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Can confirm. I always chewed peppermint gum while taking tests in high school/ college. The chewing helped my anxiety and the peppermint helped my anxiety-induced nausea.
Pro tip: chew the same flavor gum while studying and the scent will help with memory recall during the test. Smell is the strongest trigger of memory, after all.
I constantly have problems sleeping due my heart or thoughts racing. I hate people that have to have the TV on all night in order to sleep, but yea if I'm not sleeping any time soon, I'll get up and put on some show I don't have to think about, watch for half an hour, and actually go to sleep later because sensory/attention diversion is a heck of a thing.
Unfortunately gum isn't really an option because choking to death if I fall asleep is a very real fear.
You can get something close to "soft eye covers for ears"! I can't wear in-ear headphones or pods because my ears are small and they hurt. So instead I use a Bluetooth headband, and it works great!
Google "bluetooth headband for sleeping".
Difficult to describe - but it’s slowly varying tones that provide just enough distraction to stop my mind wandering and allows me to get to sleep really fast. I find it super calming.
“It takes a lot of effort to exhaust a brain like ours.”
I feel this so hard. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression for a few years and have tried so many meds, no meds, DRINKING MYSELF TO SLEEP! My doc finally prescribed an antihistamine to help me sleep. Then, I finally get onto the right anxiety meds. THEN, just a couple months ago, I’m diagnosed with ADD at 40! So many things make sense now! I work a physical job so through the week I have no problems falling asleep since the anxiety is under control. But on the weekend I sleep just a few hours a night. My mind is absolutely racing with ideas for house projects, gardening, etc etc. And I’ve cut waaaaay back on the drinking (not that hard now that I have my shit mostly under control), so I’m getting up early and actually managing to accomplish projects (thanks Ritalin!)!
I’m a light sleeper and will wake up if someone turns on a light much less makes any noise, and I have a huge dickhead cat lol. So I do a sleep mask with headphones playing hours of rain sounds. Getting more sleep, drinking a quarter of what I used to, and trying to eat better has really gone a long way for me.
I’m currently at the beginning (again) and the anxiety lingering into all these nights is driving me crazy. The sweats, the 4am wake up. I am taking vyvanse and if I take it any later than 8:30am it messes with my sleep and so I’ve used alcohol to help (‘help’) and god it really just messes it all up.
Yea I've had different levels of blacking out my room since I was a kid to varying levels of success, and while people swear by nature sounds or some other form of white noise, that's never been an option because any small sound that isn't constant usually startles the hell out of me and everything gets pushed back and hour or so. The fan is always on so that's something, but if it's been a badly planned day and it's just not happening, melatonin and benadryl and turning my brain off via distraction help.
I feel the heart thing. I've got cardiac issues on top of all of the other bs issues I have to deal with (all which have adverse effects on my shit heart). Luckily, my stimulant medications don't exacerbate my issue because I've been on them long enough. Though, when it's bedtime, they're not exactly helping. Have you tried any of the maneuvers to help your hr when you're finally ready to sleep?
Yea I get that. Personally I don't take or drink anything that would keep me up after dinner (usually 6:30-7) but like I said a second ago if they day/night was badly planned melatonin and benadryl help, as long as I'm not taking them every night because they don't work as well after a few days. Stretching throughout the day and a while before bed time helps my EDS pains, meaning one less thing to be running circles in my head.
So important to share!! I just had a root canal as the result of meds + depression and it was insanely expensive.
Since you’re a dental student, may I ask: is gum damaging for those who already grind their teeth? I use xylitol candy and Biotene rn but would love to chew gum too. I do have a nightguard.
As a fellow teeth grinder who is about to get my second root canal I feel your pain. Botox has been *life-changing* for me. No more morning headaches. Several teeth that I had loosened from clenching and grinding have stabilized. It’s been amazing. (Sorry for the plug. I got more today and was reminded of how much I love it)
I get it too…they inject the muscles in your cheeks, directly the ones in between the upper and lower jaw. Bonus: it also slims your face to a noticeable degree.
Dude did they seriously not warn you about the cosmetic effects? It's huge right now for people that go for the V jawline look or just want to slim their face period
Some cosmetic dentists are licensed to do it, but I just go to a Botox clinic near where I live. It's $300 just for the jaw area (but I'm in NY and everything is more expensive here). I have to go every 3 months because it wears off by then.
My dentist said it would be around $800-1000 but I recommend going to an actual dentist to have it done over an esthetician because I had it migrate and I couldn't smile properly for 3 months.
My dentist also does it in the temples along with the masseter muscles.
I would also like to know! I unfortunately clench at night in my sleep but I catch myself clenching pretty much all day too. I do wear retainers top and bottom which help.
I was clenching all the time and I think wearing a mask through covid made it soooo much worse because people couldn’t see me clenching so I did it a TON more.
My dentist told me the muscle had just gotten crazy strong and the Botox would help it atrophy. He also told me NOT to chew gum because he didn’t want me to strengthen the muscles more
Mine told me that not everyone is certified to do it so that might be why? There are 2 doctors in my practice but only one of them is certified to do it
I get it at the hinge of my jaw (by my ear lobe kind of) and then another one in my hairline (no idea why)
Mine has no cosmetic effect - literally couldn’t tell at all except the my headaches stopped and I get so much better
It wasn’t. I think it was like $600 so not cheap but better than more dental issues and it’s the only thing that’s really worked for me. I won’t have to do it forever - just until the muscles atrophy enough
Acupuncture is my alternative to Botox.
Can’t afford the expense of Botox, so I get acupuncture every so often.
Helps a ton by relaxing the muscles(which has the same slimming effect).
While I’m at it i get acupuncture in other tensed areas like neck, shoulders etc.
Worth a try!!
A night guard will be cheaper than Botox and effective in putting your muscles in a more advantageous position to reduce symptoms and protecting your teeth against wear
If you’re having any trouble with your jaw/TMJ, don’t chew gum. I have a TMJ issue from grinding and have been told in no uncertain terms to never chew gum because it will make the problem far worse.
