SUMMARY A group of 248 randomly selected high noises (P!0·05), and between crushing ice and musschool
girls, aged 15–16 years, completed a question- cle sensitivity to palpation (P!0·005). A positive
naire and were examined clinically with regard to association was found between ‘jaw play’ and joint
various oral habits and signs and symptoms of tem- disturbances: reported joint noises (P!0·01), catchporomandibular
disorders (TMD). Common habits ing of the joint (P!0·01) and joint tension (P!0·001).
reported in the literature, such as gum chewing, nail A positive association was also found between arm
biting, biting foreign objects, clenching and bruxism, leaning and reported joint noises (P!0·05), catching
eating seeds and crushing ice, as well as two less (P!0·05), and joint tension (P!0·005). There was no
reported habits, ‘jaw play’ and continuous arm lean- association between the presence of bruxism and
ing, were evaluated. The most outstanding finding muscle sensitivity to palpation or joint disturbances.
was the high prevalence and intensity of gum chew- The potential harmful effects of intensive gum chewing
among our study group: 92% of the girls chewed ing, ‘jaw play’, continuous arm leaning and ice crushdaily
and 48% chewed gum for more than 3 h a day ing are presented in this study. In light of these
(intensive gum chewing). Statistically significant as- findings, the professional community should address
sociations were found between intensive gum chew- these habits with proper data gathering, examinaing
and muscle sensitivity (P!0·001) and joint tion and consultation.