After Arthrocentesis

Activities to Avoid

1. Avoid eating any foods that are chewy; for example, caramel, chewing gum, or bagels.
2. Avoid eating any foods where you would need to rip or tear with your front teeth.
3. Avoid wide opening of your mouth.

Exercises

1. Place tongue up and back on the roof of your mouth.
2. Open mouth slowly with the tongue in above position for a count of 5.
3. Close mouth with the tongue in the above position for a count of 5.
4. Perform 20 repetitions of above exercises 5 times per day (100 each movement) for a total of 7 days.

Next 7 days

1. Perform above movements with the tongue down in the mouth for the same repetitions and timing.
2. It is preferred that you perform these exercises in front of the mirror so that if a deviation of the mandible (lower jaw) occurs you may push your jaw back into alignment with your hand.