You’re going about your day as normal when you suddenly yawn and your jaw locks up. This would catch anyone off guard, but if you have TMJ disorder or have suffered an injury, it could be the reason behind your jaw stiffness. Continue reading to learn what can cause it and when to see your dentist.
Why Does Your Jaw Become Stiff or Locked?
Jaw locking or stiffness doesn’t happen for no reason. An abnormality or injury is often to blame. For a deeper explanation, here are a few reasons you may be experiencing jaw problems:
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD): When jaw joints and nearby muscles are overworked, injured, or stressed, they can cause pain and stiffness. A misaligned bite can also cause TMD. You may find it hard to move your jaw in any direction.
- Injury: You’ll notice limited jaw mobility if you suffer facial trauma. No matter the cause, you may develop joint tightness and discomfort.
- Teeth Grinding: Teeth grinding, or bruxism, puts a lot of pressure and tension on your jaw joints. Often caused by stress, it can manifest in the TMJs while you sleep. This leads to headaches, earaches, and pain throughout the jaw, neck, and face.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): When inflammation affects your bodily joints and muscles, you can expect your jaw to be included. As a result, RA can cause significant damage to your TMJs and lead to bone loss if left untreated.
Are There Ways to Treat Jaw Stiffness at Home?
Naturally, calling your dentist is most important, but in the meantime, try to gently move it back and forth with your hands. When this happens, the disc in your jaw pops out, so slow motions can help put it back in place.
If this doesn’t work, try relaxing the muscles with a heating pad. This may help the disc reposition itself so you can move your jaw freely.
But what if at-home remedies don’t work?
When Should You See Your Dentist About Your Locked Jaw/Stiffness?
Don’t wait to tell your dentist about jaw problems. Getting help sooner rather than later yields the best results.
Your dentist’s assessment will show how to treat your jaw most effectively. This might include TMJ treatment with an occlusal splint, equilibration, or BOTOX® injections. They may also suggest stress-relief techniques to prevent further tension, eating soft foods, or wearing a mouthguard while playing sports.
Professional treatment is available for locked jaw and stiffness. All you need to do is contact your dentist and ask about your options. They’ll personalize your plan so that you enjoy greater long-term mobility.
About the Practice
Patients of all ages are welcome at Williamsburg Dental. Our dentists are well-equipped and fully committed to each patient’s well-being, offering services that produce life-changing results. Dr. Shelby Rose has advanced training with the American Academy of Esthetics to administer BOTOX, so if you are dealing with jaw stiffness, she and our team will build a plan to help improve its mobility. Want to learn more about TMJ treatment? Visit our website to schedule a consultation.