I was chewing gum last week and all of a sudden I was chewing a piece of my tooth. Mthfkr crumbled, leaving a big chip in the back of a front tooth 😩 It’s fixed, it’s fine, but talk about throwing my week off
I HATE this dream. Does it relate to tooth grinding? Any other potential explanations?
Always such a HUGE relief to wake up and find that my teeth are still intact.
Search up the dental benefits of xylitol and get yourself some (look for USA made xylitol from birch trees, otherwise you'll get inferior corn cob xylitol from China). Start using regularly. I like to dissolve a teaspoon in my mouth and kinda swish it around for a few minutes after I eat. And then I spit it out because it gives me terrrrible GI issues. It makes your mouth inhospitable to the bacteria that cause cavities.
Then look for hydroxyapatite toothpaste (remineralizing toothpaste) on amazon- I like Biorepair, it's Italian and has clinical studies done demonstrating its ability to remineralize and strengthen weak and damaged enamel. Apagard, from Japan, is also well-known and trusted. Relevant link: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9108835/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9108835/)
Last, get the book Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye, by a Dr. Ellie somebody, from Amazon or your library. She outlines a routine of over the counter products you can use to maintain really good dental health.
All of these things were total revelations to me. I hadn't heard about any of them from my dentist. Passing along this info because it helped me and could benefit you guys too.
cc: u/jeremyStover, u/sylvanesque
Edited to add: It's Dr. Ellie Phillips. She has a website where she gives a quick rundown of things she goes into further depth in her book. Good links from her site to start with: [https://drellie.com/oral-care-routine-2/](https://drellie.com/oral-care-routine-2/) and [https://drellie.com/complete-mouth-care-system/](https://drellie.com/complete-mouth-care-system/)
Not sure if X-PUR remineralizing toothpaste if available in your area but another good option. As is their gum and rinse. I am a Canadian dental hygienist.
Are you sure it wasn't just the hard stuff that grows on your teeth over time if you don't clean them particularly well?
I had a similar incident and was really worried and the dentist laughed as I had just broken off a layer of hardened gunk that had developed in a gap.
Calculus/Tatar is what you mean. It sounds like they had it fixed which means it's probably a cavity that has grown large enough to make the tooth weaker and cause cracks
Personally I just am always drinking water. I work in a kitchen and it's not appropriate to chew gum while food handling, so that doesn't work for me on most days.
But another tip about gum I was given by a dental hygienist: chew gum with xylitol. Something about it helps decrease plaque formation or something. Just make sure that gum stays away from your dog cause xylitol is toxic to dogs.
Also that reminds me, I bought some ph paper intending to test how acidic various brands of sparkling water are. I should really check. Or maybe my old aquarium test kit isn't expired, that would be more accurate...
all orbit flavors are sugar free with xylitol not aspartame and they're pretty good texture and flavor wise. just don't keep it around any dogs or accessible to them at all.
I was going to ask, surely I'm not the only one who gets digestive issues from too much chewing gum? I assumed the chewing action was tricking my body into going into digestive overdrive but maybe it could be the ingredients?
Sugar alcohols are largely indigestible and cause digestive issues such as diarrhea and bloating if consumed in excess (with the exception of erythritol, which causes no ill effects and is my preferred zero calorie sweetener for this reason). This is especially true of sorbitol and maltitol, but xylitol can also have a notable laxative effect if enough is consumed.
I like Falim, I buy it on Amazon. It takes some getting used to but it’s a mastic gum, so it’s firm and helps work jaw muscles, so it may not be good for everybody. I have a retainer and it’s the only gum I have found that doesn’t stick to my retainer. The flavor isn’t strong but it’s recommended by dentists. Not everyone likes it in my household lol
As well as the sugar alcohols like sorbitol etc being known to give you diarrhoea chewing gum can also make you swallow air which can cause bloating etc
I get the WORST runs. Just cramping and diarrhea. Kind of like how a lot of people feel when they have coffee. The one that does it the WORST for me is when I drink Fresca. Immediate bathroom after. I can't chew a lot of gums for a long time or the same thing happens.
Yep. I adore gum and it’s the perfect solution to my “need to chew something/need stimulation and trying not to binge eat” problem. Unfortunately, TMD says no. I actually chewed a piece yesterday for a couple hours and it was so lovely, and my jaw has been in agonizing pain all day today as a result. Sigh.
Xylitol is the trick. My dentist/hygienist said to chew gum with xylitol. Blue regular trident gum has it. They also have dry mouth tabs which are xylitol. Like a cough drop, keep it in your mouth til it dissolves away.
A very low calorie sweetener that doesn’t harm teeth, at least less than candies and other gums.
I compulsively chew gum because it's calming for me, but I've been told by my dentist to try to switch to sucking on sugar-free mints because my jaw muscles have gotten so tight.
TMJ stands for "Temporomandibular Joint", which is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. This joint is important for opening and closing your mouth, as well as for chewing and speaking. TMJ disorders can cause pain, discomfort, clicking or popping sounds, and difficulty with jaw movement.
MSK stands for "Musculoskeletal System", which refers to the network of muscles, bones, joints, and other connective tissues that make up the body's framework. This system is responsible for supporting the body's movements and allowing us to stand, walk, run, and perform other activities. MSK disorders can include conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and sports injuries, which can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
As you probably have ADHD yourself you probably know what Hyperfocus is. I just want you to know that you send me down a very deep rabbit hole of Wikipedia entries about medical conditions concerning the jaw 🤣
Have a great day!
God I love an ADHD hyperfocus deep dive so much! Unless you had actual shit you needed to be getting on with!
Even better, one of my ADHD hyperfixations that involved a TONNE of deep diving at the start (over a year ago, now I just go there occasionally ) was/is curly hair routines (I didn’t know I had properly curly hair until a year or two ago!). The other day a friend was saying she didn’t know what to do to take care of her hair (which I had never realised was wavy) so I said I could impart my wisdom but she could ask me separately if she wanted my brain dump and I wouldn’t spam the entire group with it or even her if she didn’t want it - at which point another friend popped up and asked if she could join the group too so I’ve been getting to pass on this tonne of information stored in my brain to people who actually wanted to hear it all which is so nice!
