# Taste of food causing pain in back of jaw **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 18, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717 "2003-06-18T15:13:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WoodOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/34f0e0/32.png) [@WoodOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WoodOwl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/1 "2003-06-18T15:13:37Z")
Why does (sometimes) the first taste of something cause a pain in the back part of the jaw, in the muscles where the mandible attaches to the skull? ---
**Author:** ![RedDawgEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedDawgEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedDawgEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/2 "2003-06-18T15:21:03Z")
The same person who answers that can probably answer this: Frequently, after chewing my first food for the day, an aching/burning sensation will occur in the roof of my mouth. It is so painful I literally have to stop chewing for anywhere from 30 to 90 seconds while the pain subsides on its own. Is this a common occurrance? Does it have a name? Is there a medication or dietary modification that will minimize the severity and/or frequency of this syndrome? Sorry if this is considered a hijack. ---
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/3 "2003-06-18T16:08:55Z")
**WoodOwl** I get the same thing sometimes. It usually happens with the first swig of a glass of red wine. MtM ---
**Author:** ![DeskMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DeskMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeskMonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/4 "2003-06-18T16:26:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RedDawgEsq \* > \*\*The same person who answers that can probably answer this: Frequently, after chewing my first food for the day, an aching/burning sensation will occur in the roof of my mouth. It is so painful I literally have to stop chewing for anywhere from 30 to 90 seconds while the pain subsides on its own. Is this a common occurrance? Does it have a name? Is there a medication or dietary modification that will minimize the severity and/or frequency of this syndrome? > > Sorry if this is considered a hijack. \*\* Gah! This happens to me too! It happens with a few different foods, but especially pancakes (which I don’t have very often). I have no idea why and I really hate it. Could the jaw pain with wine be due to a mild allergy to sulphites? ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/5 "2003-06-18T16:28:14Z")
Although it is quite rare, _glossopharyngeal neuralgia_ can cause pain with swallowing or chewing. Look [here](http://imigraine.net/other/glosso.html), [here](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001636.htm), or [here](http://www.umanitoba.ca/cranial_nerves/glossopharyngeal_neuralgia/) (or just search on the term). ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/6 "2003-06-18T16:31:55Z")
I think it is your saliva glands rushing to secret saliva because your so darn hungry. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/7 "2003-06-18T16:40:22Z")
I should add, it happens to me too but only when I take my first bite and when I`m on the border of starvation. (OK, if I haven`t eaten in a long time.) It only lasts about 10 seconds or so and is usually followed by a surge of saliva. {sound of body speaking} must eat now! hurry, food has entered the oral cavity, spray with saliva post-haste. ---
**Author:** ![smaft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@smaft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaft)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/8 "2003-06-18T17:17:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by McDeath\_the\_Mad \* > **WoodOwl** I get the same thing sometimes. It usually happens with the first swig of a glass of red wine. Exactly the same with me, although it will happen with the first few swigs. Oddly enough, however, it seems to occur randomly- the same wine won’t do it every time. It’s unrelated to me being hungry. It is rather unpleasant when it does happen, though. ---
**Author:** ![other-wise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4bbf92/32.png) [@other-wise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/other-wise)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/9 "2003-06-18T18:06:30Z")
Broccoli’s ok. Red wine’s ok. Beer’s ok. Broccoli _with_ red wine or beer = WoodOwl syndrome. I, too, thought there might be a sulfite connection, considering the offending substances. But it seems to happen _only_ in combination… I could eat 5 pounds of plain broccoli in one sitting without triggering the syndrome. Not related to being hungry. ---
**Author:** ![Hauky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/0ea827/32.png) [@Hauky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hauky)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/10 "2003-06-18T18:10:35Z")
I get the same thing as the OP. Usually, it occurs first on one side of the mouth, then the other. The saliva thing actually sounds pretty darned plausible, since the location at least is about right. Is there anything the SDMB doesn’t know? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RedDawgEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedDawgEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedDawgEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/11 "2003-06-18T19:46:37Z")
