Medically reviewed by Edmund Khoo, DDS Key Takeaways Chewing gum strengthens jaw muscles but doesn't define the jawline. A ...

We all know the ritual of unwrapping a stick of gum before a big date, a job interview or to stay awake during a college lecture or afternoon slump. After all, gum is the ultimate multitasker – ...

The conversation about facial aging typically focuses on sun exposure, genetics, and skincare routines, while overlooking a fundamental daily activity—chewing. This repetitive action, performed ...

Lockjaw occurs when chewing muscles spasm, restricting the opening of the mouth. Diagnosis may involve a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging like CT scans or MRIs. Mild cases of lockjaw can be ...

TikTok has fueled the explosion of innocuous fitness trends like “hot girl walks” and “biohacking.” But health experts worry a new facial fitness craze could become more harmful than beneficial: ...

Paleoanthropologists have wondered how and why humans evolved molars that emerge into the mouth at specific ages and why those ages are so delayed compared to living apes. It is the coordination ...

Suggested Citation: "Appendix D: Masticatory System: Anatomy and Function." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Temporomandibular ...