{"id":82,"date":"2022-11-17T15:18:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-17T15:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.magnoliashoresfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=82"},"modified":"2022-12-02T15:26:06","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T15:26:06","slug":"can-chewing-gum-worsen-your-tmj-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.magnoliashoresfamilydental.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/17\/can-chewing-gum-worsen-your-tmj-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Chewing Gum Worsen Your TMJ Disorder?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you chew gum, you\u2019re certainly not alone! It has been estimated that the average American chews around 300 pieces of gum over the course of a single year. And if you\u2019re chewing sugarless gum, you can enjoy several oral health benefits such as increased saliva production. But what if you\u2019re suffering from a TMJ disorder<\/a>? Is chewing gum still a good idea? Here\u2019s what you need to know to keep your jaw pain under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is a TMJ Disorder?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

TMJ is short for \u201ctemporomandibular joint\u201d, which is the name of the joints on either side of your head that connect your lower jaw to your skull. Sometimes your TMJ can become misaligned or injured due to physical stress or cartilage degeneration, resulting in what\u2019s known as a TMJ disorder. This condition can cause you to experience chronic jaw pain, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, earaches, headaches, and other symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Chewing Gum Make a TMJ Disorder Worse?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you chew gum, the muscles around your TMJ have to work harder than normal. If you\u2019re already suffering from a TMJ disorder, then the movement may end up aggravating your condition. You\u2019ll likely start to feel significant pain in your jaw, and you might even develop a severe headache. In short, chewing gum is one of the last things you should be doing if you\u2019re already dealing with jaw problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So What Should You Do If You Have a TMJ Disorder?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the first things you should do when suffering from chronic jaw pain is call your dentist. They can take X-rays and other scans to determine whether or not you\u2019re truly suffering from a TMJ disorder. Then they can suggest one of several forms of treatment to relieve your pain, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n