Evaluation of the Relationship between the Symptoms of TMJ Disorders and the Type, Duration and Pattern of Chewing Gums

Gum chewing is one of oral parafunctional habits and is considered as an etiologic factor for temporomandibular joint disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between type, duration and pattern of gum chewing and TMD signs and symptoms. Materials &

In this descriptive‒ analytical study, 73 subjects aged 20-30 years, who were gum chewers, were evaluated by considering inclusion and exclusion criteria and ethical codes. Type, frequency and chewing patterns were evaluated by a questionnaire and signs and symptoms of TMD through clinical examinations and the data were recorded. Data analysis was carried out with SPSS 20, using chi-squared, MannWhitney and Fisher’s exact tests (p value ≤ 0.05).

In this study, the most common sign of TMD was joint clicks (31.5%). Jaw movement limitation was more prevalent in females (p value = 0.018). Type, history and duration of chewing gum consumption were not significantly related with signs and symptoms of TMD. Significant relationships were observed between the rate of gum chewing cycle (p value = 0.04), continuity of initial chewing cycle (p value = 0.048), time of change in chewing cycle (p value = 0.04) and some signs and symptoms of TMD.

No significant relationship was found between the signs and symptoms of TMD and type and time of gum chewing; however, there were significant relations between the pattern of gum chewing, rate of gum chewing cycle and time of change in chewing cycle and the TMD signs and symptoms.