Although lockjaw or lockjaw has harmless causes in many cases, you should still get to the bottom of it. If left untreated, it is not only extremely annoying in everyday life, but could also lead to complications. We'll show you what the causes are, how they can be treated and how you can avoid lockjaw in the future!
What is meant by lockjaw and lockjaw?
When you have lockjaw, the movement of your mouth is impaired. If you cannot close your mouth completely, this is known as lockjaw. If you have difficulty opening your mouth completely, you are affected by lockjaw. These conditions are not diseases in their own right, but are always symptoms of another problem. This is why, after making a diagnosis, the doctor will try to get to the bottom of the cause of your lockjaw in order to offer you a suitable treatment option.1
What are the causes of lockjaw and lockjaw?
The causes of lockjaw and lockjaw are surprisingly diverse. They usually have to do with conditions that affect the muscles, the nerves of the jaw or the surrounding tissue of the temporomandibular joint in different ways. Although there are serious causes, such as tumours, it is usually more harmless circumstances that lead to lockjaw or lockjaw. Especially if lockjaw occurs after dental surgery, you should simply wait until the local anaesthetic wears off.
This causes lockjaw
- Genetic malformation of the jaw
- Jaw fracture (splintered bone fragments can restrict the mobility of the jaw)
- Dislocated temporomandibular joint (often caused by intense yawning and less frequently by an injury)
- Tumours
- Arthritis deformans of the temporomandibular joint (osteoarthritis is strongly age-related, very unlikely in young patients)
- Swelling of the oral mucosa (inside of the cheeks) due to abscesses or local anaesthesia2
- Similar swelling due to wisdom tooth surgery
This causes lockjaw
- Inflammation in the jaw area (e.g. due to a transversely growing wisdom tooth).
- Bacterial infections that paralyse the muscles
- Still active local anaesthesia of the lower jaw
- Spasms of the masticatory muscles (can be caused by various serious illnesses such as tetanus,3 epilepsy or meningitis)
- Scarring of the masticatory muscles as a result of surgical or radiological treatment
- Disc displacement in the inner temporomandibular joint
- Mandibular joint arthrosis
- Tumours4
- Fractures in the temporomandibular joint
- Bruxism (unconscious teeth grinding - often at night during deep sleep)5
Can I prevent lockjaw and lockjaw?
If you are regularly affected by this, you should have the position of your jaw joint checked by an orthodontist. You can also prevent the risk of lockjaw or lockjaw by seeing a doctor if your jaw cracks or grinds. These symptoms could indicate osteoarthritis or bruxism (involuntary teeth grinding, e.g. due to mental stress).
If you are already experiencing problems with your jaw joint and are also a side sleeper, you should try sleeping on your back. This will prevent one-sided strain on your jaw.6
What are the complications of lockjaw and lockjaw?
When the cause of lockjaw or lockjaw is correctly diagnosed and treated, there are almost always no complications. In rare cases, lockjaw can lead to serious complications. If the underlying disease spreads, this can lead to painful muscle spasms, difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath. Severe lockjaw can restrict the ability to speak. If the lockjaw occurs due to malocclusion and is not treated, it may recur if the malocclusion was not treated after the first instance. In rare cases where the cause is a tumour, facial nerves can become paralysed, which in turn can affect tear and saliva production.7
What treatment methods are available
Once the cause of your lockjaw or lockjaw has been diagnosed by your GP or orthopaedist, they will discuss the appropriate treatment options with you, which can be just as varied as the causes.
Treatment of lockjaw
Retracting the temporomandibular joint
If your temporomandibular joint head is dislocated, it is brought back into position using the Hippocrates grip. The lower jaw is moved downwards and forwards with medium pressure so that the head of the joint is repositioned.
