What are the causes of locked jaw syndrome? How can you find relief and prevent it? Get answers to these questions and more in this comprehensive article.

Causes of Locked Jaw Syndrome

Locked jaw syndrome, also known as trismus, can be caused by a variety of factors. Here are 7 common causes:

1. Tetanus (Lockjaw)

Tetanus, often referred to as “lockjaw,” is a serious bacterial infection that can cause severe muscle stiffness, including in the jaw. It is contracted through a cut or deep wound that becomes contaminated with the tetanus bacteria, which are found in soil, dust, and manure. Symptoms typically appear within 3-21 days and can include difficulty swallowing and breathing, as well as full-body muscle spasms.

2. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders

TMJ disorders involve problems with the jaw joint and can lead to a locked or stuck jaw. This is often caused by injury, arthritis, teeth grinding, or stress. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the jaw.

3. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Grinding or clenching the teeth, especially at night, can cause the jaw muscles to become tight and stiff, leading to a locked jaw. This behavior is often linked to stress and anxiety.

4. Trauma or Injury

Physical trauma to the jaw, such as from a blow to the face or a car accident, can damage the joint and cause the jaw to lock up. This can also happen after dental procedures or oral surgery.

5. Infection

Infections in the jaw, mouth, or throat, such as from an abscessed tooth or tonsillitis, can lead to muscle stiffness and a locked jaw.

6. Neurological Conditions

Certain neurological disorders, like Parkinson’s disease or stroke, can affect the muscles and nerves that control the jaw, leading to a locked or stiff jaw.

7. Medications

Some medications, particularly certain antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and antipsychotics, can cause jaw clenching or stiffness as a side effect.

Tips for Relieving a Locked Jaw

If you’re experiencing a locked or stiff jaw, here are some tips that may provide relief:

1. Apply Heat or Cold

Applying a warm compress or cold pack to the jaw can help relax the muscles and reduce pain and swelling.

2. Massage the Jaw

Gently massaging the jaw muscles can help release tension and improve mobility. Use your fingers to apply gentle pressure and circular motions.

3. Practice Jaw Exercises

Doing simple jaw exercises, like opening and closing your mouth slowly, can help stretch and loosen the muscles.

4. Take Anti-inflammatory Medication

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce inflammation and pain in the jaw.

5. Use a Mouth Guard

Wearing a custom-fitted mouth guard or splint at night can prevent teeth grinding and protect the jaw joint.

6. Try Relaxation Techniques

Practicing stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help relax the jaw muscles.

7. Seek Professional Treatment

If home remedies don’t provide relief, it’s best to see a dentist or other healthcare provider, who can diagnose the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment, such as physical therapy or medication.

Preventing Locked Jaw Syndrome

Here are some tips to help prevent a locked jaw:

1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Regularly brushing, flossing, and seeing a dentist for cleanings and checkups can help prevent infections that can lead to a locked jaw.

2. Manage Stress

Finding healthy ways to cope with stress, such as through exercise, relaxation techniques, or counseling, can help prevent teeth grinding and TMJ issues.

3. Wear a Mouth Guard

As mentioned earlier, using a custom-fitted mouth guard or splint can protect the jaw joint and prevent teeth grinding.

4. Avoid Chewing Hard or Crunchy Foods

Stick to softer, easier-to-chew foods to reduce the strain on the jaw muscles.

5. Stay Up-to-Date on Tetanus Vaccinations

Getting the tetanus vaccine and keeping your boosters current can help prevent this serious bacterial infection and lockjaw.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience a locked or stiff jaw, it’s important to seek medical attention, especially if the symptoms are severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, fever, or muscle spasms. Prompt treatment can help prevent serious complications and ensure a full recovery.

Conclusion

A locked jaw can be a painful and concerning condition, but understanding the causes and taking appropriate steps for relief and prevention can help you manage the issue. By being aware of the common causes, trying home remedies, and seeking medical attention when necessary, you can get the support you need to keep your jaw healthy and functioning properly.

