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Gender difference in jaw pain induced by clenching
O Plesh1, D A Curtis, L J Hall
1Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of California, School of Dentistry, San Francisco 94143-0758, USA.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
|June 4, 1998
Summary
Females exhibit a distinct response to exertional jaw pain compared to males. Female participants showed increased pain and reduced jaw opening 24 hours post-exercise, indicating sex-based differences in pain perception.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pain Medicine
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Jaw pain and its management are significant clinical concerns.
- Understanding sex-based differences in pain perception is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-based differences in response to exertional jaw pain.
- To evaluate pain levels, jaw opening, and pressure pain thresholds post-exercise.
Main Methods:
- Seven healthy males and seven healthy females performed three distinct biting exercises.
- Measurements included overall jaw pain, maximum pain-free jaw opening, and pressure pain threshold/intolerance (PPT/PPI) before and after exercise on two consecutive days.
Main Results:
- Females showed a significant increase in overall pain and a decrease in pain-free jaw opening on the second day post-exercise.
- No significant changes in PPT or PPI were observed in either sex.
Conclusions:
- Females exhibit a delayed and heightened pain response to exertional jaw pain compared to males.
- These findings suggest sex-specific physiological mechanisms influencing pain perception and recovery.