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 Roldananswered
21 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.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Daniel Rubensteinanswered
Dentistry 52 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.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jeffrey Bassmananswered
Dentistry 46 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.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Louis Galliaanswered
Surgery - Oral & Maxillofacial 46 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.
3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 28, 2015
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