A 31-year-old member asked:
Could i get tmj from chewing gum every day?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Teitelbaumanswered
Dentistry 34 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.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ryan Finnegananswered
Dentistry 24 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.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. James Wallaceanswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 49 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).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Louis Galliaanswered
Surgery - Oral & Maxillofacial 47 years experience
Yes: Yes, if you chew long periods of time and with excessive force.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 31-year-old member asked:
Is it safe to chew gum every day?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Gary Sandleranswered
Dentistry 56 years experience
Some risk: How long each day? 10 minutes or 6 hours? Occasional gum chewing, especially with sugarless gum is not a problem. If it's done excessively, it can cause strain on your tmjoints and facial muscles. If you already have temporomandibular joint dysfunction, it will most likely exacerbate the problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 19, 2015
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