Epiglottitis? Laryngitis? Tracheitis (Hmmm, that does not look right for spelling. I mean inflammation of the trachea). Ya, know, I think even post nasal drip could cause that kind of irritation. So allergies? A mild cold that you haven't been able to kick?
Personally I doubt if it has to do with chewing our food. My guess is a low-level viral infection, in which case, probably time for your body to heal it is the cure. If you want to feel real scared I could say, oh, could be a tumor of the thyroid or parathyroid....But, uh, don't listen to me, not only am I not a doctor and don't play one on TV, but I don't even watch them being played on TV. (Love it in those hospital scenes where they have recorded sound effects including the sounds of a mechanical ventilator, yet no one in the scene is supposed to be on one...other TV hospital quirks drive me crazy, too. I can't suspend disbelief. Therefore, I have never acquired my T.V.M.D.
)