Can Your Halloween Celebrations Affect TMD?

We cannot believe that October has arrived! Now that it’s the middle of the month, you and your loved ones are probably busy celebrating and preparing for the arrival of Halloween. While we want everyone to enjoy all that Halloween has to offer, if you suffer from TMD, it is important to be mindful of your celebrations to ensure that your treatment and condition are not affected.

Costume Concerns

While we don’t want to interfere with the costume of your dreams, it is important to be sure that your head and shoulders are not bearing too much weight. Wearing a heavy costume or carrying props could put an unnecessary strain on your head, shoulders, and neck. This can trigger your TMD and cause your symptoms to flare up.

Be Mindful of Treats

For most of us, Halloween is all about the treats. Certain foods can put a serious strain on your jaw, leading to complications. While enjoying treats in moderation is best for your oral and overall health, when it comes to TMD, there are some treats that you should just avoid. We suggest eating treats such as peanut butter, milk or dark chocolate, and marshmallows. Try to refrain from eating:

• Caramels
• Caramel apples
• Hard candy
• Taffy
• Crunchy candy
• Candy with nuts
• Hard-coated candy
• Don’t Carry the Load

If you have youngsters that you are going to be bringing around trick-or-treating, don’t be the person stuck carrying all the costume props, candy bags, and even the children. Invest in a wagon or stroller that can carry everything you need. Your shoulders, back, jaw, and TMD will be better off for it!

If you think that you or a loved one is suffering from TMD, we are happy to help. Be sure to contact one of our two offices, which are located in Silverdale and Auburn, WA, to schedule an appointment. We hope you have a happy and safe Halloween!