New York TMJ & Orofacial Pain
“Lockjaw” commonly describes an inability to open the jaw all the way, whether it happens first thing in the morning or worsens throughout the day. Though the term historically referred to tetanus, in most cases today it results from muscle spasm, fatigue, or joint (TMJ) problems, not infection, and is treatable with proper care.
We understand what you’re going through. We see patients at our offices all the time who are filled with worry and fear because their jaws won’t open in the morning or they can’t open their jaws all the way during the day.
There are several problems that might be the reason you can’t open your jaw all the way, such as an infection, an erupting wisdom tooth, or another medical issue. But most often, when you can’t open your mouth wide, it’s due to problems in your temporomandibular joints (your TMJs), such as cartilage slippage, ligament instability, inflammation-induced pain, and issues in the muscles of your jaw, neck, and/or shoulders.
It is scary when you can’t open your jaw all the way! And fear can make it even harder to open your mouth all the way.
Because TMJ problems are orthopedic in nature, when you can’t open your mouth wide, your symptoms are the same as when any other joint in your body is in trouble: limited movement and pain. If you’re having difficulty opening your jaw all the way, your TMJs and jaw muscles are likely both compromised. Your symptoms may be moderate, but in severe cases, patients can’t open their mouths wide enough to put even one finger in their mouth.
Another reason you can’t open your mouth wide might be tension in your neck and shoulder muscles. This tension can also adversely influence your jaw muscles and prevent you from opening your mouth all the way. We often solve this problem by treating the neck muscles.
If your jaw won’t open in the morning, it’s likely due to a joint problem, a muscle problem, or both. Your jaw could be stuck because the shock-absorbing discs in your TMJs have slipped out of position or because your jaw muscles are in a state of spasm.
It may take some time for you to find the proper care, so try this simple 5-step method to try to ease the muscle spasms that are keeping you from being able to open your mouth wide in the morning:
If this doesn’t help and your lockjaw continues for a few more days, your problem could result from a stuck disc in one of your jaw joints. An appointment with a specialist is your best next step. (If you live or work in the NYC metro area, call our office at 212-265-0110.)
Some people can open their jaw normally when they wake up, but as the day goes on, their jaw motion becomes more and more limited. If this is you, it may be that your jaw or neck muscles are in a state of fatigue because of poor head posture, your emotions, how you deal with stress, jaw overuse behaviors, or all of the above.
Start paying attention to jaw overuse behaviors, habits, and/or postures that can lead to not being able to open your mouth all the way, and try to avoid or modify them, such as:
If you’ve tried everything and your jaw still won’t open in the morning, or you can’t open your mouth wide during the day, it’s time to see a specialist. An experienced Orofacial Pain specialist will provide the education, support, and guidance you need to help identify, modify, and eliminate the factors causing your jaw not to open all the way.
At New York TMJ & Orofacial Pain, we help people like you get to the bottom of your jaw problems. Our compassionate and thoughtful philosophy of care will calm your nerves and provide the hope you need to start feeling better.
To make an appointment, please contact us.
Today, “lockjaw” is the common term people use for waking up unable to open their jaw all the way, or finding it increasingly hard to open during the day. While the clinical term historically referred to tetanus, that cause is extremely rare in the U.S. thanks to vaccination. Most cases are due to jaw muscle or TMJ problems instead.
The most common causes are problems in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), such as cartilage slippage, ligament instability, or inflammation, combined with fatigue or spasm in the jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles. Less commonly, an infection, an erupting wisdom tooth, or another medical issue may be responsible.
A jaw that’s stuck in the morning is usually caused by a shock-absorbing disc that has slipped out of position in the TMJ, by jaw muscles that are in a state of spasm, or both.
This pattern often points to jaw or neck muscle fatigue brought on by poor head posture, stress, jaw overuse habits (like nail-biting or clenching), or a combination of these factors.
Yes, as a short-term measure. Running a hot shower over the face while gently massaging the temples and jaw muscles for five minutes, resting briefly, then repeating for five more minutes can help ease muscle spasm. If lockjaw persists for more than a few days, a specialist evaluation is recommended.
If home care like moist heat doesn’t resolve the problem within a few days, or if the jaw won’t open in the morning or during the day on an ongoing basis, it’s time to see a board-certified Orofacial Pain specialist. Patients in the NYC metro area can contact New York TMJ & Orofacial Pain directly.
If you’re in the New York City metropolitan area and you’ve been dealing with jaw pain, facial pain, or other TMJ symptoms, you deserve answers, not just temporary relief.
At New York TMJ & Orofacial Pain, we specialize exclusively in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders and orofacial pain. We take time to identify the true cause of your symptoms and build a treatment plan that directly addresses it, including coordinating with your physician when a medical condition may be contributing to your pain.
We have 4 locations: Midtown Manhattan, White Plains, Hauppauge, and Springfield, NJ.
CONTACT US TODAY TO SCHEDULE A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION. →