Trismus, or lockjaw, is a painful condition in which the jaws do not open fully. As well as pain, trismus can lead to problems with eating, speaking, and oral hygiene as a person cannot open their mouth wide.
Trismus occurs when a person is unable to open their mouth more than
Most cases of trismus are temporary, typically lasting for less than
In this article, we explore the causes and symptoms of trismus. We also look at the current treatment options for this condition.
There are many possible causes of trismus, including the following:
Trauma
Injury or damage to the jaw can lead to trismus. Examples of such trauma include fractured jawbones or tissue damage following dental surgery.
Others include:
- contusion of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- hematoma, which is a collection of blood outside of blood vessels
- injury to the muscles of mastication, which people use when chewing
Inflammation
Some medical conditions that cause inflammation in the mouth may cause trismus. One example is pericoronitis, which is inflammation of the soft tissue around a tooth, potentially leading to an impacted molar.
Others include:
- arthritis in the jawbones
- scleroderma, which is an autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue
- soft tissue fibrosis, which occurs when excess fibrous connective tissue forms
Dental surgery
Oral surgery, including wisdom tooth extraction, may cause inflammation in the mouth, which can lead to trismus.
Hyperextension, which is having to open the mouth wider than its usual range of motion, during surgery may also lead to lockjaw.
Infection
Infections can contribute to trismus in some cases.
Types of infections that may do this include:
- mumps
- tetanus
- tonsillitis
- peritonsillar abscess
- other types of abscess
Cancer or cancer treatment
Cancerous tumors in the head or throat can affect the function of the jaw.
Radiation treatment for these tumors can also cause trismus.
According to a
This number increased to 86.7% after surgery and 85.7% after radiotherapy.
While anyone can develop trismus, some factors may
These include:
- having head or neck cancer
- undergoing radiation treatment for head or neck cancer
- recent oral surgery to remove a wisdom tooth
- recent trauma to the mouth or jaw
- having certain types of mouth infection
The defining symptom of trismus is the jaw not opening fully or opening to
Other symptoms include:
- jaw pain and cramping
- difficulty biting, chewing, or brushing the teeth
- inability to swallow some foods
- headaches
- earache
Typically, treating the underlying condition should resolve many cases of trismus.
Generally, the earlier a person seeks treatment, the better the outcome.
Treatment options include:
Medication
It may be necessary to take medication to
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, a doctor may prescribe oral medications or drugs that require injection into the jaw.
Some forms of NSAIDs are also available over the counter.
Jaw-stretching devices
A doctor or physical therapist may recommend the use of a jaw-stretching device.
In a 2014 study, people who used such a device when performing specific mouth exercises had an average increase in mouth opening of
Dietary changes
Individuals may need to make dietary changes until the condition improves.
For most people, moving to a soft foods diet is helpful because it is possible to eat these foods without opening the mouth too much.
Examples of soft foods include:
- soup
- smoothies
- yogurt
- mashed potatoes
- oatmeal
- beans
- steamed vegetables
- stewed fruits
- cheese
- fish
- scrambled eggs
Until trismus resolves, it may be beneficial to avoid foods that are hard, crunchy, or chewy, such as candy bars, uncooked apples, and tough meats.
A doctor will carry out a physical examination and take a person’s medical history to diagnose trismus.
They may ask about recent injuries or dental work and look for signs of cancer or abnormalities in the bones or tissues of the jaw.
A doctor may use one or more of the following tests to help them diagnose or rule out trismus:
- a measurement of the mouth opening
- a CT scan
- an MRI scan
Trismus may cause a variety of complications that can affect a person’s quality of life, including:
Oral hygiene problems
If a person cannot open their mouth fully, this makes maintaining oral hygiene more difficult.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to:
- bad breath (halitosis)
- dental caries (cavities)
- infection
Trismus may also make it challenging for those wearing dentures to insert the dentures or remove them for cleaning.
Difficulty eating
If people cannot bite, chew, or swallow properly, there is a
Temporarily moving to a predominantly liquid and soft foods diet may help reduce these risks.
Many of the infectious and traumatic causes of trismus may also have associated complications. For example, an odontogenic infection that causes trismus may lead to further infection with facial cellulitis or mandibular osteomyelitis.
Infection
If an infection is the cause of trismus, there may be associated complications, such as cellulitis.
Cellulitis is skin inflammation that is often due to infection. The symptoms include:
- edema, or swelling
- reddening of the skin
- warmth emanating from the infection site
- pain
Trismus is a painful condition involving a reduction in the size of the mouth opening between the jaws.
Most cases are temporary, and medications, physical therapy, and other treatments can often effectively alleviate trismus and reduce or prevent complications. Early treatment typically provides the best outcomes.
Individuals who have concerns about trismus or their risk of developing it should speak to their doctor or dentist.