Association Between Gum Chewing and Temporomandibular Disorders

Abstract

Background: Gum chewing is a common habit among young adults, often promoted for its oral health and psychological benefits. However, as a repetitive and non-functional activity, it is also considered a potential risk factor for temporomandibular disorder (TMD), particularly when practiced chronically. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether excessive gum chewing is associated with a higher prevalence of TMD among young adults presumed to be under elevated academic stress based on their demographic characteristics. Methods: Participants were examined in Krakow, Poland, using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) protocol. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing gum-chewing frequency, duration, and chronicity. Associations between chewing behaviors and TMD presence were analyzed using univariate logistic regression (α = 0.05). Results: This study included young adults 66 participants aged 19-30. TMD was diagnosed in 55 participants (83.3%), including muscular disorders (n = 9; 16.4%), articular disorders (n = 10; 18.2%), and combined muscular-articular disorders (n = 38; 57.6%). More than 70% of participants reported chewing gum for over five years. No statistically significant associations were found between TMD occurrence and the frequency, duration, or chronicity of gum chewing (p > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that, in the absence of other contributing factors, gum chewing may not independently contribute to TMD development. The elevated TMD prevalence may reflect confounding variables such as high academic stress, narrow age distribution, or female predominance. However, the limited sample size limits statistical power, particularly for detecting subtle effects potentially distorted by other variables. Additionally, the cross-sectional nature of this study precludes causal interpretation. Further studies in larger and more heterogeneous populations are recommended.

Keywords: DC/TMD; bruxism; gum chewing; medical students; oral behaviors; parafunctional habits; stress; temporomandibular disorders; temporomandibular joint; young adults.