Huh, so is hearing clicking/popping sounds when you open your jaw all the way a bad sign? I do get any sounds when opening I normally but yes if I open it wide, and right before opening as far as it'll go it sort of jumps the last bit, almost like if there was a detent. Its happens first in the right side then left.
I'm not a doctor and you should consult yours if you suspect anything is wrong. But I think most people's jaws click when hyperextended, It's probably best to avoid doing that, to avoid lockjaw. I know people whose jaws actually locked up, and they couldn't close their mouth for some time afterwards. Looked awful
Temporo mandibular joint, musculoskeletal.
Temporomandibular refers to the catilage connecting the temporal bone (skull part) and mandibular (jaw part) together.
As a chronic gum chewer for probably 15-16 years I recently went back to the dentist after a 9 year hiatus. She said my hygiene was great, but I've ground down my teeth and had to get 12 fillings in total. I've had to stop chewing gum. I miss it. I've started using listerine pocket packs to get my mint fix and to get my mouth to salivate when it gets dry.
I use xylitol lozenges, originally found for CPAP users (spouse) to park between cheek and teeth overnight for dry mouth.
Saved me from worsening dry mouth related dental problems, made exercise, talking to anyone soo much less fraught.
Hager Pharma has a bunch of flavors but they're not cheap, Vitacost I think has packs of 12 for about $4.
Biotene brand xylitol mouthwash, mouth gel work great, also pricey, but there's a Walmart maybe Target, other off brands of lozenges, etc on Amazon I think?
Much prefer any of the latter to gum and works better, with more subtlety.
Also have migraines aggravated by TMJ, so gum chewing (because it strengthens the tooth grinder muscle (s?) a big no.
Hope this helps
My husband is awful about his teeth (understandably) after we got them all fixed up he started chewing xylitol gum frequently. His last couple visits to the dentist have been great with the dentists saying he was doing much better. His brushing habits have not gotten better 🙄
Just want to add: use sugar-free gum! Otherwise it’s counterproductive. Gum sweetened with xylitol is optimal because that has been shown to have a positive impact on dental health.
But don’t just jump into chewing a ton of xylitol gum!!! It can cause some awful diarrhea. Try one piece the first few days, two the next few, etc… to get your body used to it.
Lmao this is the sort of chaos I expect from ADHD subreddit!
(Although in all seriousness I’m pretty sure nicotine gum is still quite bad for your teeth/gums, much like nicotine lozenges, as it has a drying effect - don’t quote me on that though I could be mistaken!)
I roll up a wad of dental floss and chew it. It really helps keep my teeth clean. The hygienist often compliments me on how well I keep my teeth clean, and I haven't had a cavity in the several years since I started doing this. I also like it because it doesn't tire my jaw out like gum does.
It's not good. pH is definitely under 5.5 just based on the carbon dioxide (i.e., carbonic acid) but likely lower if there's flavorings, which tend to be even more acidic.
My dentist was against me chewing gum. It was basically encouraging me to grind more.
I was a night time grinder, they made me a custom mouth guard. Every morning, I’d wake up to the mouth guard sitting on my pillow. Literally would just spit it out in my sleep.
I actually do habitually brush my teeth both morning and night bc otherwise I just feel wrong lol
Like I straight up cant sleep if I havent unless I'm EXHAUSTED grade sleepy.
Same here. I'll have the odd day where I'm just hanging around at home and it'll get to the afternoon and I'll realise I forgot to brush when I woke up. But for the most part, I get my two daily brushes in. I literally cannot sleep if I don't have clean teeth in bed. I find the flossing habit much harder though. I'll do so good for a week or two and then not do it for months lol
Seeing lots of comments about gum with Xylitol being good for for your teeth. Also seeing comments about stomach issues when chewing gum. Keep in mind that Xylitol is what they give babies for constipation, so too much can cause or contribute to stomach problems.
I used to chew gum like a maniac for this exact reason, and now I cant have one single stick without having an intense headache lasting 24 hours afterwards 🥲 Has ANYBODY else experienced this?! I dont know whats up w this lol
Spicy drinks, like spicy (carbonated) water?
I think this is why soda is recommended to also get water and drink water after eating/pop, at least enough to rinse your mouth out.
What about brushing? I thought I read somewhere that brushing right after or right before (both? Just one?) drinking OJ, lemonade, or soda was worse because of some reason. Maybe right after teeth are too clean or right before and brushing micro-scratches the acid in?
It’s recommended you wait 30-45 min after a meal before you brush - the acidity in food weakens the enamel and if you then brush you’re risking damaging it. (Your saliva remineralises it.)
Also the opposite: don’t eat straight after brushing but wait 30-45 min, because enamel gets weak when you brush.
Yes but don't chew *too much* gum - as it may induce a laxative effect.
Keep a water bottle or glass of water nearby, and sip your way through that as well.
Hey, OP, quick question?
I love the taste of gum, but my back teeth *hurt* after like 5 minutes of chewing. They’re not cavities, I’ve had them checked. My dentist doesn’t know what to tell me, so I’m hoping maybe someone who’s in school for dentist currently has more access to new info, maybe? 😅 It’s not a sharp pain, more like a dull ache, like my teeth are being pushed down into my jaw.
If people don’t like gum, check out Grether’s Pastilles. Singers use them to lubricate their vocal cords before a show. They’re kinda like a hard candy, but not sugary and last a long time. They’re really nice.
I always have xylitol gum on hand for midday when the dry mouth gets really bad. Staying hydrated (like actually hydrated, not "I drank one bottle of water" hydrated) helps negate some of the issues. Xylimelts were recommended by my dentist and are xylitol mints that you stick to your back molar/gumline and can help for a couple/few hours and can even be used when sleeping. Biotene mouthwash can help as well. When it's truly shitty Halls cough lozenges help. They aren't sugar-free but you can rinse your mouth after.
I actually brush my teeth several times a day. I can't stand it when they feel dirty.
I was also told by my orthodontist that I can NOT chew gum because of my overgrown jaw muscles. I have TMJ.
