CHEWING GUM CAUSING TMJ DYSFUNCTION

There are many benefits for those who chew gum. It freshens up breath and remove food particles that get stuck between our teeth.

 It helps reduce stress for some and helps fight off hunger cravings for others. Chewing gum also stimulates saliva production, and fight cavity . With all these benefits associated with chewing gum, there are some cons .

When we chew gum, we exercise our jaw muscles –

• similar to any other muscle group in the body that gets overworked,
• constant and aggressive gum chewing can tire these muscles and cause painful spasms in our jaw, neck and head,————> which lead to ———> condition called———-> temporomandibular dysfunction (or TMD).
• TMD occurs when the temporomandibular joint

           physical stress

           degeneration of cartilage in the jaw

 which act as shock absorbers for us when we chew.

• Chewing gum is one of the most common ways to cause this type of damage.

• Discomfort while chewing.
• Difficulty opening and closing their jaw.
• Popping or clicking sounds when they open their mouths.
• Earaches
• Headache
• chronic gum chewing lead to ——-> tighten facial muscles——->leading to long lasting headaches.

• Taking a break from the habit of chewing gum.
• If you are experiencing head, neck or jaw pain and allow your muscles to relax.
• Other ways to relieve pain include taking anti-inflammatory medications
• Applying a warm compress to the area in pain, and switching to a diet of softer foods.

In chronic cases physiotherapy recommended for

• stiffness and restricted momnents
• Spasm
• Temporal tendonipathy

• Physiotherapy treatment is very effective in relieving and managing TMD.
• Even the symptoms are long-standing and severe physiotherapy will resolve the issue.
• Manual therapy:- upper cervical mobilisation , manipulation.
• The manual techniques included intra-oral myofascial release
• Massage therapy on masticatory muscles.
• Atlanto-occipital joint thrust manipulation.
• Upper cervical spine mobilization.