Medical Services

Mastication disorder, or difficulty chewing, can make it hard for a person to eat and enjoy food. It could be caused by a number of things, such as dental issues like tooth decay, gum disease, missing teeth, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) difficulties. Other possible causes are infections in the mouth, ill-fitting dentures, injuries to the jaw, or neurological disorders, including stroke or Parkinson's disease.

Some of the signs are pain when chewing, clicking sounds in the jaw, not being able to open your mouth wide, or not wanting to eat particular foods. This can cause older people to lose weight and not get enough nourishment over time. Kids who have trouble chewing may not grow as quickly or have trouble speaking.
A dental or medical evaluation, which may include a physical exam and imaging if necessary, is usually how a diagnosis is made. The type of treatment depends on the cause. For example, dental restorations, orthodontics, TMJ therapy, or physical therapy may be suggested. Sometimes, changing what you eat and getting speech-language therapy can help.. If you have trouble chewing all the time, see a dentist or doctor for the right diagnosis and treatment.