Chimes in with additional info: The articles about Glossopharyngeal neuralgia all fail to list the roof of the mouth as a site of the experienced pain. Thanks to DeskMonkey’s observation, I am reminded that my episodes are usually associated with breakfast or brunch, or at least the first food of the day. Perhaps not uncoincidentally, it sometimes involve pancakes, waffles, etc., which frequently have syrup on them, or a “sweetroll”, so perhaps the common culprit is sugar. The same foodstuffs will not provoke the symptoms if they are not the first food intake of the day. Conversely, the first intake of the day does not consistently provoke the symptoms, even if it is a foodstuff that has caused the symptom in the past. Like the OP, I also have the described pain further back in the TM joint which I characterize as an “ache” that can manifests any time of day IF I have had nothing to eat or drink for a period of time. Coincidently, this USUALLY happens with something sweet, say a cookie or chocolate brownie. I have not noticed it being coincident with wines but will be on the alert for that connection. Oddly, I can reliably predict when this symptom is about to present just as I am beginning to sink the choppers into the icing. Attention Pain Researchers: I am available for research and evaluation projects at modest rates. You provide the wine and chocolate, however. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/12 "2003-06-18T20:13:57Z")
Thank-you **smaft**! I was always afraid to tell people when this happens to me. I never really even knew how to describe it. It’s totally random with me, and it only happens when I drink red wine. I drink different brands (usually quite dry). It also only bothers me for the first sip or two, after that it’s painfree drinking time! MtM ---
**Author:** ![legion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/838e76/32.png) [@legion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legion)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/13 "2003-06-18T21:24:26Z")
Yes, Thanks Smaft. I don’t feel like such a weirdo now.🙂 I get the feeling when I drink wine - any wine - and, strangely, when I blow up balloons! ---
**Author:** ![smaft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@smaft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaft)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/14 "2003-06-18T21:53:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by legion \* > Yes, Thanks Smaft. I don’t feel like such a weirdo now.🙂 > > I get the feeling when I drink wine - any wine - and, strangely, when I blow up balloons! Man! Got me again! This is exactly why I try my damnedest to never blow up balloons. ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/15 "2003-06-18T23:33:11Z")
I used to get it all the time from canned tuna. And only canned tuna. I’ve wondered if it’s some kind of allergic reaction or a chemical sensitivity. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/16 "2003-06-19T02:48:19Z")
Wow! I thought I was the only one with this! I get it with candy or cake, usually when it’s chocolate, and as others have suggested, usually when it’s been a while hit… errrr “dose”… errr… let’s make that “snack” 😃 Truth to tell, though, I often get it a few seconds **before** my first bite. I’m not kidding! This phenomenon has led me to suspect that my body is having some kind of Pavlovian reaction to the anticipation of the sweets, but I never knew what body part would be producing such a reaction. Thank you, **whuckfistle** , for suggesting that the answer may be the salivary glands. It makes perfect sense! ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/17 "2003-06-19T05:11:07Z")
[hijack] Has anyone bit down on a ball of aluminum foil using your molars in the back? Heh, heh… Carry on… [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![CelraySoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@CelraySoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelraySoda)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/18 "2003-06-19T05:20:18Z")
I asked my brother this question a while ago (he’s a bio-chemical and bio-medical engineer) so hopefully he knows what he’s talking about. He said it’s a rush of blood “waking up” you saliva glands to do it’s work. Usually after eating bland foods or no food at all for a period of time. Also, just to add a fact in the earlier posts…That no fine restaraunts will serve artichokes and wine together. They will take away the taste from either the wine or the food. Interesting, huh? -M ---
**Author:** ![Tarantula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@Tarantula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarantula)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/19 "2003-06-19T11:52:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by other-wise \* > \*\*…I could eat 5 pounds of plain broccoli in one sitting without triggering the syndrome. \*\* Maybe you just wouldn’t notice because you’d be puking up 5 pounds of broccoli… Not to mention the explosive diarrhoea… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![smam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@smam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smam)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717/20 "2003-06-19T12:32:35Z")
I get the saliva pain rush when I bite into cheese. It comes from under the tongue though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-of-food-causing-pain-in-back-of-jaw/182717.md?page=2)