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If you’ve ever woken up to intense pain in your mouth or the inability to open your jaw, you may have lockjaw. The condition causes spasms in the muscles you use for chewing, making it difficult to open your mouth. Other symptoms may include a headache, speech difficulties, earache, and dry mouth. Fortunately, most cases of lockjaw are treatable with the help of a dentist. Here’s some further information about lockjaw and what you can do about it.

What Causes Lockjaw?

Misaligned Teeth

If your teeth aren’t aligned properly, the muscles in your mouth will try to adjust to it because the mouth always wants to generate stability. This causes these muscles to become overworked, increasing your risk of lockjaw. There are several treatment options for misaligned teeth, including braces, porcelain veneers, and removable retainers.

Tetanus Infection

People who have a puncture wound with a contaminated item can develop tetanus and should see a medical professional immediately. Symptoms of tetanus include jaw cramping, fever, difficulty swallowing, headache, and muscle spasms.

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding is a common habit that can put a lot of stress on the teeth and jaw muscles over time. If you grind your teeth frequently, you have a higher chance of developing lockjaw. Your dentist can suggest different ways to stop this habit, such as wearing a mouth guard at night.

How Do You Treat Lockjaw?

dentistIf you have lockjaw, it’s crucial to see your dentist as soon as possible. After determining the cause of lockjaw, they will recommend the appropriate treatment. For example, if a tetanus infection is the cause, you will be given antibiotics to treat it. If lockjaw is the result of a bad bite, your dentist can perform a dental procedure to improve the bite, such as replacing missing teeth or fillings.

It’s also possible to treat lockjaw with Botox®. When injected into the jaw muscles, this treatment can relieve tightness and pain associated with lockjaw. The treatment typically takes between 10 and 30 minutes, and you can resume your normal activities right away.

 

If you’re looking for a dentist with experience treating lockjaw, turn to Dentistry at Houston Lake in Perry, GA. These dental professionals provide general and cosmetic dentistry procedures — including routine cleaning and teeth whitening — at affordable prices and always put their patients’ needs first. They decorate the exam rooms with Hollywood classics like Star Wars and Grease and do their best to make each visit relaxing and pleasant. For more information about their services, call (478) 987-1441 or visit their website.

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