Lockjaw

About the Symptom

Trismus, commonly known as lockjaw, is a painful condition characterized by restricted jaw movement, preventing the mouth from fully opening. Trismus can result in discomfort, as well as difficulties in eating, speaking, and maintaining oral hygiene. It typically manifests when an individual is unable to open their mouth beyond 35 millimeters.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Muscle weakness in the limbs
• Fever
• Peripheral cyanosis
• Recent weight loss
• Difficulty breathing / breathlessness
• Blurring of vision
• Alternating diarrhea and constipation
• Dysphagia
• Headache

Possible Causes

Generally, Lockjaw can be related to:

• Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis (TMJ)

  This degenerative condition affects the jaw (temporomandibular) joint, causing changes and degeneration of bone structure, leading to joint inflammation and pain. The condition is more common in females than males. Risk factors include grinding or clenching teeth, dislocations or fractures, and genetics.

• Dental Caries

  Dental caries occur when the hard outer layer of your tooth, the enamel, gets destroyed, sometimes forming small holes or cavitations. Common causes include eating and drinking sugary foods, frequent snacking, dry mouth and poor oral hygiene.

• Scleroderma

  Scleroderma is a connective tissue disorder that causes the skin to thicken and harden, though it may also affect other organs. It is categorized as localized or widespread (systemic scleroderma). It is a disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body.

• Acute / Chronic Tracheitis / Bronchitis
• Acute Tonsillitis / Pharyngitis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Ear Infection

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Lockjaw may be related to these serious diseases:

• Tetanus

  A life-threatening infection caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani. The bacteria releases toxins that affect the nervous system and cause muscles in the body to contract and "lock up". The bacteria are everywhere in the environment and enter the body through open wounds. Risk factors include being immunosuppressed, not being vaccinated against tetanus (or not keeping up with booster shots), and having open wounds or cuts.

• Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess
• Mumps

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Is it hard for you to fully open your mouth?
• Have you had difficulty fully opening your mouth before?
• How long have you had difficulty opening your mouth?
• How has your mouth opening limitation changed over time?
• How badly are you affected by the difficulty in mouth opening?

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