A 31-year-old member asked:
could i get tmj from chewing gum every day?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Teitelbaum answered
Dentistry 32 years experience
Yes: It is possible, esp. If you are clenching your jaws while asleep also. You can ask your dentist about aw excercises, or a bite guard.
5662 views
Dr. Ryan Finnegan answered
Dentistry 22 years experience
Sort of: Tmj is the term for the the jaw joint, tmd refers to disorders associated with the joint. Gum chewing can lead to overuse if the muscles of mastication( chewing). Like any muscle these muscles can become sore and even go into spasm causing limited opening, pain or the inability to open. It depends on how much gum you are chewing, a few pieces daily shouldn't be an issue but constant chewing could.
5662 views
Dr. James Wallace answered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 47 years experience
Yes : Tmj is a complex problem which is often muscular in nature. Chewing gum is a muscular.Activity which can initiate or exacerbate muscle spasm. Therefore gum chewing is contra indicated if you have a TMJ disorder. It is not the cause of TMJ but it can be responsible for increasing the symptoms (pain, headache, earache, jaw ache).
5662 views
Dr. Louis Gallia answered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 45 years experience
Yes: Yes, if you chew long periods of time and with excessive force.
3070 views
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Mar 19, 2015
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.