BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Muscles of mastication, involved with the pathophysiology of the masticatory myofascial pain, also participate in the swallowing function. Given the controversial results about the relationship between temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and swallowing abnormalities, this study aimed at checking the presence of swallowing function abnormalities in females with masticatory myofascial pain. METHOD: Three swallowing tests (one solid and two liquid) were performed in 30 females with myofascial pain (study group = SG) and 30 healthy females (control group = CG). Changes in swallowing patterns, such as periorbicular muscles contraction, chin contraction, head movements, swallowing followed by noise, choking, lower lip interposition, pain after swallowing and swallowing with anterior projection of the tongue were observed during the three tests. Results were described and compared between groups by Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests with significance level of 0.05 and confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: SG participants had a higher chance of atypias during one liquid swallowing test [Chi-square test; p < 0.05; OR: 3.29; CI 95% (1.08 - 9.95)]. However, there has been no association between TMD and atypical swallowing features evaluated in all tests. CONCLUSION: Inadequate swallowing was associated to masticatory myofascial pain only during liquid ingestion. However, it was not possible to associate a specific atypia to TMD in this sample.
Speech therapy; Swallowing; Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome
