Jaw Pain as a Symptom of COVID-19 Infection

Jaw Pain as a Symptom of COVID-19

Jaw pain has recently emerged as a common symptom in people infected with COVID-19. Understanding the causes and patterns of COVID-related jaw pain can help guide appropriate medical care and symptom management.

Prevalence of Jaw Pain With COVID-19

Several studies have found jaw pain to be a frequent complaint among COVID-positive patients:

• A study in Turkey found 16% of hospitalized COVID patients experienced pain in the jaw area.
• A report from China showed that 5.6% of coronavirus patients had symptoms of temporomandibular joint pain.
• An Italian study revealed nearly 31% of people with COVID reported symptoms like jaw ache or discomfort.

This data suggests jaw pain may occur in anywhere from 5-30% of COVID cases depending on severity. The frequency seems to be increasing with emerging variants.

Possible Causes of Jaw Pain With COVID

There are several theories on what may provoke jaw pain during COVID-19 illness:

• Inflammation - The virus triggers widespread inflammation which may affect jaw joints and muscles.
• Muscle pain - Generalized body aches from COVID can involve the chewing muscles.
• Grinding and TMJ - Stress and anxiety from being sick may worsen teeth grinding and jaw joint issues.
• Lymph nodes - Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw can cause localized pain.
• Nerve pain - Viral inflammation can affect the trigeminal nerves supplying the jaw area.
• Sinus congestion - This common COVID symptom may put pressure on the upper jaws.

More research is still needed to better understand the mechanisms behind COVID-related jaw pain.

Characteristics of Jaw Pain From COVID-19

Jaw pain associated with COVID-19 infection tends to demonstrate these features:

• Aching, soreness or tightness in the jaw area
• Pain that feels muscular rather than dental in nature
• Soreness while chewing or opening the mouth wide
• Discomfort focused more in the lower jaw and joints
• May radiate towards the ears or down the neck
• Often described as mild to moderate severity
• Typically appears later in course of illness
• Lasting from a few days up to several weeks

In some cases, pre-existing temporomandibular joint issues or teeth grinding may worsen due to COVID-related stress and anxiety.

Jaw Pain Compared to Other Oral COVID Symptoms

While jaw soreness is emerging as a common oral symptom, COVID more often manifests with these mouth complaints:

• Loss of taste - Changes in taste perception are a classic symptom.
• Dry mouth - Decreased saliva production often accompanies COVID infection.
• Oral ulcers - Sores or blisters on the mouth tissues affect some patients.
• Tongue discoloration - A red, raw tongue can signal dehydration or nutritional deficiencies.

However, jaw soreness appears more prevalent than toothache, which is rarely associated with COVID illness.

Is My Jaw Pain Caused by COVID or Something Else?

Several other conditions can also provoke jaw pain and must be ruled out. Possible alternative causes include:

• Dental issues like toothaches or TMJ
• Injuries from trauma to the face, mouth or jaw
• Muscle tension from stress and anxiety
• Sinus infections or congestion
• Neuralgia related to shingles or nerve damage
• Rheumatologic disorders like arthritis
• Cancer affecting the jawbones, mouth or throat

Diagnostic testing like dental exams and imaging studies may be needed to pinpoint the exact cause of jaw symptoms.

Treating Jaw Pain Related to COVID-19

The following measures may help manage jaw discomfort from COVID:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or NSAIDs to reduce inflammation.
• Warm compresses and gentle massages to relax sore jaw muscles.
• Soft diet avoiding foods requiring much chewing while the jaw is painful.
• Oral hygiene like anti-inflammatory mouth rinses to soothe tissues.
• Reduce teeth grinding by managing stress through healthy coping strategies.
• Oral stretches and exercises to maintain jaw mobility if stiffness develops.
• Topical analgesics like lidocaine patches for localized pain and nerve symptoms.

Addressing anxiety, getting adequate rest, and staying hydrated may also relieve discomfort. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist beyond the acute infection phase.

When to Seek Emergency Jaw Pain Care

Though rare, seek prompt medical attention for jaw pain with any of the following:

• Sudden, severe jaw pain
• Numbness or weakness in the face or mouth
• Difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath
• Suspected broken jaw or dislocation after injury
• Swelling, redness, or pus drainage from the jaw area
• Severely restricted jaw mobility interfering with breathing or eating

These signs may indicate a dental emergency, cellulitis, abscess, or other serious conditions requiring urgent evaluation and treatment.

Preventing Jaw Pain During COVID-19

Proactive measures to help minimize jaw discomfort from COVID-19 include:

• Getting vaccinated and boosted to reduce COVID symptom severity.
• Taking anti-inflammatories and analgesics at the first sign of infection.
• Adopting stress management and relaxation techniques.
• Starting physical therapy early if jaw stiffness or trismus develop.
• Practicing excellent oral hygiene to prevent secondary infections.
• Following isolation protocols to avoid developing COVID-19.

Controlling underlying conditions like TMJ, arthritis and teeth grinding also helps minimize risks.

The Changing Symptoms of COVID-19

The most common COVID-19 symptoms have shifted since the start of the pandemic as new variants emerge. Keeping informed of the current symptom profiles can improve early detection.

Classic COVID-19 Symptoms

The original symptomatic triad reported with COVID-19 infection consisted of:

• Fever - Elevated temperature above 100°F.
• Cough - Usually dry and persistent.
• Shortness of breath - Difficulty getting adequate air.

Loss of smell and taste also became hallmark symptoms indicating coronavirus infection rather than just a common cold.

Emerging Signs and Symptoms

As the virus has evolved, the manifestations of COVID-19 illness have changed. Some emerging symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Body aches and chills
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Skin rashes

Some symptoms like fevers may also be less prominent with new variants. Milder, cold-like complaints are becoming increasingly common.

Most Common Omicron Variant Symptoms

Research indicates the top five symptoms associated with the Omicron variant are:

1. Sore throat
2. Runny nose
3. Stuffy nose
4. Persistent cough
5. Fatigue and tiredness

These reflect a shift towards upper respiratory and generalized complaints compared to earlier COVID strains.

Symptoms in Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated

Interestingly, symptoms may also differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Data shows unvaccinated people are more likely to experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Fever and chills
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Long COVID complications

Those who are vaccinated tend to report more cold-like runny nose, sneezing and sore throat symptoms.

Rare and Atypical COVID Symptoms

Though less common, COVID-19 can also manifest with some other unusual signs:

• Eye redness or conjunctivitis
• Severe abdominal pain
• Confusion, delirium or loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Cutaneous lesions and COVID toes

Paying attention to any new or strange symptoms and getting tested is key, especially with new COVID subvariants on the rise.

Most Significant Symptoms

While the rank order continues changing, experts say these remain the most important COVID-19 symptoms:

• Cough
• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath
• Decreased sense of smell or taste
• Fatigue and body aches

Monitoring your health and undergoing testing remain critical if you develop these key signs of potential COVID-19 infection.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.