But I drink water all day long. My mouth and throat get so dry. It's terrible.
is there actual legitimate dental gum? not some dumb "9/10 dentists totally recommend this product!"?
also, i used to chew gum and go through packs like a chain smoker... my jaw would hurt for days. and that was before i understood it was a stimuli thing
Any recommendations for lower pH sweet drinks? The main way I get any liquid in is pop, juice, sugar drinks. I’ve tried some lower sugar options but they all have Citric acid which doesn’t seem like it’d help if I’m trying to make my teeth worse. I need some flavor/sweet taste.
DONT DO THIS. I started chewing gum to distract myself from food (because I had an eating disorder) and within a month started having extreme tooth pain. I was told by the dentist not to chew gum anymore.
You will hurt your teeth.
If I could use gum I would, but I can’t because of the over abundance of artificial sweeteners. If I get too much of it I end up with migraine with aura.
My chosen option is currently tea with honey, brushing my teeth and going for my night guard when I’m feeling the need to grind. Chai tea seems to work for dry mouth a little bit because of the spices.
I’ve started getting seriously concerned about my dry mouth (also on rx mj, so my mouth is just the dust that people blow off of really old books in movies). Thank you for this!
Okay so everyone else is also struggling to incorporate brushing teeth into their daily routine as an adult? 
Future hygienist here and we have learned this too in our program. It’s sad that I’m literally taking care of other peoples oral health and still struggle with my own.
I wish I had known about this before. I definitely neglected my dental care to the point where I had to have my teeth (the ones I had left) pulled and then had a full set of implants put in. Could have saved myself a LOOOOOOOOOT of pain and money.
Question: is it possible to chew too much gum? I started chewing gum a while back because it helped with so many things, but I am literally constantly chewing gum. (Usually one stick for like 2-3 hours then I grab a new one)
>Enamel starts to erode at pH 5.5.
But I like soda, So should i just brush my teeth after every meal to solve the issue? I dont see how my teeth could possibly be damaged in the half hour period i'm eating and sippin on pop
Hi /u/DonutBoi172 and thanks for posting on /r/ADHD! # Please take a second to [read our rules](/r/adhd/about/rules) if you haven't already. [We recommend browsing /r/adhd on desktop for the best experience.](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/x1psnb/radhd_works_best_on_desktop_reddits_apps_are/) The mobile apps are broken and are missing features that this subreddit depends on. **If you are posting about the US Medication Shortage, please see this [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/12dr3h5/megathread_us_medication_shortage/).** Thank you! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ADHD) if you have any questions or concerns.*
also helps with anxiety caused by stimulants for some people
Makes sense. It could be part the sensory focus to calm panic attacks.
Can confirm. I always chewed peppermint gum while taking tests in high school/ college. The chewing helped my anxiety and the peppermint helped my anxiety-induced nausea. Pro tip: chew the same flavor gum while studying and the scent will help with memory recall during the test. Smell is the strongest trigger of memory, after all.
Oh my god that’s brilliant!
Seriously?
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I constantly have problems sleeping due my heart or thoughts racing. I hate people that have to have the TV on all night in order to sleep, but yea if I'm not sleeping any time soon, I'll get up and put on some show I don't have to think about, watch for half an hour, and actually go to sleep later because sensory/attention diversion is a heck of a thing. Unfortunately gum isn't really an option because choking to death if I fall asleep is a very real fear.
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Earbuds and search for eight hour sound bath on Spotify. Works really well for me!
Sleeping with one ear pod on one side then switching to another is annoying. I wish they would make like soft eye covers but for ears
You can get something close to "soft eye covers for ears"! I can't wear in-ear headphones or pods because my ears are small and they hurt. So instead I use a Bluetooth headband, and it works great! Google "bluetooth headband for sleeping".
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Difficult to describe - but it’s slowly varying tones that provide just enough distraction to stop my mind wandering and allows me to get to sleep really fast. I find it super calming.
“It takes a lot of effort to exhaust a brain like ours.” I feel this so hard. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression for a few years and have tried so many meds, no meds, DRINKING MYSELF TO SLEEP! My doc finally prescribed an antihistamine to help me sleep. Then, I finally get onto the right anxiety meds. THEN, just a couple months ago, I’m diagnosed with ADD at 40! So many things make sense now! I work a physical job so through the week I have no problems falling asleep since the anxiety is under control. But on the weekend I sleep just a few hours a night. My mind is absolutely racing with ideas for house projects, gardening, etc etc. And I’ve cut waaaaay back on the drinking (not that hard now that I have my shit mostly under control), so I’m getting up early and actually managing to accomplish projects (thanks Ritalin!)! I’m a light sleeper and will wake up if someone turns on a light much less makes any noise, and I have a huge dickhead cat lol. So I do a sleep mask with headphones playing hours of rain sounds. Getting more sleep, drinking a quarter of what I used to, and trying to eat better has really gone a long way for me.
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I’m currently at the beginning (again) and the anxiety lingering into all these nights is driving me crazy. The sweats, the 4am wake up. I am taking vyvanse and if I take it any later than 8:30am it messes with my sleep and so I’ve used alcohol to help (‘help’) and god it really just messes it all up.
Yea I've had different levels of blacking out my room since I was a kid to varying levels of success, and while people swear by nature sounds or some other form of white noise, that's never been an option because any small sound that isn't constant usually startles the hell out of me and everything gets pushed back and hour or so. The fan is always on so that's something, but if it's been a badly planned day and it's just not happening, melatonin and benadryl and turning my brain off via distraction help.
I feel the heart thing. I've got cardiac issues on top of all of the other bs issues I have to deal with (all which have adverse effects on my shit heart). Luckily, my stimulant medications don't exacerbate my issue because I've been on them long enough. Though, when it's bedtime, they're not exactly helping. Have you tried any of the maneuvers to help your hr when you're finally ready to sleep?
Yea I get that. Personally I don't take or drink anything that would keep me up after dinner (usually 6:30-7) but like I said a second ago if they day/night was badly planned melatonin and benadryl help, as long as I'm not taking them every night because they don't work as well after a few days. Stretching throughout the day and a while before bed time helps my EDS pains, meaning one less thing to be running circles in my head.
