Lock Jaw (Trismus) FAQ's at Ask The Dentist in Dental Health Directory

Home	Map	Ask The Dentist	FAQ's	Polls	Procedure Research	Consultants	News	Schools	Directories	Jobs	Library
Click HERE to use Dental Health Search to Find a Dentist or more Dentistry research information

Dentist Finder

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
WashingtonDC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Dental Health Directory Library

FAQ: Lock Jaw (Trismus)

Oral Surgery Resources
Neuromuscular Dentists

Question:
My jaws started locking up 2 weeks ago. They would only stay that way for just a little while. Now for 2 days they are locked up. I can barely open my mouth. I can barely get a tooth brush in my mouth. I have wisdom teeth problems. They are parctially impacted. I know they need to come out.

Here is my problem: I have medical & dental insurance but, I cannot afford to have something done right now. Is there something I can do at home to help me? Michelle in OK

Answer:
It's great that you have medical insurance because you will need to depend on that for help. Find a craniofacial expert who treats TMJ and headaches in your area. It may not be easy to find one, but search and interview the doctors you find.

You most likely have a compressed jaw joint leading to muscular trismus. You need muscle relaxants, physical therapy, and long term treatment. For the time being, have your physician prescribe some Flexeril 10 mg. twice a day. Start your own therapy by doing this:

1. ice for 10 minutes
2. stretch, open mouth as wide as possible
3. massage facial muscles, deeply
4. hot packs for 10 minutes
5. massage again
6. repeat above 5 steps at least 3 times

Find a specialist fast, your problem will only get worse without treatment.

Editorial Staff

Return to Lock Jaw (Trismus) - Part A

Ask a Question

Return to FAQ Index

You also have the option of using Google search technology to conduct a specific search within our databases to find more specific information. Use key words or short phrases:

[Home] [Ask The Dentist] [FAQ's] [Polls] [Consultants] [Directories] [Employment] [Library]
Contact the Editor

Dental Health Directory
Ask The Dentist
Featured in

Dental Pros and Cons

Videos
Pictures Photos
New Products
Bad Teeth Gums Gallery