Simon Coghlan MSc, BSc Physio, DipMedAc

Orthodontic treatment can help—but only when the TMJ is stable first. The sequence of care matters just as much as the treatment itself.

For most people, chewing gum now and then isn’t a problem. But when it becomes a regular habit — hours a day, every da y — it can start to strain the jaw. The muscles and joints of the face are strong, but they’re not designed for constant repetitive load. Over time, this can lead to tension, discomfort, or even temporomandibular (TMJ) pain. Why chewing can cause pain Chewing works the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles — the same ones that tense up when we clench or grind our teeth....

Have you ever noticed your jaw tightening at the end of a long day — or realised halfway through dinner that you’ve been chewing quickly, clenching without meaning to, or scrolling your phone between bites?