Pain occurring specifically under the chin when swallowing is clinically known as odynophagia, pointing toward an issue in the submental or submandibular regions. This area, located beneath the jawline, contains structures like lymph nodes, major salivary glands, and muscles involved in the complex act of swallowing. While the symptom can be a temporary response to a common illness, its location suggests the cause is often linked to one of these nearby structures. Pinpointing the source requires considering both infectious processes and mechanical function issues.
Swollen Glands and Throat Infections
The most frequent cause of pain under the chin is the swelling of lymph nodes, known as lymphadenopathy, which is the body’s natural response to infection. Lymph nodes function as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria, and foreign particles. The submandibular and submental lymph nodes, located beneath the jaw and chin, drain the surrounding tissues of the mouth and throat.
When a person has an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold, strep throat, tonsillitis, or mononucleosis, these lymph nodes become active and enlarge. The swelling makes the nodes tender, and the mechanical action of swallowing presses against these inflamed structures, causing localized pain. This discomfort can be referred pain radiating from the infected throat or a direct result of pressure from the swollen nodes.
Bacterial infections like strep throat may cause intense pain, fever, and visibly red, swollen tonsils with white patches of pus. Viral infections such as mononucleosis can cause more widespread lymph node swelling throughout the neck and body. Swelling associated with a common infection typically subsides within a week or two as the body fights off the pathogen.
Problems with Salivary Glands
Another source of pain under the chin affects the submandibular salivary gland, one of the three major glands responsible for producing saliva. This gland is situated below the jawline and can be affected by inflammation or obstruction. Inflammation or infection of the gland itself is called sialadenitis, which causes a tender lump under the chin.
Sialadenitis often involves a bacterial infection, sometimes resulting from a blockage in the salivary duct. The pain is typically localized, and pressing on the area may cause pus to drain into the mouth. A more specific issue is sialolithiasis, where tiny stones form and block the flow of saliva through the duct.
Pain caused by sialolithiasis is characterized by a sharp, sudden increase in discomfort that is worse during or just before a meal. This happens because eating stimulates saliva production, but the blocked duct prevents free flow, causing the gland to swell painfully. The submandibular gland is the most common site for these stones.
Dental and Jaw-Related Pain Sources
Infections originating from the oral cavity can project pain into the submental region, particularly during swallowing. A severe dental abscess, which is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection, especially on a lower molar, can spread to the jawbone and surrounding tissues. This infection causes localized swelling and tenderness under the jaw or in the neck, which is aggravated by the movement of swallowing.
The pain from a dental abscess is often described as a constant, throbbing ache that may radiate to the ear or neck. If the infection spreads significantly into the floor of the mouth and under the chin, it can lead to Ludwig’s angina. This is a serious form of cellulitis that makes swallowing and breathing extremely difficult.
Issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can also contribute to pain felt during swallowing. The muscles involved in chewing and jaw movement are also engaged during swallowing. Dysfunction or tension in the TMJ complex causes muscle soreness that is exacerbated by the movement of the jaw and neck, resulting in perceived pain under the chin when swallowing.
Warning Signs and Seeking Professional Help
While most causes of pain under the chin when swallowing are temporary, certain accompanying symptoms signal the need for immediate medical attention. Difficulty breathing or inability to swallow liquids, known as dysphagia, indicates that swelling may be dangerously compromising the airway. Other red flags include drooling, a high fever, or rapid, severe swelling of the face or neck.
If the pain persists for more than seven to ten days without improvement, or if the swollen lump feels hard and fixed rather than soft and movable, a primary care physician or an otolaryngologist (ENT) should be consulted. These professionals can perform a physical examination and may order imaging, such as a CT scan, to accurately diagnose the source of the pain. Seeking timely help is important to rule out less common but more serious conditions, such as deeper neck infections or certain types of tumors.