The tetanus vaccine Tdap prevents against this infection and has reduced the incidence of tetanus significantly in the United States. In some cases, you may be able to relieve tight jaw muscles using targeted exercises and stretches. Here are three you can try:. Repeat small mouth-opening and mouth-closing movements several times as a warm up. Then, place your fingers on the top of your front four bottom teeth. Slowly pull down until you feel slight discomfort on the tight side of your jaw.
Hold for 30 seconds, and then slowly release your jaw back to the staring position. Press the tip of your tongue onto the roof of your mouth, directly behind your top front teeth without touching them. Next, use your tongue to apply gentle pressure.
Slowly open your mouth as wide as you can, then slowly close it shut. Stop at the point where you feel discomfort. Repeat up to 10 times. Smile the widest smile you can without feeling tightness or pain. While smiling, slowly open your jaw an additional 2 inches. Inhale deeply through your mouth, then exhale while letting go of the smile. You may benefit from wearing a mouth guard, especially if your jaw tightness is caused by clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep. There are several types of mouth guards available.
You may need a specific type based on the cause of your condition. You doctor or dentist should be able to recommend an appropriate mouth guard. This will help reduce wear and tear on the teeth. It may also help to eliminate jaw tightness and pain. Mouth guards for bruxism can be made of several materials, ranging from hard acrylic to soft plastics.
There are many over-the-counter brands of mouth guards available, although it might be preferable to have one custom made to your mouth.
Custom-made mouth guards are a more expensive option, but they allow for varying levels of thickness based upon the severity of your teeth grinding. If you have a joint disorder, such as TMD, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard called a splint. Splints are made of hard or soft acrylic, and are usually custom made.
This helps reduce the strain on your jaw bone and surrounding muscles. Your dentist may recommend you wear the splint 24 hours a day rather than just at night. Treatment may last from months to years. Massaging your jaw may help increase blood flow and reduce muscle tightness. You can try this by opening your mouth and gently rubbing the muscles next to your ears in a circular motion.
This is the area where the temporomandibular joints are located. Try this several times a day, including right before bed.
Contact us today to schedule! Online Book Appointment. Call Us 08 Welcome to the Tandara Dental Centre Magazine. Why do I clench my jaw? Other signs of stress include: — Clenching of the fist — Tension in the shoulder and neck muscles. Rheumatoid arthritis RA RA is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder which affects muscles and joints throughout the body, this includes inflammation of the temporomandibular joint TMJ.
Other symptoms of RA include: — Joint pain, inflammation and stiffness — Jaw tightness — Bumps under the skin of joints — Fever 5. Tetanus Tetanus is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that produces toxins which cause painful muscle contractions in the abdomen, neck and jaw and trouble swallowing. How do I stop clenching my jaw? Exercises to relax the jaw and facial muscles Jaw joint stretches and facial exercises can help relieve tightness in the jaw and increase range of motion.
Consider wearing a nightguard or bite splint A bite splint or night guard is a form of mouthguard which is designed to prevent discomfort or damage sustained from teeth grinding or jaw clenching by protecting your teeth in your sleep.
Give yourself a massage Massaging the jaw can help increase blood flow and reduce muscle tightness. Change up your diet To reduce jaw tightness and muscle soreness, try eating softer foods. About The Author. More about Dr Saurabh Rai. Leave a Comment Cancel reply You must be logged in to post a comment.
Related Articles. What to do about your bad breath? Publised on May 27, View Details. Mild bruxism may not require treatment. However, in some people, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems. Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care. See your dentist or doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above or have other concerns about your teeth or jaw.
If you notice that your child is grinding his or her teeth — or has other signs or symptoms of bruxism — be sure to mention it at your child's next dental appointment. Doctors don't completely understand what causes bruxism, but it may be due to a combination of physical, psychological and genetic factors. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
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