[jhayward]

As someone who's spouse is currently in their 3rd year of rehabilitation after TMJ (tempo-mandibular joint) reconstruction, let me warn you against any kind of chewing activity that involves either high direct pressures (ice, hard things that "crack", anything that resists biting down very much), or strong lateral forces (bagels, pizza crust).

We're about $60K in to her treatment. She's had the meniscus of the joints on both sides of her jaw surgically repaired and now is undergoing orthodontia to permit her jaw to safely re-align.

This after a year of excruciating pain (the TMJ was bone to bone contact), and a year of painful muscular rehab. Unless you are a maxillofacial surgeon or perhaps a particular specialty of orthodontia you are probably unaware of just how many muscles in the head have to re-learn how to work after TMJ problems.

The "straw that broke the camel's back" in her case?

A pistachio nut.

[parasti]

I used to buy a pack of cashew nuts every day during lunchtime. One day I realized my jaw has started making a clicking sound and the muscle feels kinda loose. That was ten years ago; it's gotten somewhat better and I also learned to avoid that particular motion but never recovered.

[freedomben]

Same, I have severe TMJ and there's never really any recovery. Just learn to chew a very specific way to avoid inflaming it. Absolutely miserable

[stavros]

I don't understand, what did the cashews do? They're pretty soft, no?

[jajko]

Wishing good luck to your spouse with treatment and recovery.

Aside - so much for that touted improvements in US medical care bills. I've mentioned this before as a massive differentiator between Europe and US from what I can see from distance, and was shushed here on HN that only total losers get insurance that basically doesn't cover everything these days... 60k, wow, how many folks can't just fork that out of pocket and have to take a loan or just suffer till end of days?

I've had last year paragliding accident with both legs broken and badly bruised knee, underwent months of treatments, physio, tons of scans and still doing some hospital visits (ie had 2 MRIs few weeks ago). Cost? What cost? 3 weeks fully off work, salary kept coming 100%. This is in most capitalistic country in Europe - Switzerland, on basic health insurance (but accidents are 100% covered by employer's insurance by law here).