Can Chewing Gum Cause Jaw Pain in Kids? Signs Parents Should Watch
Many children treat themselves to chewing gum. It is like a fun treat, and in some cases, sugar-free gum even aids in reducing damage to teeth more than sugary snacks. However, some parents have noticed their child complaining of discomfort in their jaw after chewing gum for long periods. This brings up the question: Can chewing gum actually cause jaw pain in kids?
The short answer is yes, it can – and especially if you chew the gum way too often, or for extended periods of time. Learning the reasons behind this, and identifying the warning signs, can help parents to safeguard their children.
How Chewing Gum May Cause Flashy Jaws
Chewing gum – chewing gum keeps the jaw working all the time. Unlike normal eating, which occurs for only a few minutes, children can chew gum for 30 minutes or longer. This constant motion strains the jaw joints and the jaw muscles.
The jaw joint is known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that joins the jawbone and the skull of the head to allow the mouth to open and close smoothly. When the gum is chewed too much, it will make the muscles surrounding this joint tired or cause irritation in the inner muscles. Over time, the jaw can become sore, stiff, or uncomfortable, particularly if gum chewing becomes routine each day.
Signs of Jaw Pain for Parents to Watch
Jaw pain may not necessarily be obvious, but there are signs that jaw pain may be occurring. Parents should look out for these common signs:
- Complaints of jaw or face pain – If a child complains of pain in the jaw when they are chewing, talking, or opening the mouth, this can be due to some muscle strain.
- Clicking or popping noises – Some children will experience a click or pop when they open or close their mouth. Not always serious, however, it could be a sign of stress in the jaw joint.
- Difficulty opening up the mouth fully – If your child has problems opening his/her mouth up wide enough when they are eating or yawning, this could be linked to tension in the jaw.
- Frequent headaches – Jaw strain can cause headaches, mainly around the temple area.
- Tenderness near the jaw joint – kids might experience tenderness of the face right in front of the ears, where the connective joint of the jawbone is located.
If these symptoms appear frequently, it may be helpful to schedule a checkup with a pediatric dentist during a routine dental exam and cleaning.
How Much Gum Is Too Much?
Organic chewing of the gum occasionally is generally not an issue, particularly if the gum is sugar-free. But chewing the gum for a long time throughout the day increases the risk of jaw discomfort. Dentists tend to recommend chewing gum for a few minutes at different times during the day, such as after eating. They recommend much less time chewing gum throughout the day for children.
Regular visits for preventive pediatric dental care can also help monitor children’s oral health and catch small issues early.
Tips to Prevent Jaw Pain from Gum Chewing
The pressure around your mouth, when chewing your gum, causes joint pain. Parents can help increase the development of the jaw by promoting healthy habits. Limit chewing time – Allow kids to chew for short periods of time instead of all day.
Choose sugar-free gum – Sugar-free gum helps to protect teeth while increasing saliva.
Encourage breaks – If a child is a fan of gum, remind him of breaks so that the mouth muscles can rest.
Watch for discomfort – If the child complains about having a bad taste in the mouth or jaw pain, then stop gum chewing for a period of time.
When Parents Should Take Their Children to a Pediatric Dentist
If the pain returns in the jaw after you reduce chewing gum, see a pediatric dentist. Persistent discomfort may be due to problems with jaw alignment, grinding teeth, or other dental problems.
A pediatric dentist can evaluate the masticating action of the child’s jaw and recommend the most appropriate course to maintain the child’s smile in good dental condition. Early visits such as infant dental exams can also help monitor oral development from a young age.
Supporting Healthy Smiles at Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry
At Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry, we are a dentist SEO Unified and mainly focus on getting kids to the point where they create healthy dental habits. From routine check-ups to offering advice on everyday habits such as chewing your gum, we try to make every child smile.
If your child is experiencing discomfort in their jaw, teeth, and other dental concerns, please visit a pediatric dentist to have peace of mind as well as proper care. You can learn more about available treatments through our pediatric dentistry services.