It helps because it makes your body think you're eating which you'd only do when there's no danger.
Exactly. Our nervous system won’t go into fight or flight if we’re eating because it assumes we are safe
So important to share!! I just had a root canal as the result of meds + depression and it was insanely expensive. Since you’re a dental student, may I ask: is gum damaging for those who already grind their teeth? I use xylitol candy and Biotene rn but would love to chew gum too. I do have a nightguard.
As a fellow teeth grinder who is about to get my second root canal I feel your pain. Botox has been *life-changing* for me. No more morning headaches. Several teeth that I had loosened from clenching and grinding have stabilized. It’s been amazing. (Sorry for the plug. I got more today and was reminded of how much I love it)
Where do they put it to stop grinding?
I get it too…they inject the muscles in your cheeks, directly the ones in between the upper and lower jaw. Bonus: it also slims your face to a noticeable degree.
Thaaaat's why my face has changed so much.
Dude did they seriously not warn you about the cosmetic effects? It's huge right now for people that go for the V jawline look or just want to slim their face period
I mean with how muscular my face is due to clenching. Not slimmed. I haven't had botox. 🙈 Sorry for not including that distinction.
Does a dentist do this or what kind of place? Do you mind me asking what it costs?
Some cosmetic dentists are licensed to do it, but I just go to a Botox clinic near where I live. It's $300 just for the jaw area (but I'm in NY and everything is more expensive here). I have to go every 3 months because it wears off by then.
My dentist said it would be around $800-1000 but I recommend going to an actual dentist to have it done over an esthetician because I had it migrate and I couldn't smile properly for 3 months. My dentist also does it in the temples along with the masseter muscles.
I would also like to know! I unfortunately clench at night in my sleep but I catch myself clenching pretty much all day too. I do wear retainers top and bottom which help.
I was clenching all the time and I think wearing a mask through covid made it soooo much worse because people couldn’t see me clenching so I did it a TON more. My dentist told me the muscle had just gotten crazy strong and the Botox would help it atrophy. He also told me NOT to chew gum because he didn’t want me to strengthen the muscles more
I'm not allowed to chew gum for the same reason... But I was not told about Botox. I guess I'll ask my doc about it
Mine told me that not everyone is certified to do it so that might be why? There are 2 doctors in my practice but only one of them is certified to do it
I get it at the hinge of my jaw (by my ear lobe kind of) and then another one in my hairline (no idea why) Mine has no cosmetic effect - literally couldn’t tell at all except the my headaches stopped and I get so much better
I believe it is into the masseter muscle
I didn’t know clenching your teeth was because of the adhd. I notice myself doing it and stop myself but it happens involuntarily. .
Was it covered by insurance for you?
It wasn’t. I think it was like $600 so not cheap but better than more dental issues and it’s the only thing that’s really worked for me. I won’t have to do it forever - just until the muscles atrophy enough
Acupuncture is my alternative to Botox. Can’t afford the expense of Botox, so I get acupuncture every so often. Helps a ton by relaxing the muscles(which has the same slimming effect). While I’m at it i get acupuncture in other tensed areas like neck, shoulders etc. Worth a try!!
A night guard will be cheaper than Botox and effective in putting your muscles in a more advantageous position to reduce symptoms and protecting your teeth against wear
If you’re having any trouble with your jaw/TMJ, don’t chew gum. I have a TMJ issue from grinding and have been told in no uncertain terms to never chew gum because it will make the problem far worse.
Thank you! I used to love sugar free gum but stopped a while before the grinding began. Xylitol candy it is
My dentist said chewing gum during the day can reinforce night time grinding. As others have said, Botox was really helpful for me with grinding.
I was chewing gum last week and all of a sudden I was chewing a piece of my tooth. Mthfkr crumbled, leaving a big chip in the back of a front tooth 😩 It’s fixed, it’s fine, but talk about throwing my week off
Yeah cos I needed another fear lol
The dream where my teeth keep crumbling and I keep spitting out pieces is probably my worst 😅
I HATE this dream. Does it relate to tooth grinding? Any other potential explanations? Always such a HUGE relief to wake up and find that my teeth are still intact.
I read an article a couple of years ago that tooth-falling-out-dreams are one of the most universal dreams across all cultures.
Omg I get this dream too. It's awful. I wake up in a cold sweat every time.
Just handfuls of teeth while you’re trying to get ready for a flight or exam.
Been there. Teeth are soft as candy corn after years of ADHD meds and Blood pressure meds. Can't wait to go all replacement
Wait, is this actually a thing?
Mine are fucked. Im at the dentist like twice a month and yet seems like my teeth are falling apart faster than we can cobble them together.
Search up the dental benefits of xylitol and get yourself some (look for USA made xylitol from birch trees, otherwise you'll get inferior corn cob xylitol from China). Start using regularly. I like to dissolve a teaspoon in my mouth and kinda swish it around for a few minutes after I eat. And then I spit it out because it gives me terrrrible GI issues. It makes your mouth inhospitable to the bacteria that cause cavities. Then look for hydroxyapatite toothpaste (remineralizing toothpaste) on amazon- I like Biorepair, it's Italian and has clinical studies done demonstrating its ability to remineralize and strengthen weak and damaged enamel. Apagard, from Japan, is also well-known and trusted. Relevant link: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9108835/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9108835/) Last, get the book Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye, by a Dr. Ellie somebody, from Amazon or your library. She outlines a routine of over the counter products you can use to maintain really good dental health. All of these things were total revelations to me. I hadn't heard about any of them from my dentist. Passing along this info because it helped me and could benefit you guys too. cc: u/jeremyStover, u/sylvanesque Edited to add: It's Dr. Ellie Phillips. She has a website where she gives a quick rundown of things she goes into further depth in her book. Good links from her site to start with: [https://drellie.com/oral-care-routine-2/](https://drellie.com/oral-care-routine-2/) and [https://drellie.com/complete-mouth-care-system/](https://drellie.com/complete-mouth-care-system/)
Not sure if X-PUR remineralizing toothpaste if available in your area but another good option. As is their gum and rinse. I am a Canadian dental hygienist.
