Foods to Avoid for TMJ Pain

When dealing with TMJ, it is important to know about certain habits that can trigger pain or prolong already existing pain. Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics of Orland Park, IL wants to remind our patients suffering with TMJ of what foods to avoid. We will even let you know ways around them!

To begin, crunchy and hard foods can be very aggravating to the TMJs. Popcorn and chips should be avoided. Hard foods like raw carrots and other vegetables can also irritate the TMJs because of how much force the jaw needs to exert to bite them. However, veggies should not be avoided altogether. Since they are an important part of your diet, try cooking them so they become softer and easier to chew.

Chewy foods are another type of food that should be avoided when you have TMJ difficulty. The constant chewing motion and pressure needed to chew through these foods can cause irritation. Avoid chewing gum, sticky candies, and tougher meats and seafood. Make sure you are eating a tenderer cut of meat and if you still want to eat seafood, choose a more tender option like fish.

In addition to the types of foods you should be avoiding, also, be sure to avoid putting large pieces of food in your mouth. Overextending your mouth can cause TMJ irritation. To get around this, just cut your food into smaller pieces.

TMJ may change the way you eat, but most foods are still able to be enjoyed if they are prepared in a different form. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call our office at (708) 444-8341 or visit our website, www.drcynthiawong.com. 

TMJ/TMD Diet

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders involve the chewing muscles and joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. Although TMJ is an abbreviation for the muscle, you may have a TMJ disorder (TMD) if you observe jaw discomfort and tenderness or pain when opening or closing the mouth. In addition, you may also find it uncomfortable to chew. To alleviate the pain of TMD, Dr. Cynthia Wong recommends incorporating more soft foods into your diet.

Soft food gives your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. Some excellent (and healthy) foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soup, and yogurt. If you must eat food that requires a heavy amount of chewing, we recommended chopping it up into small pieces. If you have a sweet tooth, soft cakes, cobblers and cheesecake are good things to choose from. They may not be healthy options, but they’re delicious and easy to eat!

If you experience facial pain or feel your jaw clicking when you chew certain foods, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341. 

Using a Tongue Scraper

Have you ever stuck your tongue out while standing in front of a mirror and noticed a white layer of film sitting atop it? If so, that coating means that you have a buildup of food particles, debris, bacteria, and dead cells on your tongue. You may also have a bout of bad breath. To solve this problem, Dr. Cynthia Wong recommends implementing a tongue scraper into your oral hygiene routine. Tongue scrapers are available in most drugstores in various shapes and sizes.

When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we don’t scrape away these toxins, they get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system. Once you purchase a tongue scraper, to use it you simply place the oral device at the back of your tongue and gently bring it forward along your tongue, repeating as often as needed. As a result, your breath will breath will be fresher and your mouth will feel cleaner.  

If you have questions about oral hygiene and oral health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341. 

When Does My Retainer Need to be Replaced?

Retainers are meant to keep your teeth in place after your braces come off. As long as the retainer is in good shape, it can prevent movement of your teeth. Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL wants to remind our patients that retainers do need to be replaced at some point. Read on to learn the typical reasons why retainers need to be replaced.

Knowing when your retainer has seen its day will help you be prepared for when it happens. This way, you will recognize it may not be doing its job correctly and you can replace it before your teeth start to shift too much. Common reasons that retainers need to be replaced are damage and wear. If the retainer has been cracked, chewed up by either you or a curious dog, or deformed from hot water, it cannot do its job properly. In addition, your retainer will be become naturally worn down. Joints that come apart, calcification, and even looseness can be signs that your retainer is getting old. Retainers last different amounts of time for each person, so it is important to know the signs to look for.

When you notice your retainer is no longer fitting right, schedule an appointment with us so we can adjust it or make you a new one. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics of Orland Park, IL, call our office at (708) 444-8341 or visit our website, www.drcynthiawong.com. 

Relieving Pain Due to Braces

It’s no surprise that braces can cause some pain and discomfort. While this is common and expected, it still isn’t any fun. Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics of Orland Park, IL wants to make sure all of our patients are as comfortable as possible. Takes some tips for relieving pain while wearing braces!

Braces can cause pain in a couple of different ways. The most obvious way is due to the wires being tightened. The pain is also thought to come from the changes in blood flow that are caused by the pressure. Another source of pain can come from the metal brackets and wires rubbing up against the soft tissues in the mouth. They can create sore spots and irritated areas.

To relieve pressure pain, pain relievers like Motrin or Advil work well. You can also use topical pain relievers like Orajel. Topical pain relievers work relatively quickly. You will also want to be sure that you are eating soft foods like yogurt or soup.

To relieve soft tissue pain caused by the metal, you can purchase dental wax to place over the metal parts that rub the most. However, as the mouth gets used to having braces, the soft tissues will become calloused so the rubbing is no longer a bother. For additional relief, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing your teeth. This way you will not irritate the soft tissues as much.

New braces and tightened wires can take some getting used to. If you are experiencing problems with your braces, do not hesitate to give Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics a call. Our Orland Park, IL office can be reached at (708) 444-8341 or through our website, www.drcynthiawong.com. 

Flossing after Braces

The moment has come for your braces to be removed and to have your teeth freed from wires. Though we hope you managed to maneuver floss through your braces, it’s time to remind you how to floss your teeth without them. Dental floss comes in many forms, but it won’t be effective unless you know how to use it properly. Dr. Cynthia Wong would like you to utilize these tips for effective cleaning to protect yourself from gum disease and tooth decay.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method for the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!

If you have questions regarding orthodontic aftercare, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Brushing after Braces

The time has come, after years of enduring orthodontic treatment, you can finally lick your teeth again without feeling an inch of metal. Though you may have grown accustomed to brushing your teeth with braces, do you remember how to brush them now that they are removed? Dr. Cynthia Wong would like to remind you to utilize these brushing tips the next time you practice proper oral hygiene.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and don’t forget to floss!

If you have questions regarding orthodontic aftercare, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.