Operative treatment
If you have been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint arthritis or a jaw fracture or the above-mentioned repositioning has not been successful, surgery is usually the only treatment method.[<[sup>8
Treatment of lockjaw
- Physiotherapy:
The extensibility of your masticatory muscles is specifically trained several times a week. - Medication:
If your lockjaw is caused by inflammation, a prescription for anti-inflammatories is usually enough to relieve you of your lockjaw. - Bite splints:
Can correct malformations of the jaw. - Local anaesthesia of the nerve tracts:
Can relieve cramps in the masticatory muscles. - Operative treatment:
Surgery is used in particular for a fracture of the lower jaw, tumours or a disc displacement in the inner temporomandibular joint.9
What do I need to consider after an operation?
Whether you have been affected by lockjaw or lockjaw, jaw surgery is a surgical procedure that is usually complication-free, but still puts stress on your body. Proper post-operative care is extremely important to ensure a healthy recovery. Please consider the following tips and contact your doctor if you are unsure about aftercare.10
The first few hours after surgery with anaesthesia still active
- The local anaesthetic and the physical stress of the procedure can impair your ability to react. You should therefore avoid driving for several hours.
- No food or hot drinks for several hours. You could injure yourself without realising it.
- If you have received a pressure bandage or an inserted swab, please follow your doctor's instructions to avoid post-operative bleeding as much as possible.
- Apply a cold compress to counteract swelling.
The first 24 hours after surgery
The following measures reduce the risk of post-operative bleeding in the first 24 hours, which in turn inhibits the healing process:
- Avoid alcohol, black tea, coffee or sugary soft drinks
- Avoid smoking for at least one day.
The first few days after the operation
- Do not go to the sauna or steam bath
- Once the anaesthetic has completely worn off (in many cases usually the following day), you should rest your jaw as much as possible and avoid chewing as much as possible.
- Hot food must be avoided at all costs!
Optimal nutrition after jaw surgery with high-calorie nutritional drinks
After jaw surgery, chewing solid food can be painful or even impossible. During this phase, high-calorie drinking nutrition is an ideal solution to provide your body with all the nutrients it needs without straining the jaw. This astronaut food is not only gentle on your jaw, but also easy to consume and can help optimise energy intake without you having to chew solid food. Choose liquid food that is rich in vitamins, minerals and protein to aid the healing process and help the body recover. This can be particularly important in the first few days after surgery, when eating may otherwise be a challenge.
Buy drinkable mealsThe first weeks after the operation
- Avoid physical exertion for 4-6 weeks. If your job requires it, your doctor will give you a certificate of incapacity for work.
- Clean your teeth three times a day and skip the immediate surgical area.
- Avoid heavy chewing (e.g. raw carrots, apples or hard nuts) for 6 weeks.
FAQs
What is a lockjaw?
If you have lockjaw, you cannot close your mouth completely.
What is lockjaw?
A symptom where you can't open your mouth completely. The causes of lockjaw are usually even more varied than those of lockjaw. This means that there are also many therapies that can be used depending on the cause.
How long does a lockjaw last?
This depends on the cause. A lockjaw caused by a temporary anaesthetic or swelling only lasts a few hours. Untreated malocclusion or an untreated tumour, on the other hand, can lead to lockjaw for several years.
How do you get a lockjaw?
If you suffer from lockjaw, either the nerves, the surrounding tissue or the muscles are affected in some way. The most common causes of lockjaw are usually relatively harmless and can be treated without surgery.
What can you do if your jaw is constantly stuck?
If your jaw is constantly jammed, you should always consult your GP, as this indicates a chronic cause, such as a displaced disc, a tumour or osteoarthritis of the jaw joint. If your GP is unsure and there is a need for clarification, they will probably refer you to an orthodontist.
Is a lockjaw dangerous?
In most cases, lockjaw is painful and uncomfortable, but not dangerous. Tension in the chewing muscles, usually due to tension, stress or night-time teeth grinding, can temporarily block the jaw joints. The lockjaw can usually be released independently within a few hours through relaxation exercises, warmth and careful opening and closing movements of the lower jaw.
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Sources
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