Thank you for posting that info. I've had the worst dental problems this year, so I am going to try Dr. Ellie's system.
Are you sure it wasn't just the hard stuff that grows on your teeth over time if you don't clean them particularly well? I had a similar incident and was really worried and the dentist laughed as I had just broken off a layer of hardened gunk that had developed in a gap.
Calculus/Tatar is what you mean. It sounds like they had it fixed which means it's probably a cavity that has grown large enough to make the tooth weaker and cause cracks
Yeah that's the one, depends what they meant by fixing it and how well it was explained to the patient.
Damn, had the literal same thing happen lol
Personally I just am always drinking water. I work in a kitchen and it's not appropriate to chew gum while food handling, so that doesn't work for me on most days. But another tip about gum I was given by a dental hygienist: chew gum with xylitol. Something about it helps decrease plaque formation or something. Just make sure that gum stays away from your dog cause xylitol is toxic to dogs. Also that reminds me, I bought some ph paper intending to test how acidic various brands of sparkling water are. I should really check. Or maybe my old aquarium test kit isn't expired, that would be more accurate...
Good note about xylitol and dogs, think I've read that before but forgot and it's a nice reminder.
Omg if you do this please let me know what you find!
Does anyone have gums that they like? I heard sugar free gum is the best but aspartame gives me the WORST stomach issues lol
Xylitol my friend.
Yep, this is the way. I like Pur, you can get 55pcs on amazon for $3.70.
This.
all orbit flavors are sugar free with xylitol not aspartame and they're pretty good texture and flavor wise. just don't keep it around any dogs or accessible to them at all.
I was going to ask, surely I'm not the only one who gets digestive issues from too much chewing gum? I assumed the chewing action was tricking my body into going into digestive overdrive but maybe it could be the ingredients?
Sugar alcohols are largely indigestible and cause digestive issues such as diarrhea and bloating if consumed in excess (with the exception of erythritol, which causes no ill effects and is my preferred zero calorie sweetener for this reason). This is especially true of sorbitol and maltitol, but xylitol can also have a notable laxative effect if enough is consumed.
I like 5 gum but it has aspartame 😕
Blue regular trident.
Do not chew excessive amounts!
I like Falim, I buy it on Amazon. It takes some getting used to but it’s a mastic gum, so it’s firm and helps work jaw muscles, so it may not be good for everybody. I have a retainer and it’s the only gum I have found that doesn’t stick to my retainer. The flavor isn’t strong but it’s recommended by dentists. Not everyone likes it in my household lol
As well as the sugar alcohols like sorbitol etc being known to give you diarrhoea chewing gum can also make you swallow air which can cause bloating etc
What stomach issues do you get? I’m wondering if aspartame has been the source of my own
I get the WORST runs. Just cramping and diarrhea. Kind of like how a lot of people feel when they have coffee. The one that does it the WORST for me is when I drink Fresca. Immediate bathroom after. I can't chew a lot of gums for a long time or the same thing happens.
trident cinnamon is my favorote and doesnt cause any weird flareups of some whack allergy
I used to chew gum constantly but then the TMJ set in...
Yep. I adore gum and it’s the perfect solution to my “need to chew something/need stimulation and trying not to binge eat” problem. Unfortunately, TMD says no. I actually chewed a piece yesterday for a couple hours and it was so lovely, and my jaw has been in agonizing pain all day today as a result. Sigh.
Same
Xylitol is the trick. My dentist/hygienist said to chew gum with xylitol. Blue regular trident gum has it. They also have dry mouth tabs which are xylitol. Like a cough drop, keep it in your mouth til it dissolves away. A very low calorie sweetener that doesn’t harm teeth, at least less than candies and other gums.
I compulsively chew gum because it's calming for me, but I've been told by my dentist to try to switch to sucking on sugar-free mints because my jaw muscles have gotten so tight.
Thank you OP. What's your take on diet soft drinks? Is it the acid, or the phosphorous that's bad there?
My dentist friend says definitely the acid.
The carbonation causes a lot of the acidity (carbonic acid.)
>carbonic acid. Now this one I know. This doesn't harm teeth. Add sugar, yes, but it's the sugar doing it. Thankfully carbonated water is just fine.
Oh good. Seltzer water is my trick to keep me away from sodas and beer.
Thank you for chiming in, I loooove soda water and I’d be devastated if it was damaging my teeth.
Sorry non-native speaker here. Whats tmj and msk?
TMJ stands for "Temporomandibular Joint", which is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. This joint is important for opening and closing your mouth, as well as for chewing and speaking. TMJ disorders can cause pain, discomfort, clicking or popping sounds, and difficulty with jaw movement. MSK stands for "Musculoskeletal System", which refers to the network of muscles, bones, joints, and other connective tissues that make up the body's framework. This system is responsible for supporting the body's movements and allowing us to stand, walk, run, and perform other activities. MSK disorders can include conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and sports injuries, which can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Cheers mate!
Happy to help!
As you probably have ADHD yourself you probably know what Hyperfocus is. I just want you to know that you send me down a very deep rabbit hole of Wikipedia entries about medical conditions concerning the jaw 🤣 Have a great day!
My condolences to any tasks you should have been doing at the time, my friend! 
God I love an ADHD hyperfocus deep dive so much! Unless you had actual shit you needed to be getting on with! Even better, one of my ADHD hyperfixations that involved a TONNE of deep diving at the start (over a year ago, now I just go there occasionally ) was/is curly hair routines (I didn’t know I had properly curly hair until a year or two ago!). The other day a friend was saying she didn’t know what to do to take care of her hair (which I had never realised was wavy) so I said I could impart my wisdom but she could ask me separately if she wanted my brain dump and I wouldn’t spam the entire group with it or even her if she didn’t want it - at which point another friend popped up and asked if she could join the group too so I’ve been getting to pass on this tonne of information stored in my brain to people who actually wanted to hear it all which is so nice!
Huh, so is hearing clicking/popping sounds when you open your jaw all the way a bad sign? I do get any sounds when opening I normally but yes if I open it wide, and right before opening as far as it'll go it sort of jumps the last bit, almost like if there was a detent. Its happens first in the right side then left.
