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Are Dry Mouth And Soreness In The Jaw Associated With Degenerative Disc Disease And Cervical Spondylosis?

Posted on Fri, 4 Aug 2023

Question: I have been diagnosed with moderate degenerative disc disease and cervical spondylosis at c4-5 and c5-6. I experience numbness when I sleep at night. I take cannabis indica for sleep. Before my diagnosis, I had nighttime dry mouth, beginning 5 years ago, well before I began cannabis for sleep.

MY chief issue is dry mouth at night time, it continues to worsen. The right side of my jaw is also sore. Is there a relationship between these mouth/jaw symptoms and the c5/5 issue?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Marijuana use may cause dry mouth

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The jaw is covered by upper cervical nerves (C2, C3), so, this issue is not related to the C5/C6 spondylosis.

Dry mouth causes may be several and marijuana itself may cause or worsen dry mouth.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Erion Spaho, Neurologist, Surgical

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)

thanks for your answer. one more bit of info, in reviewing my MRI report, I note it does say something about this c2 and c3, the report reads, "There is 1-2 mm of anterolisthesis of c2 on c3 and c3 on c4." In reflecting on what you say above that the jaw is covered by upper cervical nerves c2 and c3, might the anterolishesis be a possible cause of my jaw joint pain? thanks again for your time, and though the cannabis is great for relieving my numb are when sleeping, I agree it aggravates my dry mouth condition which is probably due to getting old.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Instability at C2-C3 may justify jaw pain

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Okay, instability at C2-C3 found in the MRI examination may justify jaw pain because there is a possibility that upper cervical nerves are being compressed.

Since cannabis is helping you feel better, I think some mild adverse effects may be accepted.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards.
Dr. Erion Spaho, Neurologist, Surgical

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee