Are you aware of the fact that your chewing habits can become problematic for your oral health? It’s true! While you may spend much of your time focusing on scheduling appointments, choosing the right products, and paying close attention to your dental hygiene approach, overlooking a tendency to chew in a habitual manner can become damaging. We invite you to explore this topic with us to ensure you’re doing all that you can to protect your mouth.

What Are You Chewing On?

What is it that you’re chewing on? If it’s something too hard to chew during meals, alter your diet. If you’re chewing out of habit, such as on gum, ice, a pen, the arm of your glasses, or your nails, it’s time to stop. Surprisingly, a chewing habit can negatively impact your oral health, including your smile’s teeth, supportive muscles, joints, and more.

Why You Should Stop

What you may not recognize is that for teeth and jaws that may generally be put to use for chewing three or so times a day – consistent chewing and motion can lead to strain, physical damage, and may promote the development of problems like bruxism (chronic grinding or clenching) or TMD (TMJ disorder). Kicking this habit can provide significant protection to your oral health.

How We Can Help

Perhaps your chewing habit has in some way contributed to or made worse an existing functional disorder, such as bruxism or TMJ disorder. Maybe you have chipped a tooth or two. When you are in need of care to address a problem or damage, schedule a visit with us. We will provide oral appliance therapy to interrupt and relieve grinding, clenching, and jaw joint concerns. We may also suggest cosmetic or restorative care to repair damaged teeth.