Ace the ADEX Dental Hygiene Exam 2026 – Sparkle Your Smile and Your Career!

Frey's syndrome, also known as gustatory sweating, is a condition characterized by the abnormal sweating of the cheek area during the act of eating. This condition arises when there is a disconnection between the saliva glands and the facial nerves, often resulting from surgical trauma or injury to the parotid gland. When a person with Frey's syndrome eats, they may experience sweating and discomfort in the cheek region, which is reflected in the chosen answer. The sweating is often accompanied by a burning sensation and swelling, making it the primary symptom of this syndrome.

The other symptoms listed in the other options, such as numbness in the mouth or severe jaw pain, do not directly relate to Frey's syndrome. Numbness could be a symptom associated with nerve damage, while jaw pain and difficulty swallowing pertain to different conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint or other aspects of the swallowing mechanism. In contrast, the primary symptom of sweating in the cheek area distinctly ties to the physiological response during eating in individuals with Frey's syndrome.