Sharp pain around the jaw after alcohol consumption

[MCurley]

For about 2 years now, I have noticed that after a glass of wine I experience a sharp pain around my jaw. I've had this sensation before whenever I eat a citris or sour fruit, however, lately after consuming any alcohol such as beer, wine, and margaritas, etc., I get this sharp, excruciating pain after just one glass. It hurts so badly, especially if I drink water. The moment the H2O hits the jaw part of my inner mouth, a burning sensation immediately follows. Now, here's the strange part, if I drink another glass of alcohol the pain will subside instantly. The pain will still return but will not be as painful as the prior time. I have read about Lymphoma, and I cannot say that I experience this pain any where else in my body, and I don't seem to experience any of the other symptoms. I'd appreciate any input in helping me come up with a solution for this. Someone told me that the solution was to either drink plenty or nothing at all in order to avoid this... ha ha. Anyway, one more thing... I don't think I have this problem with mixed drinks containing sodas and liquor.

[sssd]

I can say confidently, this in not an allergic reaction.

[sssd]

so I am an MD and I just got to this forum trying to find out why the heck my Parotid (big salivary gland just in the back jaw area and close to the ear) hurt so bad after drinking some wines. even though I haven't read it in a scientific paper, the theory of this being a spasm of the salivary gland (or the muscles) makes sense. it is well known that acids stimulate the parotid gland to secrete saliva, so I guess something in the wine (or the other things you have mentioned) cause an abrupt stimulation of the parotid causing it to hurt.  something really benign just bothersome.

[veganbarbara]

I have had this same problem for years.  I'm only an occasional drinker, but, this always happens when I drink more than 1 1/2 margaritas.  I'm okay up to that point, but I can't finish a second one!  I couldn't drink more than 3 sips of a cosmopolitan last night, because the pain was so bad.  It gets very scary, at the time it's happening, because it seems like an allergic reaction.

[Glen1980]

I agree that it might be connected to fermentation!!! I get the same pain behind my ears with wine and now I get it with beer.  I didn't think there would be so many people with this problem. As I gotten older I am also allergic to fruits: cherries, peaches, apples.

[Carol2212]

That would be awesome! I've asked a dentist and 2 GP's and they said "I don't know" and look at me like I'm crazy!

[TJManning]

I am a dentist and I suffer from this as well. I don't drink very often, so I tend to forget about. After I drink a beer I will get intense, shooting jaw pain if I eat something soon afterwards. My assumption was the pain was coming from the salivary glands, possibly caused by a lower pH. The comment that mentioned the salivary gland spasms made sense to me. If it were allergies I would expect to feel a burning or itching sensation. I will continue to research this and post more when I can.