We can help with your lock jaw and also help treat issues with your TMJ that caused the lock jaw in the first place.Įven if you are able to wiggle your jaw back into place, consider making an appointment with us if lock jaw is frequently occurring. If you are unable to gently move your jaw back into place on your own, the next step is to schedule an appointment.

This may not be an immediate fix, but foods rich in these nutrients may help with TMJ issues. Consume calcium- and magnesium-rich foods.Psychological stress can lead to jaw clenching, which may only make the lock jaw worse. Drinking water will help keep your jaw muscles loose and encourage a healthy body. Practice stretching the jaw 2-3 days per day to loosen up the jaw muscles.Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory every six hours.The cold will help reduce pain and inflammation. Using a cold compress if you’re experiencing pain.You may need to apply a compress several times a day. Using a warm compress to loosen the tight jaw muscles.It’s important to be gentle when trying to move your jaw back into place to prevent injury. If you experience any pain, stop immediately. Sometimes, a gentle wiggle is enough to pop the disc back into place. Try very gently to wiggle your jaw back and forth and side to side.With your jaw as relaxed as possible, place your palms on each side of your jaw.Once you’ve relaxed, try following these steps: Fear and anxiety can cause additional tension in the neck, which will only make it harder to unlock the jaw.

If your find yourself with a locked jaw, the first and most important thing is not to panic. Most Canadians have been vaccinated to prevent tetanus, so the infection is rare. Why? Because the infection affects the nervous system and muscles in the body, causing them to tighten up and contract. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection, and one of its first symptoms is lockjaw. One big issue with teeth grinding is that it often occurs at night, and patients don’t even realize it’s happening.Īlthough it is rare today, lockjaw can also be caused by tetanus. Teeth clenching and grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common problem that can be caused by dental problems, stress, genetics or misaligned teeth. Swelling in the jaw area can limit its movement, which may lead to lock jaw. Inflammation can also cause lock jaw, particularly if caused by trauma from an accident. Removing the wisdom teeth can help resolve the issue with lock jaw and prevent other complications. The teeth my push on the jaw and keep it from moving properly.If the wisdom teeth are infected, they can cause swelling that limits the jaw’s movement.Sometimes, when wisdom teeth erupt in a poor position, they can cause lock jaw. TMJ disorder and muscle strain are the two most common causes of lock jaw, but the condition can also be caused by: Wisdom Teeth Often, it’s a build-up of several factors over time.

In most cases, patients have no idea why or how their jaw became locked. To make matters worse, the process of trying to reposition the jaw can be very painful. Sometimes, jaw lock can occur without warning, which can be very distressing for patients. Prior to lock jaw, patients may experience:

Jaw locking up