Parkinson’s disease can cause involuntary movements such as tremors, which usually affect the arms, and can sometimes also affect the legs, jaw, or face.
Medications that treat Parkinson’s disease can also cause a different type of involuntary movement affecting the mouth as a side effect.
Parkinson’s disease affects the control of body movements and can cause involuntary movements. In certain cases, these affect the face and mouth.
In Parkinson’s disease, certain nerve cells in the brain gradually sustain damage. As a result, these cells can’t produce the same amount of dopamine.
This article will explore the involuntary mouth movements that can occur in people with Parkinson’s disease, why they occur, treatment, and more.
People with Parkinson’s disease experience involuntary movement changes throughout the body. These may include:
Taking Parkinson’s medications over a long period may also lead to side effects, including involuntary movements of any part of the body, including the face or mouth. These can affect speech, chewing, and facial expressions and may involve:
- twisting of the neck
- grimacing
- tongue and lip movements
- difficulty with swallowing
Facial tremors
Tremors affecting the face are relatively uncommon in Parkinson’s disease. One study identified facial tremors in
Researchers believe that the risk of lip and jaw tremors increases among people who have had Parkinson’s disease for longer. It may also be more common among females and older individuals.
Parkinson’s disease can also cause stiffness in facial muscles. People with Parkinson’s disease often have reduced facial movements, which come across as quiet and mumbled speaking, minimal smiling, and minimal expression of any emotions – including joy, sadness, fear, or anger. This reduced facial expression is often described as “facial masking” although people with PD are not deliberately trying to hide their feelings
Jaw movements
Similarly, involuntary movements and stiffness can affect the jaw in people with Parkinson’s disease.
People with PD may have jaw tremors, which are mostly present at rest and may cause a tremulous voice. Jaw stiffness can lead to quiet speaking and having to adjust to eating with smaller bites.
Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, many treatments are available to help manage its symptoms.
Levodopa
The most effective medication for Parkinson’s disease is levodopa. This drug may help reduce movement symptoms associated with this condition.
However, levodopa can also cause involuntary movements affecting any part of the body, sometimes involving the the jaw, lips, or tongue. Some individuals taking levodopa for Parkinson’s disease may develop involuntary mouth movements due to their treatment.
Exercise and physical therapy
Certain forms of exercise that may help with movement symptoms
Exercise and physical therapy may help a person manage Parkinson’s symptoms, such as balance and mobility loss, without the side effects associated with other treatments.
Other treatment options
Some individuals with Parkinson’s disease may benefit from deep brain stimulation (DBS), in which surgeons place a pulse-generating device under the skin of the chest or stomach, connected to one or two fine wires that surgeons insert into specific brain areas.
The device delivers high-frequency stimulation that may change electrical signals in the brain that cause Parkinson’s symptoms.
Researchers are also looking into vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a treatment. Similar to DBS, this involves using a device to stimulate certain brain areas in an effort to reduce symptoms. A surgeon can implant this device within the brain. However, noninvasive forms of VNS are also available.
Vibrotactile stimulation devices are another potential treatment for involuntary movements. They deliver vibrations to different muscles in the body. These devices may help reduce tremors and other involuntary movements.
Because no single treatment works best for everyone with Parkinson’s disease, it is best for individuals experiencing involuntary mouth movements to speak with a healthcare professional. They can help design an appropriate treatment plan specific to each person.
Several medications may help manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Options include:
- levodopa
- pramipexole
- ropinirole
- selegiline
- amantadine
Tips when starting new medications
Before beginning a new medication, it is best to speak with a medical professional about proper dosage and timing. Parkinson’s disease medications can also cause side effects that may include:
- nausea
- dizziness
- involuntary movements
- confusion
- sleepiness
When beginning a new medication, keeping a diary and noting any physical changes or side effects can be helpful. If any negative side effects occur, it is best to consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Doctors advise that anyone experiencing new or worsening Parkinson’s disease symptoms contact a healthcare professional.
Muscle stiffness, tremors, changes in walking patterns, and speech changes are all common symptoms. New or worsening mouth movements may also be important for healthcare professionals to know about.
It is also best for individuals who develop side effects from Parkinson’s medications to seek medical advice. Although many side effects are minor, levodopa
Parkinson’s disease can cause involuntary muscle movements that may affect the face and mouth. Movements affecting the mouth can occur in the jaw, tongue, or lips.
Although these movements are less common than other Parkinson’s disease symptoms, they may negatively affect a person’s quality of life if they do occur. Involuntary mouth movements may affect speech, chewing patterns, and facial expressions.
Experts recommend that individuals experiencing new or worsening involuntary mouth movements contact a healthcare professional. Effective treatment may help people with Parkinson’s disease manage these and other symptoms.