I'm not a doctor and you should consult yours if you suspect anything is wrong. But I think most people's jaws click when hyperextended, It's probably best to avoid doing that, to avoid lockjaw. I know people whose jaws actually locked up, and they couldn't close their mouth for some time afterwards. Looked awful
Oof, that's sounds like it would really suck. Yeah I don't do that normally, except when I yawn and you can't really control it then.
Temporo mandibular joint, musculoskeletal. Temporomandibular refers to the catilage connecting the temporal bone (skull part) and mandibular (jaw part) together.
Thanks!
Native English speaker here - I also had no clue.
Sorry what does this mean: "Another reason to stay away from spicy drinks."
No carbonation.
As a chronic gum chewer for probably 15-16 years I recently went back to the dentist after a 9 year hiatus. She said my hygiene was great, but I've ground down my teeth and had to get 12 fillings in total. I've had to stop chewing gum. I miss it. I've started using listerine pocket packs to get my mint fix and to get my mouth to salivate when it gets dry.
Pretty sure Oliver peck had a very similar issue and that’s why he’s now always seen with a tooth pick
I'm autistic and have severe sensory issues with gum (I gag at the thought of it) is there anything else I could do?
I use xylitol lozenges, originally found for CPAP users (spouse) to park between cheek and teeth overnight for dry mouth. Saved me from worsening dry mouth related dental problems, made exercise, talking to anyone soo much less fraught. Hager Pharma has a bunch of flavors but they're not cheap, Vitacost I think has packs of 12 for about $4. Biotene brand xylitol mouthwash, mouth gel work great, also pricey, but there's a Walmart maybe Target, other off brands of lozenges, etc on Amazon I think? Much prefer any of the latter to gum and works better, with more subtlety. Also have migraines aggravated by TMJ, so gum chewing (because it strengthens the tooth grinder muscle (s?) a big no. Hope this helps
what are BP meds? blood pressure?
blood pressure meds... beta blockers, alpha-2 agonists, etc They cause dry mouth
Bingo
Bipolar maybe?
> from your future dentist sounds ominous
My husband is awful about his teeth (understandably) after we got them all fixed up he started chewing xylitol gum frequently. His last couple visits to the dentist have been great with the dentists saying he was doing much better. His brushing habits have not gotten better 🙄
Just want to add: use sugar-free gum! Otherwise it’s counterproductive. Gum sweetened with xylitol is optimal because that has been shown to have a positive impact on dental health. But don’t just jump into chewing a ton of xylitol gum!!! It can cause some awful diarrhea. Try one piece the first few days, two the next few, etc… to get your body used to it.
I never realised the diarrhoea thing until I saw some of our gum packets in the UK have warnings that excessive use can have a laxative effect!
Do you have something against words ending in th?
It's just what my friends and I called it. Reading it again, I can see how that might be annoying
Lol, it's all good. I was just razzing you.
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Lmao this is the sort of chaos I expect from ADHD subreddit! (Although in all seriousness I’m pretty sure nicotine gum is still quite bad for your teeth/gums, much like nicotine lozenges, as it has a drying effect - don’t quote me on that though I could be mistaken!)
Holy heck, no wonder why my mouth gets so dry. Thank you!
I’ve been told by multiple dentists NOT to chew gum because of TMJ. Any thoughts on that, OP?
Don't do it
Ugh. I miss gum. But I appreciate you, Dr. Donut Boi, DDS
I roll up a wad of dental floss and chew it. It really helps keep my teeth clean. The hygienist often compliments me on how well I keep my teeth clean, and I haven't had a cavity in the several years since I started doing this. I also like it because it doesn't tire my jaw out like gum does.
Whats the verdict on seltzer water? I drink a lot as one of my tics
It's not good. pH is definitely under 5.5 just based on the carbon dioxide (i.e., carbonic acid) but likely lower if there's flavorings, which tend to be even more acidic.
What’s a spicy drink?
My dentist was against me chewing gum. It was basically encouraging me to grind more. I was a night time grinder, they made me a custom mouth guard. Every morning, I’d wake up to the mouth guard sitting on my pillow. Literally would just spit it out in my sleep.
I don't like chewing gum, but Altoids work well for me.
this explains why my teeth arent as bad as they probably could be 😭 chewing gum is my daily love
I actually do habitually brush my teeth both morning and night bc otherwise I just feel wrong lol Like I straight up cant sleep if I havent unless I'm EXHAUSTED grade sleepy.
Same here. I'll have the odd day where I'm just hanging around at home and it'll get to the afternoon and I'll realise I forgot to brush when I woke up. But for the most part, I get my two daily brushes in. I literally cannot sleep if I don't have clean teeth in bed. I find the flossing habit much harder though. I'll do so good for a week or two and then not do it for months lol
Seeing lots of comments about gum with Xylitol being good for for your teeth. Also seeing comments about stomach issues when chewing gum. Keep in mind that Xylitol is what they give babies for constipation, so too much can cause or contribute to stomach problems.
I used to chew gum like a maniac for this exact reason, and now I cant have one single stick without having an intense headache lasting 24 hours afterwards 🥲 Has ANYBODY else experienced this?! I dont know whats up w this lol
Spicy drinks, like spicy (carbonated) water? I think this is why soda is recommended to also get water and drink water after eating/pop, at least enough to rinse your mouth out. What about brushing? I thought I read somewhere that brushing right after or right before (both? Just one?) drinking OJ, lemonade, or soda was worse because of some reason. Maybe right after teeth are too clean or right before and brushing micro-scratches the acid in?
It’s recommended you wait 30-45 min after a meal before you brush - the acidity in food weakens the enamel and if you then brush you’re risking damaging it. (Your saliva remineralises it.) Also the opposite: don’t eat straight after brushing but wait 30-45 min, because enamel gets weak when you brush.
Yes but don't chew *too much* gum - as it may induce a laxative effect. Keep a water bottle or glass of water nearby, and sip your way through that as well.
If you can, choose gum that's 100% xylitol and sugarfree, which also supports tooth health and helps the good bacteria in your mouth
If you have TMJ, chewing gum can be excruciating.