Tetanus (lockjaw)

• Tetanus is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF)
• Tétanos – Medline Plus Información de Salud para Usted

What is tetanus?

Tetanus, commonly called lockjaw, is a serious bacterial disease that affects muscles and nerves. It is characterized by muscle stiffness that usually involves the jaw and neck that then progresses to involve other parts of the body. Death can result from severe breathing difficulties or heart abnormalities.

Who gets tetanus?

As a result of widespread immunization, tetanus is now a rare disease in the United States. Tetanus occurs more often in older people and in agricultural workers for who contact with animal manure is more likely and immunization is inadequate. In the United States, neonatal (newborn) tetanus is rare but can occur if mothers are not immunized appropriately against tetanus.

How is tetanus spread?

In unvaccinated individuals, tetanus is contracted through a cut or deep wound which becomes contaminated with the organism. Tetanus has also been associated with clean wounds, surgical procedures, insect bites, dental infections, and intravenous drug use. It is not transmitted from person to person.

Where is the tetanus bacteria found?

The tetanus bacteria are everywhere in the environment and is commonly found in soil, dust and manure.

What are the symptoms of tetanus?

A common first sign of tetanus is muscular stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw). Other symptoms include stiffness of the neck, trouble swallowing, painful muscle stiffness all over the body, spasms, sweating, and fever.

How soon after infection do symptoms occur?

The incubation period is usually 8 days but may range from 3 days to 3 weeks. Shorter incubation periods are associated with more heavily contaminated wounds.

What are the complications associated with tetanus?

Complications include spasm of the vocal cords and/or spasms of the respiratory muscles causing interference with breathing. Other complications include fractures of the spine or long bones from stiff muscles, elevated blood pressure, abnormal heartbeats, coma, clotting in the blood vessels of the lung, and pneumonia. Even with modern intensive care, tetanus is associated with death rates of 10-20%.

What is the treatment for tetanus?

The use of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine and tetanus immune globulin (TIG) or antitoxin in the management of wounds depends on the nature of the wound and the history of immunization. Persons with clean, minor wounds may need to catch-up their tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine. For more severe wounds, persons may need TIG in addition to vaccine.

If the disease develops, supportive care and therapy to control severe spasms are indicated.

Does past infection with tetanus make a person immune?

Recovery from tetanus may not result in immunity. Second attacks can occur and immunization is needed after recovery.

Is there a vaccine for tetanus?

An effective vaccine called tetanus toxoid has been available for many years. It is contained in the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), DT (diphtheria, tetanus), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis), and Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccines. A tetanus booster shot is recommended every 10 years after the completion of a 3-dose series.

In New York State, children born after 1/1/2005 are required to have at least 3 doses of DTaP to attend pre-kindergarten programs and school. Children born on or after 1/1/94 are required to have one dose of Tdap. Tetanus vaccine is highly recommended for all children.

What can be done to prevent the spread of tetanus?

Being fully immunized is the best tool to prevent tetanus.

7 Causes, Tips for Relief, Prevention, and More

A tight jaw can happen for many reasons, such as stress, temporomandibular joint disorders, grinding the teeth at night, and tetanus, also known as lockjaw.

Tetanus is just one cause of stiffness in the jaw, but it can lead to severe complications.

The treatment will depend on the cause.

Often, a massage can relieve tightness in the jaw, but if you think your jaw may be stiff because of tetanus, arthritis, or a traumatic injury, it’s best to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

A tight jaw can cause pain or discomfort in many parts of your body. The intensity of the pain can vary and may be described as achy, throbbing, tender, or severe. These feelings may become worse while chewing or yawning.

The exact location of the pain can also vary. If you have a tight jaw, you may feel discomfort on:

• one or both sides of your face
• jaw
• head
• teeth
• neck
• nose
• mouth
• ears

In addition to pain, other symptoms of a tight jaw may include:

• limited range of motion when you try to open your mouth
• locking of the jaw joint
• clicking sounds

Read on to learn about possible causes of a tight jaw and what you can do to find relief and prevent future tightness.

1. Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD or TMJD)

TMD causes pain in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. It can cause pain or locking in one or both hinge joints (temporomandibular joints). These joints are located between the lower jaw and the temporal bone.

TMD can also cause an aching or throbbing pain and feelings of tenderness in or near the ear, jaw, and face. Chewing food may increase feelings of pain. Chewing may also produce a clicking sound or grinding sensation.

TMD pain is often temporary and may resolve with at-home care.

2. Stress

Feelings of stress and anxiety can sometimes cause you to unintentionally clench your jaw or grind your teeth while you’re asleep. You may also hold your jaw in a clenched position while you’re awake without being aware of it.

These actions can cause feelings of tightness in the jaw and pain during sleeping and waking hours. The pain may be worse when you eat or talk.

Stress can also cause other similar symptoms, such as tension headaches.

3. Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Bruxism (teeth grinding) or clenching may be caused by stress, genetics, or dental problems like misaligned teeth. Bruxism may occur during sleep. It can also occur when you’re awake, although you may not be consciously aware of it.

Bruxism can cause tightness or feelings of soreness in the face, neck, and upper or lower jaw. It can also cause headaches or earaches.

4. Excessive chewing

Chewing gum or any other substance in excess may result in tightness in the lower jaw (mandible).

5. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder. It affects muscles and joints throughout the body.

According to 2015 research, up to 80 percent of people with RA have TMD, which is a cause of tightness in the jaw.

RA may damage the jaw joint and surrounding tissues. It can also cause bone loss in the jaw.

6. Osteoarthritis (OA)

Though rare, it’s possible for osteoarthritis (OA) to occur within the temporomandibular joints. It can cause deterioration and loss of function of the jaw bone, cartilage, and tissue. This can result in a tight, painful jaw. It can also cause radiating pain to the surrounding area.

7. Tetanus

Tetanus (lockjaw) is a potentially fatal bacterial infection. Symptoms include stiffness in the abdomen, trouble swallowing, and painful muscle contractions in the jaw and neck.

The tetanus vaccine (Tdap) prevents this infection and has significantly reduced the incidence of tetanus in the United States.

8. Facial trauma

Sometimes an injury to the face can affect part of the jaw that causes movement. This may result in pain or tightness.

Potential causes of jaw damage include blunt force, such as a striking injury, and even cancer treatments like surgery or radiation.

9. Medications

Some medications may trigger jaw pain symptoms.

These can include:

• antipsychotic drugs
• anesthetics
• metoclopramide (Reglan)

10.

Infections

If you have an infection around your mouth, it can affect jaw movement.

Though uncommon, infections can permanently damage muscles or nerves, which can lead to repeated bouts of lockjaw.

Sometimes a locked jaw will include other specific symptoms.

Jaw popping and locking

You might feel an uncomfortable popping sensation along with a tight jaw. This symptom may be caused by:

• TMD
• teeth grinding
• excessive chewing
• arthritis or other medical conditions

Locked jaw and ear pain

Ear pain is a common symptom associated with a tight jaw. It’s often caused by:

• TMD
• arthritis
• dental problem
• swimmer’s ear
• sinus infection

In some cases, you may be able to relieve tight jaw muscles using targeted exercises and stretches. Here are three you can try:

1. Manual jaw-opening exercise

Repeat small mouth-opening and mouth-closing movements several times as a warmup. Then, place your fingers on the top of your front four bottom teeth.

Slowly pull down until you feel slight discomfort on the tight side of your jaw. Hold for 30 seconds, and then slowly release your jaw back to the starting position.

Start by repeating this stretch 3 times, and work your way up to 12 repetitions.

2. Jaw joint stretch

This exercise helps stretch the muscles of the jaw and neck.

