Biting Off More than You Can Chew?
It is becoming more and more common for many of us to grab a bite to eat in a hurry. We, as Americans, have grown accustomed to larger food portions, but our mouths have not…and trying to fit that oversized sandwich into your mouth might be worse for you than you imagine. Read on to learn why this could be detrimental to your oral health and what you can do about it.
Why This Is a Problem
According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), taking bites that are too big for you to chew can not only cause jaw and teeth issues, it can also cause digestive problems. Discomfort, swelling, and difficulty eating may result from opening your jaw too wide. Taking large bites may also result in food not being chewed thoroughly, which can lead to weight gain and digestive issues.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
Constantly opening your jaw too wide becomes an even larger problem for people with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull bones enabling movement during chewing. People with TMD, usually have a restriction with how wide they can open their jaws. Taking large bites of food, especially hard foods, can aggravate this condition making pain and jaw clicking worse.
What You Can Do
If you have food that is too large to chew or starts to cause jaw discomfort, try cutting your food into smaller portions. This makes food easier to eat with less hassle. Also consider eating softer foods that won’t harm your teeth or irritate your jaw.
