Researchers compared two treatments for people with jaw muscle pain who also had low vitamin D levels. One group took a common pain medication (diclofenac) along with a special mouth guard, while the other group took vitamin D supplements with the same mouth guard. After 12 weeks, both treatments worked equally well at reducing pain and improving how wide people could open their mouths. This suggests that vitamin D supplements might be just as helpful as traditional pain medications for this type of jaw pain, offering patients another option for treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether vitamin D supplements work as well as a common pain medication for treating jaw muscle pain in people who don’t have enough vitamin D
  • Who participated: 40 people aged 18-40 years old with jaw muscle pain and low vitamin D levels. Most participants (92.5%) were female, and all had been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder affecting their chewing muscles
  • Key finding: Both vitamin D supplements and the pain medication (diclofenac) reduced pain and improved mouth opening equally well over 12 weeks, suggesting vitamin D may work just as effectively as traditional pain pills
  • What it means for you: If you have jaw pain and low vitamin D, taking vitamin D supplements might help your pain as much as taking pain medication. However, this is a small study, so talk to your doctor before changing your treatment plan

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers randomly divided 40 participants into two equal groups of 20 people each. One group received diclofenac sodium (a common anti-inflammatory pain medication) plus a custom-fitted mouth guard called an occlusal splint. The other group received vitamin D supplements plus the same type of mouth guard.

Researchers measured two main things: how wide participants could open their mouths and their pain levels using a standard pain scale. They took these measurements at the start of the study, then again after 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks of treatment. This allowed them to track changes over time and compare how well each treatment worked.

Both groups also received the mouth guard because jaw pain is often connected to teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which the guard helps prevent. This way, researchers could focus on comparing just the two treatments while keeping other factors the same.

This study design is important because it helps prove whether vitamin D actually causes the improvement in pain, rather than just being associated with it. By randomly assigning people to groups and measuring outcomes at multiple time points, researchers can be more confident that the treatment itself—not other factors—caused the results. The fact that both groups also received a mouth guard is important because it shows that the pain relief came from the specific treatment being tested, not from the guard alone.

This study has several strengths: it was a randomized controlled trial (a high-quality research design), it was approved by an ethics committee, and it was registered in a clinical trial database before starting. However, there are some limitations to consider: the sample size was small (only 40 people), most participants were female (which may not represent everyone), and the study only lasted 12 weeks so we don’t know about long-term effects. Additionally, the study was conducted in Turkey and may not apply equally to all populations.

What the Results Show

Both treatment groups showed similar improvements in pain and mouth opening ability. At the beginning of the study, both groups had comparable pain levels and limited mouth opening. After 12 weeks of treatment, both groups experienced significant reductions in pain and improvements in how wide they could open their mouths.

The changes in pain scores and mouth opening were nearly identical between the two groups, meaning that people taking vitamin D supplements improved just as much as people taking the pain medication. This was a surprising finding because researchers expected the pain medication might work faster or better than vitamin D.

The improvements appeared gradually over the 12-week period, with noticeable changes visible at the 1-week, 4-week, and 12-week checkpoints in both groups. This suggests that both treatments work steadily over time rather than providing immediate relief.

The study also noted that jaw pain is often connected to stress, anxiety, and habits like teeth grinding and jaw clenching (called bruxism). The researchers found that people with low vitamin D levels were more likely to have these jaw problems. This connection between vitamin D deficiency and jaw pain is important because it suggests that vitamin D may play a role in muscle and nerve function related to chewing. The mouth guard used by both groups also helped reduce symptoms, confirming that preventing teeth grinding and jaw clenching is an important part of treating this type of pain.

Previous research has shown that vitamin D deficiency is connected to various types of muscle pain and that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties (meaning it reduces swelling and irritation). This study adds to that knowledge by directly comparing vitamin D to a standard pain medication. While pain medications like diclofenac work quickly to reduce inflammation, vitamin D appears to provide similar long-term benefits. This finding is important because it suggests that addressing the underlying vitamin D deficiency may be just as effective as treating the symptoms with medication.

The study had several important limitations. First, it was small with only 40 participants, mostly women, so results may not apply equally to men or larger populations. Second, the study only lasted 12 weeks, so we don’t know if the benefits continue longer or if one treatment works better over time. Third, researchers didn’t measure actual vitamin D blood levels at the end of the study to confirm that levels improved in the vitamin D group. Fourth, the study didn’t include a group that received neither treatment, so we can’t be sure how much improvement would happen naturally without any treatment. Finally, this was a single study from one location, so more research is needed to confirm these findings.

The Bottom Line

If you have jaw muscle pain and low vitamin D levels, vitamin D supplementation appears to be a reasonable treatment option that may work as well as pain medication. However, this finding is based on one small study, so it’s not definitive. The evidence suggests vitamin D supplementation is worth trying, especially since it may have fewer side effects than pain medications. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement or stopping any medication. A mouth guard to prevent teeth grinding may also be helpful as part of your treatment plan.

This research is most relevant to people aged 18-40 who have jaw muscle pain and have been diagnosed with low vitamin D levels. It may also interest people with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ problems) who want to explore non-medication options. However, this study was mostly conducted in women, so the results may not apply equally to men. People with severe jaw pain, those taking other medications, or those with certain health conditions should consult their doctor before trying vitamin D supplementation as a treatment.

Based on this study, you might expect to see noticeable improvements in pain and jaw function within 1-2 weeks of starting vitamin D supplementation, with continued improvement over 4-12 weeks. However, individual results vary, and some people may see benefits sooner or later than others. It’s important to be patient and give the treatment at least 4 weeks before deciding if it’s working for you.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your jaw pain daily using a simple 0-10 pain scale (where 0 is no pain and 10 is worst pain ever), and measure your maximum mouth opening weekly using a ruler or your fingers. Record these measurements in your app at the same time each day to monitor progress over 4-12 weeks.
  • Set a daily reminder to take your vitamin D supplement at the same time each day (ideally with a meal containing fat for better absorption). Also track habits that worsen jaw pain, such as teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or chewing gum, and work to reduce these behaviors.
  • Create a weekly chart in your app showing pain levels and mouth opening measurements. Review your progress every 2 weeks to see if you’re improving. If you’re not seeing improvement after 4 weeks, discuss with your doctor whether to continue, adjust the dose, or try a different approach. Continue tracking for at least 12 weeks to give the treatment adequate time to work.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. The study involved only 40 participants, mostly women, over a 12-week period, so results may not apply to everyone. Before starting vitamin D supplements or changing any pain treatment, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you take other medications, have kidney or heart problems, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Vitamin D supplements can interact with certain medications and may not be appropriate for everyone. This single study provides interesting findings but is not definitive proof that vitamin D should replace prescribed pain medications. Always work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.