Call: (405) 843-9731

Interesting New Research Reports Gum Chewing is Linked to Headaches in Children

By Dr. Ben Pinkston In Research April 1, 2014

The Journal Of the American Dental Association posted an article in the March 2014 Issue titled “Gum Chewing Linked to Headaches in Children.” The research says that headaches in children could be a result of chewing gum anywhere from one to six hours per day.

A team of researchers was led by Nathan Watemberg, MD who is chairman of the Child Development Institute and the Child Neurology Unit at the Meir Medical Center in Israel.  Thirty patient participants who are said to have had chronic migraine or tension headaches and chewed gum daily for at least one to six hours. The participants answered questions pertaining headache characteristics, what they thought were potential triggers, and their family history of headaches along with their gum chewing habits.

The research had the participants discontinue chewing gum for one month and then interviewed them. Nineteen of the 30 participants reported that their headaches went away entirely, and 7 of the remaining 11 participants reported a decrease in the frequency and intensity of their headaches.

To test the results further, researchers asked the participants to resume their gum chewing habits for two weeks. All of these participants reported a return of their symptoms within days.

Dr. Watemberg advises teenagers with chronic headaches who also chew gum to put the research to use immediately and to stop chewing gum.

Category:
Tags:

Testimonials

I absolutely love coming here. The team at Pinkston makes the dreadful dentist appointment FUN! I am always excited to go for a check up and I leave feeling loved and my sides usually ache from laughter. I can't say enough kind things about them. Make an appointment ASAP!!!

Tasha Smith September 14, 2016

Our entire family goes here! We are so pleased with Dr. Pinkston and when you go in for your visit you are like family. These people genuinely care about their patients. Ashley, Vickie and Candice are kind and gentle, Macy is a sweetheart and Miss Linda is the insurance guru of all time. They are honest and QUALITY.

Nancy Moore Clymer May 22, 2015

View More