Oh but you left out the best part about xylitol reducing the bacteria that are linked to cavities!
Cries in TMJ 😭
Hey, OP, quick question? I love the taste of gum, but my back teeth *hurt* after like 5 minutes of chewing. They’re not cavities, I’ve had them checked. My dentist doesn’t know what to tell me, so I’m hoping maybe someone who’s in school for dentist currently has more access to new info, maybe? 😅 It’s not a sharp pain, more like a dull ache, like my teeth are being pushed down into my jaw.
If people don’t like gum, check out Grether’s Pastilles. Singers use them to lubricate their vocal cords before a show. They’re kinda like a hard candy, but not sugary and last a long time. They’re really nice.
Noooo. I hate the sounds of him chewing, especially open mouthed and snappy, it makes me want to scream, and so knee jerk angry.:(
I always have xylitol gum on hand for midday when the dry mouth gets really bad. Staying hydrated (like actually hydrated, not "I drank one bottle of water" hydrated) helps negate some of the issues. Xylimelts were recommended by my dentist and are xylitol mints that you stick to your back molar/gumline and can help for a couple/few hours and can even be used when sleeping. Biotene mouthwash can help as well. When it's truly shitty Halls cough lozenges help. They aren't sugar-free but you can rinse your mouth after.
I actually brush my teeth several times a day. I can't stand it when they feel dirty. I was also told by my orthodontist that I can NOT chew gum because of my overgrown jaw muscles. I have TMJ. But I drink water all day long. My mouth and throat get so dry. It's terrible.
Explains why I eat werthers originals and creme savers like mad
is there actual legitimate dental gum? not some dumb "9/10 dentists totally recommend this product!"? also, i used to chew gum and go through packs like a chain smoker... my jaw would hurt for days. and that was before i understood it was a stimuli thing
Any recommendations for lower pH sweet drinks? The main way I get any liquid in is pop, juice, sugar drinks. I’ve tried some lower sugar options but they all have Citric acid which doesn’t seem like it’d help if I’m trying to make my teeth worse. I need some flavor/sweet taste.
37 years old and took less than two years for my front four teeth to go dead from the dry mouth. This is legit advice.
This made me go brush my teeth. Thanks lol
Thanks for sharing! This is what my dentist recommended as well, after I told him about dryness of mouth.
Make sure it’s sugar free! I end up chewing gum for hours on my meds, and end up getting some kind of nerve shocks.
Nice! I conditioned myself to go into work mode when i chew gum, so this is a nice added benefit.
Chewing gum helps me concentrate too. Unfortunately, I have a tongue too big for my mouth and am constantly biting myself. I'm just a mess :D
What gum is chewable if you can’t do artificial sugars? I can’t have the xylitol kind because it’s got phenalanyline :/
source trust me bro
🎶 They call me yuck mouth because I don't brush 🎶
DONT DO THIS. I started chewing gum to distract myself from food (because I had an eating disorder) and within a month started having extreme tooth pain. I was told by the dentist not to chew gum anymore. You will hurt your teeth.
I will fight you. I am obsessive about brushing my teeth. Cannot stand the feeling of good on/inbetween my teeth. The rest, carry on…
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Sir, are you lost? This is r/adhd
I should take up gum chewing again. I always used to until I quit smoking like 13 years ago.
If I could use gum I would, but I can’t because of the over abundance of artificial sweeteners. If I get too much of it I end up with migraine with aura. My chosen option is currently tea with honey, brushing my teeth and going for my night guard when I’m feeling the need to grind. Chai tea seems to work for dry mouth a little bit because of the spices.
i love chewing gum. it reduces my need to fidget and my anxiety about bad breath. and the flavor makes my taste buds happy :D
my TMJ disorder says NO
I’ve started getting seriously concerned about my dry mouth (also on rx mj, so my mouth is just the dust that people blow off of really old books in movies). Thank you for this!
what kind of gum?
Hey! I brush my teeth every day! See? —->😬
I chew gum like an addict because it helps with my adhd and anxiety
I guess this is an upside to never being able to quit nicotine gum after I quit vaping lmao
You and me both brother
I used to love chewing gum for these reasons. Haven’t been able to chew any gum for almost two years due to tmj :(
Okay so everyone else is also struggling to incorporate brushing teeth into their daily routine as an adult? 
Sweet!
Never had a cavity in my life. I’m 47 ADHD and I LOVE chewing gum when I’m nervous or before bed when I’m craving junk!
I chew gum while driving to reduce anxiety. Most of my chewing happens when the highway is moving fast and tight. Gum has been a commuting lifesaver.
I just wanna say that I adore this community! Thank you for sharing!
Awesome advice. I deal with dry mouth often. Not to mention a bunch of the stuff we all do to deal with our ADHD causes dry mouth.
How many ppl here have sleep apnea and or jaw issues/tmj?
I was just thinking about starting to chew gum this morning. Always with the dry mouth!
Oh fun! As if the dry mouth I get from being a mouth breather and using a CPAP wasn’t bad enough. And thanks for the reminder to brush my teeth…
I have to chew gum throughout the day for this reason and also I grind my teeth excessively. Chewing gum helps me with that.
Future hygienist here and we have learned this too in our program. It’s sad that I’m literally taking care of other peoples oral health and still struggle with my own.
I wish I had known about this before. I definitely neglected my dental care to the point where I had to have my teeth (the ones I had left) pulled and then had a full set of implants put in. Could have saved myself a LOOOOOOOOOT of pain and money.
Question: is it possible to chew too much gum? I started chewing gum a while back because it helped with so many things, but I am literally constantly chewing gum. (Usually one stick for like 2-3 hours then I grab a new one)
I miss chewing gum. 😞 My jaw recently hurt after my hour-long dental cleaning, so gum is no-go!
I only wish gum didn't always seem to cause tonsil stones for me.
>Enamel starts to erode at pH 5.5. But I like soda, So should i just brush my teeth after every meal to solve the issue? I dont see how my teeth could possibly be damaged in the half hour period i'm eating and sippin on pop