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Thread: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

  1. #1
    Elephant
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    Default Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    Occasionally, if I am eating something particularly savory or acidic, the muscles in the back of my jaw will - well - sort of cringe. Kind of like a little spasm. Why does that happen?
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  2. #2
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    I don't have an answer for you, but I can tell you the same thing happens to me. For some reason, strawberries have a tendency to do it to me, in addition to citrus fruits. Hopefully someone will come along soon with an actual answer, instead of simply commiseration.

  3. #3
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    I always thought it was the salivary glands "flexing", or going into overdrive to try to wash the acid out of your mouth.

    The worst is when it happens when you're just thinking about eating one of those foods.

  4. #4
    Member
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    Quote Originally posted by Santo Rugger
    I always thought it was the salivary glands "flexing", or going into overdrive to try to wash the acid out of your mouth.

    The worst is when it happens when you're just thinking about eating one of those foods.
    No kidding. I've got a bag of tangelos, and I wince, just thinking about that first bite into a slice. I know there will be a major painful salivary squirt. (But tangelos have so much flavour, I can't resist them!)

  5. #5
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    Looking around I found this.

    I think I found the topic for my paper in physiology. Thanks!
    Something witty and just obscure enough to make you think I'm cool.

  6. #6
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    Happens to me, too. It's not necessariliy sour foods, either. I've never quite been able to make whether there's a connection between the type of food and the reaction, but I can tell if it's going to happen before I even bite into it. And it's just that first bite, as if there was some pressure that needed to be released from the area right behind my molars/wisdom teeth.

  7. #7
    Elephant
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    Right. Sometimes it's as if a food is going to taste TOO good.
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  8. #8
    Go Phillies !! Cartooniverse's avatar
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    Similar reaction here. I didn't know a food could taste too good. It's not so much the jaw muscles for me as the area around the salivary glands. Agreed- it is the body's way of trying to get the acid out of the mouth and down the throat where it can really burn!
    If you want to kiss the sky, you'd better learn how to kneel.

  9. #9
    Elephant Wheresgeorge04's avatar
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    Happens to me with some cheeses, specifically sharper cheddars. I have to sort of squint with the first bite, my muscles tense, and the salivary glands activate. Sounds bad, but the cheese is oh so good...

    Joe

  10. #10
    Oliphaunt featherlou's avatar
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    Kiwis do this to me. I love the taste of them, but I kind of have to prepare myself mentally to eat them.

  11. #11
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    I get a painful salivary reaction from any food if it's been a while I havn't eaten. I joke it's why I need to eat regularly, but, it's really painful! I have to brace myself each time.

  12. #12
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: Why do certain flavors make my jaw spasm?

    I really hoped someone was going to come in here with a definitive answer to this...but I'll settle for knowing that I'm not a complete freak.

    And I vow to do some research on this the next time I eat one of my 'trigger foods'.

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