Painful Salivation?

[hixxxx]

For years I've experienced what I believe is painful salivation. When I first start to eat something, I feel sharp, severe pain in my jaw area.  Enough pain that it causes me to "cringe". I'm wondering if it is indeed my saliva glands doing this to me, and if there is anything I can do to stop it.

[WebNinjaTaylor]

Has happened to me for years too.  Only the very first bite of something and only happens on occasion.  I'm a man, so it's not about monthly cycles (for me) and it can't be a bacteria infection since this has happened for years.

[Burgan]

Do culture for saliva to exclude bacterial infection (C&S), if results came out negative, then l advise u consult a Neurologist.

[BrittanyInWV]

I get the same exact thing, although perhaps not quite as painful.  I've noted it's tied to monthly cycles, and is especially pronounced right around the start of a new cycle.  I'm also a migraine sufferer, and find it often happens around the time of a migraine.  I understand migraine cause irritation in the trigeminal nerve, which sends nerves to various parts of the face, and I presume to the salivary glands.  I'm guessing the inflammation of the trigeminal nerves causes some stimulation to the salivary glands (perhaps it also directly innervates the salivary glands..?), so results in this over-reaction.  Migraines are known to also cause over-reactions to optic nerves (some people see "auras" during migraines).  I'm not a doctor though.  Neurologists are the ones who treat migraines, so they might be able to diagnose directly...

[NeonXXX]

A related discussion, Painful over-salivation. was started.

[I am WHO.]

That is exactly what happens to me.  It's been going on for a year and a half and it started on the bottom glands, then switched to the top glands.  Now it's back on the bottom glands...and it's all just like you say.  Teeth are fine.  Saliva is normal...I think.  No drooling...that I would admit to (kidding.  I really don't drool.)  No swelling.

I'm curious as to whether you guys have any other symptoms, and also, is it mildly painful or excruciating?  Sometimes it is excruciating for me, not like I've just bit on a lemon, more like I've been hit in the face with a sledge hammer...but not always.  It varies in intensity and is worse for the first strong flavor of the day.

AND I too cannot find ANY info ANYWHERE about painful salivation...yes, like it doesn't really exist.  Have we stepped into another dimension?  If so, where's the portal back home?  I want to eat some candy.  


P.S.  Anybody got any info about this or links? If so, please post.  Thanks.

[roxyblue]

I have exactly what you have. It's pain but more like as if I bit into a lemon. It's not all the time. It happens just sometimes.  when it does happen it happens with the first bite of food. It reacts just like if you put something very sour in your mouth. I wish I knew what it was. I have been wondering. I have 5 brothers and it doesnt happen to them. Only been happening to me for about 6years.

[Jaybay]

If you haven't seen a dentist recently, now would be a good time to go.  Even if you see your primary care doc, he'll probably want you to rule out a dental problem first.  A cracked tooth can go unnoticed for a long time until an infection develops in the pulp.  There are any number of dental problems that can cause pain when you eat.  Have you noticed if it's pressure from chewing, or more related to the temperature of the food and drink?  Where exactly in your jaw does the pain seem the worst?

Another consideration would be a small saliva stone, but that tends to involve a certain amount of facial swelling, which you don't mention.  Also, saliva stones tend to resolve on their own without medical interference.