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Study: Chewing Gum Might Be Linked To Headaches In Children

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Children love to chew gum, but if they chew too long, it could cause more than tooth decay.

As CBS 2's Alice Gainer reported, a new study found that chewing gum might be to blame for chronic headaches in children.

"They asked kids to stop chewing gum for a period of time, and they saw that children who were chewing gum dramatically had a decrease in the amount of headaches that they were having," said Dr. Kim Giuliano, a pediatrician at the Cleveland Clinic.

In a study that was published in the journal Pediatric Neurology, researchers at Tel Aviv University studied 30 headache sufferers from ages 6 to 19. They were instructed to stop chewing gum for a month. Results show 26 of 30 reported imporvements in their headaches. Nineteen said their headaches disappeared completely.

Researchers say the overuse of a particular joint that helps the lower jaw move or a certain ingredient in the gum itself might be the cause, but more studies are needed.

Regardless, Giuliano said it's worth a shot to spit out the gum as a way to decrease headaches without using medication.

"If your child does have frequent headaches and they are a frequent gum chewer, I certainly think it warrants taking a trial off of the gum," she said. "It's doesn't necessarily mean it's going to help your child."

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(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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