Press the tip of your tongue onto the roof of your mouth, directly behind your top front teeth without touching them. Next, use your tongue to apply gentle pressure. Slowly open your mouth as wide as you can, then slowly close it shut.

Stop at the point when you feel discomfort. Repeat up to 10 times. However, you shouldn’t do this exercise if it causes you any pain.

3. Smile stretch

This stretch helps eliminate stress in the facial muscles, upper and lower jaw, and neck.

Smile the widest smile you can without feeling tightness or pain. While smiling, slowly open your jaw an additional 2 inches. Inhale deeply through your mouth, then exhale while letting go of the smile. Repeat up to 10 times.

You may benefit from wearing a mouthguard, especially if your jaw tightness is caused by clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep. There are several types of mouthguards available.

You may need a specific type based on the cause of your condition. A doctor or dentist should be able to recommend an appropriate mouthguard.

Mouthguard for teeth grinding

If you’re grinding your teeth in your sleep, a dentist may recommend a mouthguard to help reduce contact between your upper and lower teeth. This will help reduce wear and tear on the teeth. It may also help to eliminate jaw tightness and pain.

Mouthguards for bruxism can be made of several materials, ranging from hard acrylic to soft plastics. There are many over-the-counter brands of mouthguards available, although it might be preferable to have one custom made to your mouth.

Custom-made and 3D-printed mouthguards are a more expensive option, but they allow for varying levels of thickness based on the severity of your teeth grinding. They’re also more effective at reducing jaw strain and helping your jaw align naturally than store-bought options.

Talk with a dentist about which type is best for you.

Mouthguard for joint disorders

If you have a joint disorder, such as TMD, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard called a splint. Splints are made of hard or soft acrylic and are usually custom made.

They’re designed to gently hold the mandible in a forward position, jutting toward the front of your mouth. This helps reduce the strain on your jaw bone and surrounding muscles.

Your dentist may recommend you wear the splint 24 hours a day, rather than just at night. Treatment may last from months to years.

Massaging your jaw may help increase blood flow and reduce muscle tightness.

You can try this by opening your mouth and gently rubbing the muscles next to your ears in a circular motion. This is the area where the temporomandibular joints are located. Try this several times a day, including right before bed.

There are also treatments that may provide relief.

Hot or cold compresses

Applying a hot or cold compress to your jaw may help ease pain.

Medications

Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can help lessen jaw discomfort. Sometimes, doctors will also prescribe certain antidepressants or muscle relaxers, depending on the situation.

Injections

Injections of corticosteroids into the joint or Botox into the jaw muscles may help alleviate symptoms associated with a tight jaw.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an alternative remedy that some people find effective at treating jaw problems. It involves inserting tiny needles into strategic pressure points of the body in an attempt to relieve pain.

Surgery

In certain cases, surgery may be an option for people with TMD. Different types of procedures are available to fix a problematic joint in the jaw.

Shortwave diathermy laser treatment

Shortwave diathermy laser treatment uses a high frequency electric current to generate heat in the body. It can help relieve pain and increase blood flow.

It’s a good idea to see a doctor any time you experience jaw pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away on its own. A dentist or an oral medicine specialist can recommend certain therapies to ease your symptoms.

Reducing stress and anxiety may help prevent jaw pain. Stress-relieving techniques to try include:

• deep breathing exercises
• low impact aerobic activity, such as dancing, walking, and swimming
• yoga
• meditation

Avoiding excessive chewing and overuse of your jaw muscles may also help prevent jaw pain. Try eating soft foods that aren’t sticky, and avoid foods that require excessive chewing, such as:

• steak
• taffy
• raw carrots
• nuts

If at-home prevention techniques don’t work, talk with a doctor or dentist to determine how you can find relief for jaw tightness.

A tight, painful jaw can be caused by a range of conditions, including bruxism, TMD, and stress. Some at-home solutions may provide relief or prevent tightness and pain.

