You normally shouldn’t have any trouble opening and closing your jaw. But under certain circumstances, your jaw might become very stiff and could even lock in place. Needless to say, this can be a very painful and frightening condition – but what exactly causes it to happen in the first place? Your emergency dentist is here to explain what can lead to jaw locking and give you tips for dealing with this alarming problem.
What Causes a Locked Jaw?
Oftentimes, a locked jaw is a symptom of TMJ disorder. The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the joint that keeps the lower jaw attached to the skull. If there’s a problem with the TMJ (such as a slipped disc), it can result in a significant amount of jaw pain, and you can lose your ability to move your jaw properly.
Other risk factors for a locked jaw include stress, teeth grinding, excessive chewing, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, tetanus, facial trauma, certain medications, and oral infections.
What Can You Do About a Locked Jaw?
In the event that your jaw locks in place, try to avoid panicking, as doing so could make your jaw tension even worse. Instead, do everything you can to stay as relaxed as possible. Use your palms to gently wiggle your jaw; if a disc has slipped out of place, you may be able to pop it back into its proper position. You can also use heating pads to relax your jaw muscles. If you are unable to resolve the issue on your own, get to the nearest emergency room.
Once the jaw has been unlocked, you’ll want to take steps to prevent the problem from happening again in the future. If you’re suffering from a TMJ disorder, your dentist may be able to help by:
- Performing occlusal adjustments to help your teeth come together evenly, thus relieving any excessive pressure on your jaw joints.
- Giving you an occlusal splint that can improve the alignment of your jaw and provide protection against teeth grinding.
- Performing trigger point injections, which involves delivering small amounts of local anesthetic into a portion of your jaw muscles that is especially painful or sensitive.
Of course, the kind of TMJ treatment that is best in your case will depend on a number of factors, such as how severe your symptoms are. That said, it’s always best to seek care as soon as possible; if your TMJ disorder is causing your jaw to lock, it’s definitely not a problem you can ignore.
About the Author
Dr. Rashpal Deol holds membership with the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. He is proud to offer occlusal splints, trigger point injections, and other treatment options for patients who are struggling with the pain of a TMJ disorder. If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Deol at Oak Ridge Dental in San Ramon, visit his website or call (925) 735-6190.
