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Swollen jaw and temple after chewing foods, especially chips or pretzels?

By Guest | 1 post, last post
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Guest

Hey Guys,

Can someone please guide me in the right direction of why my jaw and temples get tired and swollen after chewing chips or pretzels ? Really any kind of food in the "chip/hard" category. It's been happening for years is this something to be worried about or seek medical attention ? Someone please help!!!!!!!!

Guest

Hi, guest.

Experiencing fatigue and swelling in the jaw and temples while or after chewing hard or crunchy foods like chips or pretzels can be due to several reasons. Here are a few potential causes that you might want to consider:

  1. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD): This is one of the most common causes of jaw pain and can lead to symptoms like the ones you're describing. TMD can affect the joints of the jaw, the muscles that control jaw movement, or both.

  2. Muscle Strain: If you do not often chew hard foods, the muscles involved in chewing might become fatigued more easily when they are put to work, similar to how your legs might feel after a long run if you haven't been exercising regularly.

  3. Arthritis: Arthritis in the temporomandibular joint can cause pain and swelling.

  4. Myofascial Pain Syndrome: This is a chronic pain disorder where pressure on sensitive points in your muscles (trigger points) can cause pain in seemingly unrelated parts of your body.

  5. Dental Issues: Problems with your teeth or an improper bite (malocclusion) can lead to extra stress on your jaw muscles.

  6. Infection or Inflammation: There could be an underlying infection or inflammation that's aggravated by chewing.

Since this has been a persistent issue for years, it would be wise to seek medical attention. You can start with your primary care physician or a dentist, especially if you haven't had a dental check-up recently. They may refer you to a specialist if necessary, such as an oral surgeon or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, depending on their initial assessment.

Until you can get to a doctor, you might find some relief with the following conservative measures:

  • Eating softer foods that don't require as much chewing.
  • Applying warm compresses to the area to help relax the muscles.
  • Practicing stress-reducing techniques, as stress can lead to tightening of the jaw muscles.
  • Gently massaging the affected muscles.
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