Forney, TX
A 16-year-old female asked:
why can't people like me with tmj chew gum?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Santiago Roldan answered
Dentistry 20 years experience
Very Obvious...: Tmj is directly related to the forces that are applied to the articulation (TMJ) and they suffer the pressure of such forces (that may be up to more than a hundred pounds). If you have TMJ problems, you don't want to abuse this area that is already hurt. It would be like forcing a door which hinges are broken.
4655 views
Dr. Daniel Rubenstein answered
Dentistry 51 years experience
Chew gum: Pain in the TMJ is due to overuse of muscle and ligaments. The treatment, like any injured muscle, is rest ( wearing a night guard or staying on a soft diet, prevents overuse of muscles causing them to "rest").
If a patient has active TMJ pain, chewing anything vigorously and continuously will aggravate the problem.
4655 views
Dr. Jeffrey Bassman answered
Dentistry 45 years experience
Irritating a wound: Chewing gum is often like scratching a wound which will not allow it to heal. The same with tmj/tmd. Chewing gum, for some people, may aggravate the problem and will not help. Tmj is never cured, just maintained. Chewing gum can continue to create issues.
4220 views
Dr. Louis Gallia answered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 45 years experience
Depends: Gum chewing, especially if excessive, can aggravate a TMJ condition. In your case, if done judiciously, may not be a problem. It it aggravates your TMJ, bad - don't do it. If it has no effect, no problem - do it.
3085 views
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Last updated Mar 28, 2015
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