You might hear horror stories about TMJ disorders from chewing gum. Yes, if you already have a grindy jaw or a history of popping, chewing gum is like throwing gasoline on a campfire. It can make things worse.
But for the average person with a calm, non-dramatic jaw, a few sticks of gum are totally fine. It’s not the same as grinding your teeth at night (which is the real villain). Think of it like walking vs. running. Walking is great; running a marathon every day might mess up your knees.
If you’re worried, just take a break for an hour between pieces. Your jaw will survive. I promise.
