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Jaw stiffness is a common term used to refer to the stiffness and pain surrounding the jaw muscles. In most cases this is due to a problem with the temporal joint, the main joint of the jaw. It sounds scary, but this is a common problem and you can cure it yourself. However, keep in mind that stiff jaw is also a symptom of tetanus, a very dangerous disease. This is much more rare than temporomandibular arthritis, but if you have stiffness with fever, chills, sweating, and spasm in other muscles, seek emergency care immediately. If the symptoms are only pain and stiffness, the problem is probably the temporomandibular arthritis. If this is the case, there are some home remedies you can try and will feel better.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Relieve pain and stiffness
If you have temporomandibular arthritis that causes jaw stiffness, you may feel very uncomfortable. The most common symptoms are pain and stiffness in the jaw, accompanied by headache and fatigue. Dentists often recommend using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain until the inflammation is gone, but there are also some natural remedies to help you cope. Try the following tips to relieve pain and discomfort when you have a stiff jaw.
Massage to relax your jaw joints and jaw muscles. This step can help reduce the pain and stiffness felt when suffering from arthritis.
- Massage therapy can be helpful if you feel your jaw is squeezed or you can't open your mouth wide.
Numb the pain with a cold compress. If you have jaw pain, then cold therapy can help relieve the pain. Apply an ice pack or cold pack to the face near the jaw joint for 10 minutes. Apply it several times a day as needed.
Relax your jaw with a hot wet compress. Try applying a hot wet compress to your face for 5-10 minutes. This can reduce pain and increase jaw flexibility.
- There are no certain rules about whether to use a cold compress or a hot compress to treat a stiff jaw. In general, do what you feel most comfortable with.
Call your doctor if the "locked" jaw is in an open or closed state. Completely locked jaw when opened or closed can be a serious case. Don't panic, but you must act quickly. Call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room for action.- Your doctor may need to manipulate your jaw with your hand to "unlock". This may sound intimidating, but you will be given anesthesia so that no pain is felt during the procedure.
- Symptoms associated with jaw stiffness, such as fever, sweating, increased blood pressure, and heart palpitations are all symptoms of tetanus. Seek urgent medical attention quickly.
Method 2 of 3: Relax your jaw
Jaw stiffness puts a lot of pressure on the muscles and joints of the jaw. Relaxation of jaw muscles is an effective way to treat stiffness in the jaw and prevent jaw problems from occurring. This requires you to be mindful of your daily life. You can try the following tips to avoid stressing your jaw with stiffness.
Eat soft foods so you don't put pressure on your jaw. Hard or crunchy foods like crackers or hard fruit require a lot of work from your jaw and make pain worse. Eat soft foods like yogurt, pudding, rice, eggs, fish or mashed potatoes to prevent further inflammation.
- You can also steam or grill the fruits and vegetables softly to make them easier to eat.
Eat a small bite to avoid stretching your jaw. It can be difficult to control before a good meal, but large chunks of food can cause the jaw muscles to stretch excessively. Eat small pieces or cut food into small pieces to avoid further pain.
Don't open your mouth too loudly while eating, talking or yawning. Sometimes we get excited, but jaw relaxation is important when you have a stiffness in your jaw. Avoid opening your mouth so wide that it is uncomfortable, or you may get worse inflammation.
Do not let your teeth bite, except when eating. Avoid biting your teeth unless you are chewing. Let the teeth separate slightly to relieve pressure on the jaw muscles.
- Sometimes you accidentally press your teeth together without realizing it. If you find yourself doing so, remind yourself to separate your teeth.
- Try placing your tongue over the lower teeth to force the right teeth to separate.
Do not chew gum. Chewing movements force your jaw to work too hard and can make pain worse. It is best not to chew gum.
Avoid clenching your teeth or squeezing your jaw. You may not even realize you're doing it, but it's the main cause of jaw pain. If you often clench or knock your teeth together, try to break this habit.
- If you are unable to stop grinding your teeth, you can wear a tooth guard to keep your jaws smooth. Visit your dentist for a protective dental trough.
Reduce stress to help ease symptoms. This seems irrelevant, but stress can actually cause jaw pain. Try taking stress-reducing measures in your daily life to prevent stress.
- Some relaxing activities like meditation or yoga can help reduce stress. Try setting aside time for one of these activities each day to relax.
- Doing things you enjoy is also a way to reduce stress.
Wear bruxers at night if you have teeth grinding while sleeping. Nighttime grinding is a problem many people experience, especially under stress. This is often difficult to control due to sleep, so you can use a plastic brittle tray that you can wear over your teeth to protect your jaw.
- Your dentist may find you grind your teeth through abrasions in your teeth. They will let you know if there are signs of grinding your teeth and will suggest you wear a protective tray.
Exercise your jaw to help strengthen your jaw muscles. Several stretching and strength exercises can help relieve pain and inflammation in the jaw. Ask your dentist about exercises that might help you and practice according to the instructions.
- Your dentist may also recommend physical therapy or massage therapy for pain relief.
Method 3 of 3: Alternative pain relief methods
There are a number of alternative therapies that can help relieve temporal joint pain. Although not proven by scientific research, many people find these therapies to be effective, and they also do not cause harm, so you can try them to see if they work.
Acupuncture for stress relief. An acupuncturist can help relieve chronic pain such as temporal joint stiffness by acting on acupuncture points to reduce stress. This therapy is not guaranteed to be effective, but you can try it.
- Be sure to find a licensed and experienced acupuncturist to ensure the right treatment is available.
Try a glucosamine supplement. Glucosamine is the drug of choice in the treatment of arthritis because it enhances joint health, including temporal joints.You can try taking 1 pill a day to see if it works.
- The usual dose of glucosamine for arthritis is 1.5 g per day, but follow specific product label instructions.
- Glucosamine can interact with anticoagulants and some other medications, so consult your doctor before use.
Take calcium and magnesium supplements to strengthen joints. Although there is no clear link between calcium, magnesium, and temporomandibular joints, some people with temporal joint problems are deficient in these minerals. If you don't get enough calcium and magnesium in your diet, try taking a supplement to boost these two minerals.
Supplement with vitamin C. Vitamin C is actually beneficial for cartilage in the body, so it may also be effective in treating temporomandibular joints. There are no studies to back this effect, but taking vitamin C supplements may help.
- Food sources of vitamin C include: citrus fruits, bell peppers, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, berries, and watermelon.
Important medical information
The stiffness of the jaw can be worrisome, but most are not serious. This is usually caused by temporal arthritis, which is an inflamed joint in the jaw. It sounds scary, but this is a problem many people face, and you can cure yourself at home. Note that, while rare, jaw stiffness can be a symptom of tetanus, so seek immediate medical attention if you have a fever. If not, home remedies for pain and inflammation will be of great help. If you still do not feel better, see your dentist for other treatment options.
