Exercise Makes My Teeth Hurt (Sometimes)

December 12, 2007 7:48 PM

Jogging or biking makes my back teeth ache (throbbing nerves!) when I first start exercising after maybe a month off (and also, I get violent itches deep in my leg muscle tissue.) Why? Yes, it goes away once I'm back in shape.
posted by Shane to health & fitness (5 comments total)

I've noticed similar feelings from cycling after a few months' hiatus. I have a few crackpot theories about what and why this is, but I haven't been able to find any support for any of them.
posted by ikkyu2 at 11:07 PM on December 12, 2007

The itch was briefly discussed before. No great answers, but you're not the only one.
posted by barnone at 1:39 AM on December 13, 2007

May or may not be related - several high profile footballers have had teeth removed to help improve long standing problems with their hamstrings related to posture. This isn't much help, but there is a connection there. All I could find online was this.
posted by fire&wings at 3:41 AM on December 13, 2007

I get similar pains - my lower teeth "clench" beneath the gum. It's way uncomfortable, but usually subsides when I take my asthma meds, which led me to believe they're connected. Maybe a hint? A red herring?
posted by prophetsearcher at 4:03 AM on December 13, 2007

Thanks, folks.

I wonder if the itch is related to tearing muscle fiber in the process of exercising (which is a major component of exercise, of course: breaking down muscle fiber so it overcompensates to the stress and rebuilds stronger than it was before.) That would explain why the itching stops once my muscles are back in shape to handle the (mainly cardiovascular) exercise, and after that the stress is mostly on my lungs and heart.

But usually the "itchy feeling" that accompanies torn muscles or even a broken bone occurs afterwards during the healing process... it seems bizarre that I itch while exercising.

fire&wings, thanks. That makes sense in a strange way and might be the answer to the toothache question. Tendons are all linked together throughout the body. I'm particularly stiff when I go back to exercising after time off. I could potentially see stress from my stiff hamstrings traveling up to my jaws.

For some reason, though, the toothache feeling smacks of oxygen-debt to me too. It just feels that way. prophetsearcher, that might fit with your asthma meds relieving your symptoms.

Anyway, thanks for the speculation, all.
posted by Shane at 9:25 AM on December 14, 2007