These include stress reduction and behavior modifications, such as eating soft food and avoiding chewing gum. Mouthguards or splints may also help.

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome – Medical Center “Lіko-Med”

What is it?

As you know, the lower jaw is connected to the upper, forming the temporomandibular joint, thanks to which we can speak, chew, yawn. Temporomandibular syndrome (TMJ) is a whole symptom complex, the main features of which are soreness of the masticatory muscles, crunching or crackling when chewing, opening the mouth, and limiting the mobility of the lower jaw.

TMJ can be caused by osteoarthritis, bruxism (teeth grinding), malocclusion, and some other factors. Both one and both temporomandibular joints can be affected.

TMJ symptoms range from mild (moderate pain when chewing) to severe, manifested by inability to open the mouth or headache. Sometimes it is not possible to determine the exact cause of TMJ.

Most temporomandibular joint inflammation is mild and resolves on its own within a few weeks with limited stress on the joint, but occasionally TMJ symptoms may recur.

What to expect

TMJ pain can be on one or both sides, worse when chewing. In severe cases, the pain spreads to the muscles of the face, neck, chronic headaches, nocturnal bruxism, difficulty opening or closing the mouth appear. TMJ may also be accompanied by blurred vision, dizziness, or muscle stiffness.

Prevalence

It is believed that TMJ occurs in every fourth person at least once during a lifetime.

Treatment

Treatment may include:

• muscle relaxation exercises,
• joint stress relief,
• warm compresses,
• pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, sen),
• bite correction at the dentist ,
• wearing special night guards to prevent bruxism,
• intra-articular injections.

Occasionally resort to surgery.

What you can do yourself

TMJ often goes away on its own. You can apply warm compresses, ask your doctor to show you specific exercises, and then do them regularly. You should also relieve the joint as much as possible – eat soft foods in small pieces, do not chew gum, do not gnaw on foreign objects (for example, pencils), take stress management courses so as not to strain your jaws.

What makes it worse

Chewing hard foods, malocclusion, stress, lack of sleep.

When to See a Doctor

Consult your doctor if you have trouble chewing, opening your mouth, severe or chronic pain. TMJ can lead to complete immobility of the jaw with the mouth open or closed, requiring urgent medical attention.

What to ask your doctor

Ask your doctor:

1. What are my risk factors for TMJ?

2. What can be done to reduce pain?

3. Are there other more effective treatments?

4. Should I consult a dentist?

5. Is it TMJ or something more serious?

Diagnosis

TMJ diagnosis is made on the basis of complaints, examination of the patient, as well as X-ray, MRI, CT data.

Risk factors

Arthritis, bruxism, malocclusion, fibromyalgia, jaw trauma during traffic accidents, etc.

Jaw joint clicks when mouth is opened

Clicking in the jaw joint – a sign of a malfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). If left unattended, the problem will eventually lead to immobilization and misalignment of the jaw, requiring major surgery. In our Center, the treatment of TMJ pathologies is carried out by experienced specialists using effective non-surgical techniques .

Why does the joint click when the jaw moves? Each consists of an articular head, a fossa of the temporal bone in which the head is located, an intraarticular disc and a ligamentous apparatus. Normally, when all the elements are in their places, the mouth opens silently.

If one of them is displaced or damaged, the work of the joint is disturbed. The first symptom of TMJ dysfunction is the appearance of clicks during jaw movement.

Causes of the pathology

Concomitant symptoms of TMJ dysfunction

TMJ dysfunction – insidious disease

In case of untimely treatment, it progresses and passes into stages that are not amenable to non-surgical treatment. When the first warning signs appear, we recommend that you immediately consult a doctor to diagnose and correct violations.

Levin Dmitry Valerievich

Chief Physician and Founder of the Doctor Levin CSP

What to do with clicks in the jaw, where to go

A gnathologist deals with the treatment of TMJ problems. You can also contact an orthopedist or orthodontist with additional qualifications in practical gnathology.

