Chewing gum is pretty normal, so you might be wondering what the big deal is. Under normal circumstances, you’d be right to be skeptical. A stick of gum can refresh your breath and, if it’s sugar-free, benefit your teeth by increasing your mouth’s production of its natural mouthwash: saliva.
However, if you experience recurring jaw pain, you could very well have a TMJ disorder – in which case chewing gum is likely to make things worse. Keep reading to learn more about this condition and why you might want to kick the gum habit.
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