Jaw stiffness can be caused by TMJ, tetanus, jaw trauma, or impacted wisdom teeth. Treatment varies depending on the cause, but in most cases, symptoms can be relieved or eliminated. Tetanus has no known cure, but symptoms can be managed with antitoxins. Surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth is often the best treatment.
Some of the more common causes of a stiff jaw include temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), tetanus, and jaw trauma. Impacted wisdom teeth can also occasionally cause jaw stiffness if the impact is severe enough to impact the roots. A person experiencing jaw stiffness will most likely need to see a doctor or dentist, whichever you suspect is causing the problem. After a diagnosis has been made, treatment can begin. The common causes of this symptom are almost all treatable, and in most cases, the stiffness of the jaw gradually decreases after treatment begins.
TMJ is one of the most common problems that can lead to jaw stiffness. People who have this condition suffer from jaw joint problems, which could result from excessive teeth grinding or chewing gum. Sometimes, tooth misalignment can also lead to TMJ. The constant strain on the joint can make it difficult for a person to open and close their mouth at times. Treatment for this problem varies, depending on what caused it, and in most cases, TMJ symptoms can be relieved or eliminated so that stiffness and other problems are minimal or non-existent.
Tetanus, which is a disease caused by bacteria, usually causes jaw stiffness. Most people first experience this symptom when they have a tetanus infection, and in most cases, other symptoms, such as a stiff neck, sweating, and fever, occur early on. Many people have been vaccinated against tetanus, but those who haven’t are at risk of contracting the virus, especially if they cut themselves on something rusty-coated metal. There is no known cure, but symptoms can often be managed with the use of antitoxins.
A person who has suffered some type of jaw trauma may not be surprised to experience a stiff jaw. When a jaw injury has occurred, particularly if the injury has involved the joints, it can be difficult to open and close your mouth for a few days. Jaw injuries can also lead to swelling, which could make it difficult to open your mouth. When injuries cause stiffness, the discomfort may gradually lessen as the injury heals. Sometimes, jaw injuries lead to continued stiffness problems, even after the healing process is complete.
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that is unable to break through the surface of the gums. Sometimes, wisdom teeth grow at awkward angles under the gums and this could put pressure on the muscles around the jaw and on the jaw joints. Impactions can often lead to jaw stiffness if the problem is severe enough to affect the jaw muscles or joints. The best treatment, in most cases, is surgical removal of the tooth.
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