and Condition can Affect Root Canal Therapy Effectiveness
- 4 Ways You Can Take Years off Your Smile
- If Appropriate, Antibiotics before Implant Surgery Could Reduce Infection Risk
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Improve Your Bone Health
- Dental Office Infection Control Protects You From Viral Infection
- August (7)
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
- Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
- Make Sure Your Kids' Teeth Are Ready for School
- You Need a Dentist to Remove Tartar From Your Teeth
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Getting an Implant - if it's Under Control
- A Detailed 'Smile Analysis' Sets the Stage for a Successful Makeover
- July (7)
- 3 Ways to Protect Your Teeth in the Great Outdoors
- Taking a Trip Abroad? Do This to Protect Your Dental Health
- FAQs about Root Canal Therapy
- Root Canal Treatment Alleviates Pain and Saves Your Tooth
- Do a Little Extra Food Prep to Ease TMD Discomfort
- What Happens in a Root Canal Treatment and How it Can Save Your Tooth
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- June (6)
- Answering Your Questions about Your Upcoming Teeth Whitening
- Considering a Smile Makeover? Be Sure You Include Your Bite
- Smoking Could Shorten Your Implants' Longevity
- Jaw Joint Disorders may be Connected to Other Health Problems
- Affordable Veneers Can Give You a New Smile
- Improve Your Dental Health by Mastering Your Brushing Skills
- May (6)
- Transforming Your Smile with Veneers, Step by Step
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- Your Teenager not Ready for an Implant? Here's What We Can Do Instead
- Root Canal Therapy Might Just Save Your Tooth!
- Root Canals are a Safe Way to Save Teeth
- Your Teenager's Teeth May Not Be Mature Enough for Veneers
- April (7)
- E-Cigs Could be Just as Hazardous for Your Teeth and Gums as Cigarettes
- Your Sinus Infection Might be a Sign of a Tooth Problem
- What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
- Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
- How Dental Crowns Protect Your Teeth
- 3 Questions to Answer Before Your Smile Makeover
- Why You Should Floss Around the Implants Supporting Your Bridge
- March (6)
- 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
- 4 Common-Sense Tactics to Lower Tooth Decay Risk Between Dental Visits
- 3 Ways to Take the Jitters Out of Dental Visits
- Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
- Here's What you Need to Know about a Root Canal Treatment
- February (6)
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Your Toothache is Telling you Something's Wrong in Your Mouth
- Take Care of Your Gums, Take Care of Your Heart
- Watch Out for Re-Infection After a Root Canal Treatment
- Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
- January (7)
- Dental Implants Better than Ever thanks to Ongoing Tech Advances
- You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
- Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
- People Born with Missing Teeth can Still Gain a Beautiful Smile
- Straighten Your Smile Discreetly With Invisalign
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- 2018
- December (6)
- Early Action Needed to Save Your Tooth from Root Resorption
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
- Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
- A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
- Don't give up on Flossing!
- November (6)
- A Crown Could be the Answer to Preserving Your Damaged Tooth
- A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
- Tooth Troubles for NBA Star Isaiah Thomas
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- Increase Your Implant's Success Chances by Keeping Your Gums Healthy
- A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
- October (6)
- Create a Strategy to Deal with Dental Problems to Avoid Future Expenses
- Customized Temporary Crowns let you 'Rehearse' Your Future Smile
- Get a Look at Your Future Makeover Look Now with a 'Trial Smile'
- Dental Implants can also Support Other Traditional Restorations
- How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- September (7)
- 3 Reasons for Why It's a Smart Move to Invest in Dental Implants
- Support Your Child's Teeth Development with Proper Hygiene and Dental Care
- Does My Tooth Need To Be Extracted?
- Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
- What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
- Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
- Look After Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment to Avoid Dental Disease
- July (7)
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- Teenagers with Missing Teeth Usually Need a Temporary Restoration
- Lasers Adding New Precision and Efficiency to Root Canal Treatments
- Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
- Your Dental Care Efforts are Just as Important as Your Dentist's
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- June (7)
- Help Your Child Develop Good Oral Habits and Avoid Bad Ones
- Caps, Gowns and Smiles for High School Graduation
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
- Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Becomes a Major Health Issue
- May (6)
- Take Steps to Treat Chronic Mouth Breathing as Early as Possible
- Keep Your Baby's Fluoride Intake within Moderate Limits
- Replace Teeth for Better Speech
- Recreational Marijuana Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
- See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- Getting Dental Implants Requires Minor Surgery
- April (6)
- Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
- Signs You May Need a Filling
- If You're not a Good Candidate for Dental Implants, Consider Bridgework
- Worried about Your Child's School Snack Choices? Here's What You Can Do
- Your Teen Could get a Straighter Smile with Clear Aligners Rather than Braces
- Protect Your Smile - National Facial Protection Month
- 2017
- November (5)
- Tooth Decay can be Less of a Problem with Minimally Invasive Dentistry
- Antibiotics Could Help Ensure your Implant Surgery is Successful
- For Your Teeth's Sake, Exercise Caution Consuming Energy or Sports Drinks
- Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
- How Effective is Your Oral Hygiene? Find Out with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- September (6)
- Your Next Dental Visit Might Save Your Life - Here's How
- Your 'Smile Makeover' Should Uniquely Reflect You
- Back-to-School Is an Excellent Time for a Dental Checkup
- A Smile Makeover Depends on Balancing Technique with Beauty
- Want Straighter Teeth?
- Regular Flossing not Your Thing? Try an Oral Irrigator
- July (5)
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Not All Bacteria are Harmful to Oral Health
- Here are the Facts on the Impact of Metal Allergies on Dental Work
- Besides Your Health, Shingles Could Affect Your Dental Care
- You'll Experience Little to No Discomfort During and After Implant Surgery
- June (6)
- Be Alert to the Unintended Consequences of Cancer Treatment to Oral Health
- Don't Neglect Your Flossing
- Teens with Missing Teeth may need a Temporary Fix Until They're Older
- Professional Whitening Offers an Effective Way to Restore Your Smile's Luster
- Even with Mercury, Dental Amalgam is a Safe Choice for Tooth Filling
- Answers to Common Questions About Root Canal Treatments
- March (6)
- What's Causing Your Throbbing Toothache?
- A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth
- Why Regular Dental Visits Are Important
- A Root Canal Treatment can Save Your Tooth and Relieve Pain
- Know the Facts Before Considering Botox for Jaw Joint Pain
- A Teen's Missing Tooth May Require a Temporary Replacement
- 2016
- November (5)
- Follow These Common Sense Steps When Your Child has a Toothache
- Where - and How - Does it Hurt? Getting to the Source of Tooth Pain
- Transform Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers
- Don't Let the Acid in Sports and Energy Drinks Ruin Your Tooth Enamel
- We can Minimize Discomfort from Canker Sores with a few Basic Treatments
- October (5)
- The Type of Tooth Pain You Have Could be Telling You What's Wrong
- Take Your Dentures out at Night to Extend Their Usefulness
- 3 Things to do to Prepare for Dental Emergencies While Traveling Abroad
- Inflammation is a Key Element in Both Oral and Systemic Diseases
- What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
- August (5)
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- Metal Dental Amalgam: Still a Safe and Effective Tooth Filling
- Increase Bone Mass for Dental Implants through Grafting
- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- See Your new Look Before Dental Work with a 'Trial Smile'
- July (5)
- You can Still have Implants with Diabetes - if you have it under Control
- Don't Forget Hidden Fluoride Sources Your Family Could be Ingesting
- Quitting Smoking Decreases Your Risk of Implant Failure
- 4 Diet Changes You Should Make for Better Oral Health
- Teens Benefit Most from A Temporary Solution to Missing Teeth
- March (6)
- 5 Ways to Make Your Smile More Confident and Inviting
- Changes in Bone Structure can Affect Denture Fit
- Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
- Stopping Tooth Decay Could Require Root Canal Treatment
- What Is Dental Bonding?
- Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit
- 2015
- December (5)
- Have Teeth or Jaw Problems Checked Before Your Next Flight or Dive
- Improve Your Brushing and Flossing Habit with These Tips
- Taking the Right Steps to Prevent Early Tooth Decay in Children
- Some Patients Might Need Antibiotics Before Routine Dental Work
- Bitewing X-Rays Provide Early Detection of Tooth Decay in Back Teeth
- July (5)
- Cleaning Around Implants Crucial to Protecting Them from Loss
- What you can Expect if You're Undergoing Implant Surgery
- Clear Aligners Provide a Less Embarrassing Orthodontic Choice for Teens
- 3 Questions You Should Ask before Undergoing Teeth Whitening
- Treatment Options to Keep Stress From Causing Dental Problems
- March (5)
- Braces and Other Orthodontic Appliances: Which Type Is Best for You?
- Eating Disorders May Contribute to Damaged Teeth and Gums
- Whiten Your Teeth For A Better First Impression
- Did You Know? February Is National Children's Dental Health Month!
- Daily Hygiene Tasks Performed Properly Help Ensure Good Oral Health
- 2014
- August (5)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Inlays and Onlays
- Replace Missing Teeth to Prevent Other Teeth From Moving Out of Place
- Dental-Friendly Chewing Gum can be Beneficial to Your Oral Health
- Home vs. Professional Teeth Whitening - Weighing Your Options
- Dental Implant Surgery is a Routine, Worry-Free Procedure
- May (5)
- The Importance of Oral Hygiene During Cancer Treatment
- Jaw Pain Could be Linked to Other Pain Causing Conditions
- Why should you visit your dentist regularly?
- Did You Know? Minor Tooth Contouring and Reshaping Can Enhance Your Smile!
- Help Your Mouth's Ability to Fight Tooth Decay With Better Hygiene and Diet
- 2013
- December (6)
- Battling Bruxism and Saving Your Teeth
- Bad Eating Habits and Oral Health in Orlando
- Taking the Stress Out of Childhood Dental Visits
- TLC for Your Toothbrush
- Treating Accessory Root Canals Improves the Chances for a Successful Tooth Recovery
- Your Body's Intolerance to Gluten can Cause Dental Problems
- 2012
- August (7)
- Seven Things You Should Know About Oral Cancer
- The Effects Ordinary Tap Water Has On Your Oral Health
- How Modern Dental Fillings Mimic Real Teeth
- Matching Game: Which Smile Design Technique Is Right for You?
- Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Right for You?
- Tips for Maintaining and Caring for Your Dentures
- How Do Clear Orthodontic Aligners Work?
- 2011
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Marcia Martinez, D.M.D.
Orlando, FL 32812


Because it requires jaw movement, eating can be difficult and painful if you have a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). During flareups you may switch to foods that are easier to eat but may be less nutritious than those you're giving up.
But there are ways to keep healthier foods in your diet while minimizing TMD discomfort. In many cases, it's a matter of preparing your food differently. Here are a variety of food groups known for their nutritional value and what you can do to prepare them for easier eating with TMD.
Fruits and Vegetables. You should peel any fruits or vegetables with hard or chewy skin like apples, peaches or cucumbers. Try chopping or pureeing fruits and vegetables you can eat raw to reduce their size and make them easier to chew. Vegetables like carrots, potatoes, broccoli or cauliflower can be cooked, then chopped or mashed.
Legumes and nuts. Pod-based vegetables like beans or peas provide a number of nutritional elements, as do nuts with their healthy fats. Your motto with these foods should be "Not too large and not too hard." Be sure then to cook, mash or puree legumes that are larger than a pea. With nuts, try nut butters for a softer serving than eating them out of the shell.
Protein and Dairy. Any meats like poultry or beef should be cut into bite-sized pieces; you can also moisten them with broths, gravies or sauces for easier chewing, or braise or stew them in liquid to tenderize them. You can also consume most milk, yogurt or cheese products you can tolerate. If you can't, try alternatives like meal replacement or whey protein beverages.
Grains. Prepare grains by cooking them until they're softened. Hot cereals like oatmeal offer a lot of nutrition and they're relatively easy to eat. Toast your bread and cut the slice into smaller pieces to minimize jaw movement.
One last tip: take your time while eating. A slower rate not only helps you enjoy your food more, it reduces the amount of work your jaws perform while eating. Less jaw work can help further ease the discomfort of TMD.
If you would like more information on how to relieve TMD pain and dysfunction, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “What to Eat When TMJ Pain Flares Up.”