Most of us have heard many opinions on gum chewing from harmless to forbidden. Since this is a bone and joint topic, we thought it worth asking to get Dr. Gerard’s perspective on these three questions:

• Is chewing gum actually bad for you?
• Does it affect the TMJ (temporomandibular joint)?
• Can it actually cause TMD (temporomandibular disorder)?

The short and simple answer is that if you have a pre-existing problem, it can definitely make it worse. Constant chewing can create muscle tension in the jaw and ears, leading to inflammation and pain. If you don’t have a problem with your TMJ, chewing gum rarely is not likely to cause damage to your TMJ. Apart from creating jaw fatigue, frequently chewing sugary gum can also be harmful to your teeth.

A few additional things to consider next time you are considering grabbing a pack of gum.

The TMJ is pound for pound, the hardest working joint in the body. It never gets to rest. It’s at work when you eat, talk, swallow, yawn, and even in sleep. Some experts say that we will all eventually have at least some degeneration in that joint as we age. So, maybe it is kinder to the TMJ to give it a rest when we can.

The TMJ is located on either side of your head, in front of your ears, connecting your jaw to your skull. This joint acts like a sliding hinge. Dysfunction in this joint can cause headaches, earaches, clicking and popping while chewing, and difficulty opening and closing your mouth. True TMD (temporomandibular disorder) is due to misalignment and degeneration of the cartilage within the joint and stress and strain of the surrounding muscles.

Excess chewing can cause damage to this joint. If you have been diagnosed with TMD, or have jaw pain, then chewing gum will contribute to furthering the disorder.

Chiropractic Arts Center can help with a personalized treatment for TMD with specific pressure point releases around the jaw and head, Cold Laser, as well as adjustments in the upper cervical spine because this area is closely connected to the TMJ. While at-home remedies and lifestyle changes can provide some relief, medical treatments may be necessary for more severe cases. More severe cases may need a custom mouth guard or splint from your dentist. More severe cases may require a multi-discipline approach. With proper treatment and management, most individuals with TMD are able to live pain-free and completely functional lives.