Are you chewing food with one side of your mouth? Here is why you should stop immediately

Do you often chew your food from one side of your mouth? Most of us chew food using just one side of the mouth, but you should stop this practice immediately! Dentists are strongly against this practice as it can cause many health issues. Not convinced? Read on to know more.

Why should you not chew from one side of your mouth

In conversation with Indian Express, Dr Niyati Arora, BDS, MDS (prosthodontist) at Krown Hub Dental Clinic, Pitampura revealed that she would never advise anyone to chew food from one side of their mouth. She said, "I would never advise anyone to chew only on one side. This goes against the normal physiological movement, where both sides of the jaw work symmetrically to break down food. Firstly, you’ll notice increased wear and tear on the teeth on the side you’re using more. The side that isn’t used may accumulate more calculus and tartar."

She further explained how these food deposits can lead to gum recession and can result in serious infections. The doctor revealed that chewing from one side of the mouth can cause uneven wear of the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint. She added, "If this continues, patients can experience pain near the ear or a clicking sound in the joint when opening and closing the mouth."

What is the proper method to chew?

According to the dentist, the ideal method of chewing is to use both sides of your mouth equally and chew slowly and thoroughly. Distributing your food load between both sides helps prevent excessive strain and wear on the teeth.

One should also avoid chewing non-food items such as pencils, pens, or ice, as these habits can damage teeth and potentially lead to fractures.

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