Gnathology is a branch of dentistry that studies the relationship between the structures of the dentofacial system, their functioning within the normal and pathological limits. The task of the gnatologist is to assess the condition of the teeth, muscles, joints in a complex, restore the correct ratio and coordinated work of the elements of the TMJ.

In some cases, it may be necessary to involve other specialists in the treatment process:

• orthopedist – if the cause of joint dysfunction lies in improperly installed prostheses;
• orthodontist – when the pathology arose against the background of malocclusion;
• neurologist – in case of hypertonicity of masticatory muscles.

Diagnosis of pathology

More than 60 indicators are studied. Main diagnostic methods:

• Digital impressions and computed tomography of the dentition
• Bite examination with facebow and articulator
• TENS diagnostics for masticatory tension
• Manual-functional examination of posture, symmetry of the shoulder girdle, shoulder blades, etc.

How to treat a joint that clicks

Treatment of TMJ pathologies involves a comprehensive approach and is carried out in a strict sequence:

1. Reducing the load on the joint with a special removable lining on the teeth – an occlusal splint (splint)
2. Removal of muscle hypertonicity (if any) using TENS-therapy, botulinum therapy
3. Occlusion correction and, if necessary, prosthetics

In parallel with the main course of treatment, drug therapy is carried out to eliminate degenerative changes:

• Corticosteroid injections to relieve inflammation in the joint
• Muscle relaxants for muscle relaxation
• Analgesics for severe pain

If serious morphological changes in the joint are detected, such as displacement of the intra-articular disc, surgical treatment is indicated.

Methods of treatment

Splint therapy

Splint therapy is a technology that allows you to restore the normal functioning of the TMJ by applying a splint to the dentition – a transparent fixing occlusal splint made of silicone or a non-toxic polymer.

Effect:

• Muscle activity regulation
• Shortened ligament sprain
• Return of the heads of the joint into place
• Fixation of the physiological position of the jaws

TENS Therapy

TENS Therapy is used when the masticatory muscles are highly active. Provides impact on them by low-frequency microcurrents. The procedure is painless, in the Center it is carried out with a non-contact device of the latest generation MIST TENS (Neurotech).

Effect:

• Relaxation of masticatory muscles, removal of hypertonicity
• Restoration of normal neuromuscular trajectory
• Setting a physiologically correct bite
• Normalization of joints

Botulinum therapy

An effective technique for TMJ pathologies that have developed against the background of bruxism, masticatory muscle hypertonicity. Provides injections of muscle relaxants or neuroproteins in areas of increased activity of muscle fibers.

Effect:

• Reduced muscle tone
• Pain relief
• Correct jaw positioning through muscle relaxation

Occlusion Correction

Indicated in the detection of malocclusion that requires correction for normal functioning of the TMJ. Depending on the type and degree of complexity of the defect, braces or aligners can be used to correct the position of the jaws. Orthodontic course is carried out only after the normalization of the state of the joint. The duration of treatment in each case is determined individually.

Restoration of teeth

In case of destruction or absence of some teeth, restoration or prosthetics is mandatory to normalize the occlusal relationship of the jaws. In case of partial destruction, inlays, crowns, veneers are used. Missing teeth are restored with bridges or dental implants.

Doctor’s recommendations

To increase the effectiveness of the treatment course, we additionally recommend that you adhere to the following rules at home:

• Perform myogymnastics to relax the masticatory muscles
• Eliminate foods that are too hard
• Get rid of bad habits (biting nails, pencils)
• Do not support chin with hands
• Fruits and vegetables should not be chewed, but cut into small pieces with a knife

Frequently asked questions from patients

Why does the joint click after implant placement?

After implantation, clicks in the joint of the lower jaw can be observed if there has been a displacement of the intraarticular discs due to improperly installed implants or prosthetic structures to them. Therefore, it is important to contact experienced implantologists who, when installing implants and prostheses, will take into account the smallest features of the bite and the prospect of normal operation of the TMJ.