Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: A Tool to the Therapeutic Approaches for Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Background and aim: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is characterized by symptoms such as clenching, clicking, and locking of the jaw, often due to improper positioning affecting occlusion. Nearly half of TMD patients rarely require treatment, as symptoms typically diminish on their own within a year. Nevertheless, a significant majority of persons who are diagnosed with TMD do necessitate therapy, and it may take up to three years for complete remission to occur. This study aims to determine the extent to which a healthy nutritional model, specifically the Mediterranean diet, can enhance the effectiveness of existing therapeutic treatments, like physiotherapy with warm pads. Methods: An interventional study design was implemented. Baseline scores were obtained pre- and post- intervention, while Mediterranean diet adherence was evaluated once at the beginning. A dependent samples t-test and a one-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) were used to test the experimental hypotheses. Results: There is a statistically significant difference (p=0.04) between the three groups associated with Mediterranean diet adherence, as indicated by the mean differences on the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS-20) questionnaire. Participants following a medium or high level of Mediterranean diet (>= 18) reported fewer problems with jaw functionality both before and after the intervention compared to those with low (<18) adherence to the diet. Conclusion: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet appears to have a therapeutic effect on patients with TMD, offering a new dimension to their treatment. The primary benefit is the low cost of treatment, as the diet is easily accessible. This dietary approach could significantly enhance the management of TMD symptoms.