Are orofacial pain and xerostomia associated with differences in diet, sensory perception, appetite and enjoyment of eating?-An explorative study

BACKGROUND

Orofacial function is believed to influence an individual's diet. knowledge on appetite and enjoyment of eating in orofacially impaired individuals is scarce.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore potential associations between impaired orofacial function, that is, orofacial pain, jaw function limitation and xerostomia, respectively, and diet, appetite, taste perception, as well as the enjoyment of eating.

METHODS

An online questionnaire was shared among Aarhus University's dental patients and through social media. A convenience sample of 351 individuals responded (97 men, 254 women, aged 18-86 years). Participants were divided into groups with and without orofacial pain or xerostomia based on responses. Questions about food intake, appetite, meal-related well-being and oral/general health were included. Data were analysed using Mann Whitney U tests, Spearman's correlation, Chi-square tests, and t-tests.

RESULTS

Participants with (n = 123) and without (n = 228) orofacial pain differed significantly regarding age, perceived oral/general health, frequency of consumption of for example cooked vegetables and raw whole fruit, perception of sourness, chewiness, and nausea/pain when eating (p ≤ .031). Participants with (n = 101) and without (n = 250) xerostomia differed significantly regarding perceived oral/general health, intake of prepared fruit, alcohol, ice cream/mousse/pudding, general appetite, intake of breakfast and liquid snacks, nausea/pain when eating, taste and chewiness of food (p ≤ .038).

CONCLUSION

Diet, appetite, taste and sensory perception, as well as enjoyment of eating of individuals reporting orofacial pain and/or xerostomia differed slightly to that of individuals free of such symptoms. However, due to the explorative nature of this study, the results should be interpreted with caution pending further research on potential long-term effects on nutritional status and well-being.

Involvement of Oxidative Stress and Nutrition in the Anatomy of Orofacial Pain

Pain is a very important problem of our existence, and the attempt to understand it is one the oldest challenges in the history of medicine. In this review, we summarize what has been known about pain, its pathophysiology, and neuronal transmission. We focus on orofacial pain and its classification and features, knowing that is sometimes purely subjective and not well defined. We consider the physiology of orofacial pain, evaluating the findings on the main neurotransmitters; in particular, we describe the roles of glutamate as approximately 30-80% of total peripheric neurons associated with the trigeminal ganglia are glutamatergic. Moreover, we describe the important role of oxidative stress and its association with inflammation in the etiogenesis and modulation of pain in orofacial regions. We also explore the warning and protective function of orofacial pain and the possible action of antioxidant molecules, such as melatonin, and the potential influence of nutrition and diet on its pathophysiology. Hopefully, this will provide a solid background for future studies that would allow better treatment of noxious stimuli and for opening new avenues in the management of pain.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and the Eating Experience

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a chronic disorder that significantly affects oral function. It can affect appetite and the mechanical components involved with eating, including mandibular opening, biting, chewing, and even swallowing. Thus, dietary intake and, subsequently, nutrition status are affected. The functional challenges presented by the disorder affect eating-related quality of life and can affect food choices and diet quality and composition. This article addresses disorder-related factors affecting the eating experience of adults with TMDs and approaches to diet management.

The Importance of Nutrition as a Lifestyle Factor in Chronic Pain Management: A Narrative Review

In everyday clinical practice, healthcare professionals often meet chronic pain patients with a poor nutritional status. A poor nutritional status such as malnutrition, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and a suboptimal dietary intake can play a significant role in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of chronic pain. The relationship between nutrition and chronic pain is complex and may involve many underlying mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and glucose metabolism. As such, pain management requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach that includes nutrition. Nutrition is the top modifiable lifestyle factor for chronic non-communicable diseases including chronic pain. Optimizing one’s dietary intake and behavior needs to be considered in pain management. Thus, this narrative review reports and summarizes the existing evidence regarding (1) the nutrition-related health of people experiencing pain (2) the underlying potential mechanisms that explain the interaction between nutrition and chronic pain, and (3) the role of nutrition screening, assessment and evaluation for people experiencing pain and the scope of nutrition practice in pain management. Future directions in the nutrition and chronic pain field are also discussed.

What should we tell patients with painful temporomandibular disorders about what to eat?

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

Patients with painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) commonly report problems eating, owing to limited mandibular opening and pain and discomfort with biting and chewing. Consequently, painful TMD may affect dietary intake and nutritional status.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of painful TMD is multifaceted and involves pharmacologic, physical, and cognitive behavior and dietary therapies. Painful TMD may influence the quality of dietary intake and eating behaviors. There is a dearth of established guidelines and validated measures that clinicians can use to assess and manage diet and nutritional well-being in patients with this disorder. The authors present recommendations in an effort to guide clinicians on how to help patients with painful TMD improve the quality of their diets and avoid or minimize eating-related pain.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Providing comprehensive care for patients with painful TMD should include diet evaluation and recommendations for eating comfortably and supporting nutrition. An interprofessional approach may help improve treatment outcomes. Research is needed to develop evidence-based guidelines for diet and nutrition that clinicians can use in the care of patients with painful TMD.