It cramps the cheekbones and jaw. Causes and treatment, what to do

Causes of jaw clenching during trismus

• inflammation of the masticatory muscles;
• inflammation of the gums;
• caries;
• abscess;
• inflammation of the periosteum of the lower jaw;
• jaw injuries (cracks, fractures, dislocations);
• dousing with cold water;
• animal or insect bites.

Trismus can also be a consequence of the following diseases:

• osteomyelitis of the jaw;
• periostitis;
• neurosis;
• epilepsy;
• meningitis;
• hysteria;
• arthrosis of the jaw joint;
• cancerous tumors;
• convulsions;
• rabies;
• tetany;
• paralysis;
• tetanus;
• pulpitis in the acute stage, etc.

Symptoms of neuralgia of the submandibular and sublingual nodes

The first manifestations of the disease will be paroxysmal pain (paroxysms) on the side of the inflamed ganglia. The duration of a painful attack varies from several minutes to an hour. The pain syndrome is characterized by intensity and pulsation in the area of ​​localization of the affected ganglia. A distinctive feature of most vegetative ganglionitis of the face and head is a tendency to expand pain. The stronger and more advanced the inflammatory process, the more extensive areas are affected by pain during paroxysm.

Attacks begin from the inflamed node in the area of ​​the root of the tongue and tonsils, then the pain spreads and occupies increasingly larger areas - over the entire half of the head, neck, collarbone, shoulder and arm. The occurrence of pain can be triggered by tension in the facial muscles and thermal effects, that is, during a conversation or eating hot, spicy food.

Neuralgia of the submandibular and sublingual nodes is divided into two stages:

• The initial ganglioneuralgic phase of neuralgia of the sublingual and submandibular ganglia: characterized by the paroxysmal pain described above, may be accompanied by swelling, increased sensitivity of the tongue and mucous membranes of the oral cavity. The pain may migrate to various areas of the head and upper torso.
• The ganglioneuritic phase of ganglion neuralgia is already a transition to a chronic form. At this stage of the development of the disease, dull pain in the affected side is constantly present, disturbances in salivation, trophic ulcers appear, possible decrease in sensitivity and signs of autonomic neurological Bernard-Horner syndrome.

In some cases, during a severe painful attack, patients experience such manifestations of the disease as chills, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, gastrointestinal spasms, nausea, vomiting, feelings of anxiety and fear. The chronic form of the disease is the most dangerous, fraught with peripheral circulatory disorders, spasms and autonomic changes in nerve endings in the submandibular and sublingual area, as well as in nearby areas.

The main stages of trismus

• third - a person can open his mouth 10 mm, the most difficult stage;
• second - the patient can open his mouth 10-20 mm;
• first - the patient opens his mouth 30-40 mm, respectively.

In all cases, a person should immediately consult a doctor. You may need treatment in a hospital setting. In the process of clenching the jaw, there is a high probability of damage to the gums and chipped teeth. If help is not provided in time, oxygen starvation may occur.

Dental diagnosis of trismus involves:

• visual examination of the patient;
• to unclench the jaw, the dentist injects a drug that relaxes the muscles;
• To make the diagnosis more comfortable for the doctor and patient, an anesthetic drug is also administered;
• In addition to the dentist, you may need to consult a neurologist, surgeon, or traumatologist.

Loaf, loaf

Quite often, cheekbones cramp when yawning if you “overdid it” and opened your mouth too wide. Sometimes the jaw cramps in sleep when the muscles involuntarily contract. There are times when the jaw muscles cramp in completely unexpected situations.

Imagine a magnificent wedding in Slavic traditions. There are hundreds of guests, the tables are laden with dishes, the bride is dressed in a snow-white dress with a flowing veil. Everyone prepared for the event for a long time, thought through all the stages of the celebration, and the toastmaster is actively holding competitions. And one of the main characters - the loaf - is brought out for everyone to see.

According to an ancient custom, the bride and groom each take a bite from the loaf, and the one who grabs the largest piece becomes the head of the family. In our age of emancipation, a woman does not want to yield to a man in anything. The newly-made wife opens her mouth wide to defeat her husband, and suddenly realizes with horror that her jaw is cramped... The action quickly moves to the nearest emergency room. There the bride is given a relaxing massage, and the pain goes away. At this time, the toastmaster masterfully entertains the guests, acting out a scenario for stealing the bride. The story has a happy ending, but friends and relatives will never let the couple forget this story.

How to properly treat trismus of the masticatory muscle?

Treatment of the problem involves:

• immobilization of the jaw by applying a bandage or splint;
• eliminating the underlying cause of trismus (disease or specific condition);
• taking neuropsychic stimulants and sedatives;
• a course of taking muscle relaxants;
• a course of antibiotics (for inflammatory processes);
• physiotherapy;
• peace and release from physical work.

If the patient’s condition is severe, observation in a hospital is necessary under the supervision of a maxillofacial surgeon, neurologist, traumatologist, etc.

After eliminating acute symptoms, a person is recommended a special diet:

• plenty of fluid;
• chopped food;
• vegetables and fruits;
• natural juices.

