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| Trismus
Trismus means being unable to open the mouth completely. It can be caused by muscle, nerve or joint damage. Trismus is not a disease. It is a symptom of another problem. Trismus can be caused by:
Trismus often develops slowly. For example, it can occur in someone who is receiving radiation. For this reason, it may go unnoticed for some time. Trismus also can develop suddenly. An example would be someone who is in a car accident and has trauma to the jaw. In certain cases, if trismus is left untreated, problems with swallowing, speech and oral hygiene can develop.
Difficulty opening the mouth is the main sign of trismus. Problems with speech and/or swallowing also can occur in severe cases. The severity of trismus depends on its cause. Pain also can be a symptom.
Your dentist or physician will discuss your medical history leading up to the trismus and do a physical examination. Head and neck imaging may be needed to detect the cause. These may include:
How long trismus lasts depends on its cause. For example, trismus from muscle soreness (caused by clenching or grinding the teeth) may disappear in as little as a week. Trismus caused by radiation therapy or trauma will take longer to go away.
The way to prevent trismus is to prevent the cause. This is not always possible. If you clench or grind your teeth, a bite splint may prevent trismus. This is a plastic device that changes the position of your lower jaw so you don't grind or clench your teeth. It's worn while you sleep. People who get radiation therapy to the head and neck can undergo physical therapy for the jaw. This will decrease the risk of trismus. To help prevent trismus, make sure to get treatment for any signs of infection in the jaw. Signs of infection include:
Treatment depends on the cause of the trismus. Tests to diagnose the cause should begin as soon as possible. Otherwise, the condition can get worse. This makes treatment more difficult. Many devices can be used to open the mouth gradually. They vary in cost, function and how well they work. They are not prescribed in every case. Exercises usually are prescribed. They should be done several times a day. They may be required for many months to ensure that the trismus does not get worse or return. In more severe cases, physical therapy and muscle relaxants may be prescribed.
A health care professional should evaluate any episode of trismus, particularly if it is sudden. If you have trouble opening your mouth, contact your doctor or dentist. Specialists in orofacial (mouth and face) pain are specifically trained to diagnose and treat this problem.
The outlook for trismus varies greatly, depending on the cause. Infections and jaw-joint inflammations that are treated early have an excellent prognosis. Delayed treatment can lead to a poor prognosis. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Last updated March 1, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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