Pain under the chin when swallowing can be an uncomfortable sensation. This discomfort occurs beneath the jawline during swallowing. While often temporary, this pain can signal various underlying conditions, from common infections to inflammatory processes. Understanding its causes helps determine when medical attention is needed.
Understanding the Causes
Several factors can contribute to pain under the chin when swallowing. Infections of the throat and surrounding structures are common culprits. Pharyngitis, or a sore throat, involves inflammation of the throat lining and causes pain that intensifies with swallowing. Similarly, tonsillitis, an infection and inflammation of the tonsils, causes severe throat pain and difficulty swallowing. Both viral and bacterial pathogens can cause these infections.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and under the chin can also result in pain during swallowing. Lymph nodes are small, immune system structures that filter harmful substances and house infection-fighting white blood cells. When the body battles an infection, these nodes can swell and become tender, causing discomfort under the jaw. Conditions like a cold, flu, ear infections, or strep throat commonly trigger this lymphatic response.
Salivary gland issues are another cause. Sialadenitis, an inflammation or infection of a salivary gland, often appears as a painful lump under the chin or in the cheek. It can arise from bacterial or viral infections, leading to tenderness and discoloration. Salivary stones, or sialolithiasis, are calcium deposits that block saliva flow within the glands or ducts. This blockage can cause the gland to swell painfully, especially during eating, as saliva production increases.
Disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can also cause pain under the chin during swallowing. The TMJ connects the lower jaw to the skull, enabling chewing and speaking. When this joint or its surrounding muscles are strained or inflamed, discomfort can radiate to the jaw, neck, and make swallowing painful. Myofascial pain, involving muscle tension in the jaw and neck, is a common TMJ disorder affecting swallowing.
Dental problems, such as a tooth abscess, can also cause referred pain that spreads to the jawbone, neck, or ear, causing difficulty and pain when swallowing. An abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection, often from untreated tooth decay or injury.
Muscle strain or tension in the neck and jaw area, often from clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism), can cause pain when swallowing. The muscles involved in jaw movement are intricately connected to those used for swallowing, so tension in one area can affect the other. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is another cause, where stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation that makes swallowing uncomfortable and may present as a burning sensation. Thyroid inflammation, known as thyroiditis, can cause pain in the front of the neck that sometimes spreads to the jaw and ears, making swallowing painful. Subacute thyroiditis, often following a viral illness, is characterized by a tender, swollen thyroid gland.
Accompanying Symptoms and Red Flags
Pain under the chin when swallowing can be accompanied by various other symptoms, depending on the underlying cause. With throat infections like pharyngitis or tonsillitis, individuals might experience fever, headache, body aches, and swollen glands in the neck. Salivary gland issues (sialadenitis or stones) can cause swelling under the jaw or cheek, tenderness, dry mouth, or a foul taste, often worsening during meals.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders might involve jaw pain, headaches, earaches, clicking or popping sounds, and limited mouth movement. Muscle strain can also lead to jaw stiffness and neck pain. Dental abscesses typically cause intense, throbbing toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold, and facial or jaw swelling. Thyroiditis may present with fatigue, weakness, hoarseness, and symptoms related to thyroid hormone imbalance.
Certain accompanying symptoms are “red flags” indicating a need for immediate medical attention. Difficulty breathing or severely restricted mouth opening are serious signs. High fever with chills, or rapidly worsening symptoms, suggest a progressing infection. Persistent pain that doesn’t improve, unexplained weight loss, or new lumps also prompt evaluation. Signs of spreading infection, such as red streaks or pus draining, warrant urgent care.
What to Expect at the Doctor
When consulting a healthcare professional for pain under the chin when swallowing, diagnosis typically begins with a thorough medical history. The doctor will ask about the pain’s onset, duration, characteristics, and any other accompanying symptoms, including recent illnesses, dental issues, or habits like teeth grinding. A detailed account helps narrow down causes.
A physical examination follows, focusing on the head, neck, and oral cavity. The doctor will palpate the area under the chin, jaw joints, and lymph nodes for tenderness, swelling, or masses. They may also examine your mouth, throat, and tonsils for signs of infection, inflammation, or dental problems. Observing jaw movement and listening for joint sounds provides clues for TMJ disorders.
Depending on initial findings, further diagnostic tests may be recommended. Blood tests can identify infection or inflammation, such as elevated white blood cell count or thyroid dysfunction markers. Imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasound may visualize salivary glands for stones, assess the TMJ, or examine the thyroid gland. A throat swab might also identify bacterial or viral infections.
Treatment approaches are individualized, based on diagnosis. For bacterial infections, antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate bacteria. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, manage pain and reduce swelling. Rest, hydration, and warm compresses are recommended for inflammatory conditions. Salivary gland stones may pass with increased fluid intake and massage, but larger or persistent stones may require removal.
TMJ discomfort benefits from soft diets, stress management, physical therapy, or mouthguards. If a dental abscess is present, drainage and appropriate dental care resolve the infection. Referral to a specialist, such as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, dentist, or endocrinologist, may be necessary for complex or persistent cases.