If it is impossible to eat normally, food is supplied through a tube, and liquid is supplied through the skin.

To restore the functions of the masticatory muscle, the patient is recommended to perform special therapeutic and preventive exercises.

It is important to completely cure trismus, and not just suppress its symptoms. If the cause is not removed, the problem will reoccur. Spasms put a powerful strain on the teeth, gums, and nervous system. It is very important to contact an experienced dentist with a surgical profile, who will help cure the disease and tell you what to do in emergency situations. The 32 Dent network of clinics in Moscow employs specialists who will provide such comprehensive assistance for trismus of the masticatory muscle and other serious problems.

If you have a problem similar to that described in this article, be sure to contact our specialists. Don't diagnose yourself!

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What does traditional medicine offer?

When pain becomes a consequence of hyperesthesia, traditional medicine also comes to the rescue. But we must remember that the thoughtless use of such recipes is fraught with even more serious complications, and, moreover, without examination by a specialist, it is most often impossible to establish the cause and eliminate it. Therefore, the use of the above-described decoctions and infusions in practice is allowed only after their approval by the attending physician.

Decoctions of oak and sage bark

Oak bark helps quickly relieve pain and has disinfectant properties. A decoction from it is prepared in a water bath - there is no point in pouring boiling water over it and insisting, since the beneficial components can only be removed by slow heating. Before use, the product must be filtered and cooled. The resulting solution is used to rinse the mouth.

Gargling with a decoction of oak bark will help in treatment

Sage also has pronounced antiseptic properties. Just pour boiling water over a pinch of herb and let it brew. After this, the product should be filtered and used for rinsing. The decoction perfectly relieves discomfort and provides disinfection of oral tissues.

Products containing chamomile, baking soda and salt

Pharmaceutical chamomile is often recommended for inflammation of the gums. A pinch of dried flowers should be brewed in a glass of boiled water, left for a little while and then strained. Room temperature product is used for rinsing as needed.

Soda-saline solution is also widely popular as an effective remedy for relieving acute inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. It is used for diseases of the gums and periodontal tissues, to relieve symptoms of periostitis and other purulent-inflammatory processes. To prepare the solution, just mix a teaspoon of salt and soda in a glass of warm water. The finished product is used for rinsing the mouth.

Chamomile decoction helps relieve symptoms

How long does it take to cure trismus?

Typically, full muscle recovery can take one to three weeks, depending on the cause of the trismus. More time will be needed for fractures of the jaw, which must heal properly and subsequently develop.

To prevent trismus of the masticatory muscle, you must:

• do not cause diseases of teeth and gums;
• get vaccinated against rabies and tetanus (rabies and, as a result, lockjaw can be fatal);
• In case of blows or damage to the jaw, seek emergency help from dentistry;
• avoid stressful situations, nervous tension;
• when engaging in contact sports, wear special helmets and mouthguards for protection;
• undergo regular preventive examinations with a trusted dentist. These are the doctors who work in the 32 Dent network of clinics, where you will be happy to see you at any time. Contact us!

Prevention measures

If, due to genetics, you are not prone to problems with enamel, you can try to prevent other causes. Experts in this regard recommend maintaining hygiene, monitoring oral health, and regularly visiting the dentist for preventive care. It would also be a good idea to review your diet and diversify it with foods high in vitamin A: eggs, carrots, liver, dried fruits and fresh apricots.

Calcium and fluoride are important microelements for the health of hard tissues of the oral cavity. The first is found in high concentrations in hard cheeses, fish, dairy products, cabbage, and leafy greens. Fluoride is found in seafood, seaweed and nuts. But you will have to give up carbonated sweet drinks - they have an extremely negative effect on the condition and density of the enamel. It is also worth limiting the consumption of too acidic fruits and juices, sweets and simple carbohydrates.

To strengthen your teeth, you should eat foods rich in calcium and fluoride.

When teeth come together with a certain frequency, especially for no apparent reason, it is better not to ignore the symptom, but to immediately consult a dentist for advice. The phenomenon may be pathological in nature and indicate certain dental problems, diseases of the soft tissues of the oral cavity, or even disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and systems. The sooner you seek qualified help, the easier and faster it will be possible to stop the pathological process.

1. Fadneva O.V. Clinical manifestations of increased sensitivity of hard dental tissues, 2001.

Recommendations

If this phenomenon occurs against a background of elevated temperature, you should urgently go to the surgeon. This may be an exacerbation, complicated by internal suppuration. The only correct action is surgery.

If the pain is sharp and boring, you will need to be examined by a neurologist. Apparently the trigeminal nerve is affected.

For malocclusions that cause bruxism, the patient will receive real help if the dentist installs splints and dentures. This way you can stop the progression of the disease and prevent it from developing even stronger in the future.

And finally, if the pain is constant, not too sharp and aching, there is a high risk of cancer. It is extremely important to stop its progression in time and begin emergency treatment.

Thus, the main advice is the help of professionals. And the sooner the better.