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Causes of Jaw Locking and Effective Ways to Prevent It

Published on

Jun 06

2025

About the Author

Table of contents

1. Introduction

2. Causes of jaw locking

3. Effective Ways to Prevent the Causes of Jaw Locking

4. Conclusion

Introduction

Imagine not being able to open or close your mouth properly. If you are experiencing a locked jaw, it can be a challenging experience. Are you experiencing jaw stiffness and pain? Do you find opening your mouth challenging? Then, you are experiencing a locked jaw. It is painful and uncomfortable and cannot be ignored or taken lightly. A locked jaw can contribute to many dental issues, impacting your overall health due to disturbed sleep and undue tension on your jaw muscles. If you are searching for answers on the causes of jaw locking and prevention, you are in the right place. Continue reading the guide to know more!

Causes of Jaw Locking

So, what causes a locked jaw? A locked jaw occurs because of many factors. The reasons for jaw locking are as follows:

TMJ Disorders

The two TMJ joints are on both sides of the head in front of the ears. TMJ connect the lower jaw to the skull’s temporal bone, controlling jaw movements like chewing or talking. A soft disc of cartilage that serves as a hinge connects the bones of the joints, letting the jaw open, move, or close. It is this cartilage that prevents friction by absorbing shocks. If the joints are pressurised or injured, their function is obstructed, leading to restricted jaw movement and other issues like jaw locking while yawning. Treatment for TMD includes physical therapy, a personalised bite splint, or muscle relaxant injections.

Tetanus Infection

Tetanus is a severe bacterial infection that leads to a jaw locking problem. The condition impacts the muscles and the nervous system throughout the body, resulting in tightening and contracting. The infection affects the neck and jaw muscles but can spread to other body parts. A toxin causes the tetanus infection, which makes the body muscles rigid and the jaw muscles contract.

Teeth Grinding

Also known as bruxism, grinding unintentionally makes you grind your teeth, especially at night. The continuous pressure on your jaw and teeth is one of the causes of jaw locking. Many individuals do not even know that they experience bruxism or teeth grinding. They are usually aware of the problem when their family members or friends hear them doing it unintentionally. Some symptoms of bruxism include jaw stiffness and pain, worn-out teeth and headaches. The solutions include mouthguards, sleep therapies, and relaxation techniques.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is an autoimmune condition resulting in joint inflammation. Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs when the body attacks its tissues, resulting in pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. It results in fever, exhaustion, and loss of appetite. In some situations, the autoimmune condition is one of the main reasons for jaw locking, where the jaw becomes excessively stiff and painful to close or open. This occurs because of TMJ inflammation, the joint that connects the skull and the lower jaw.

Stress

Tension, anxiety, or stress are the primary reasons for many health issues. It is also one of the great causes of jaw locking. Any kind of stress, anxiety, or tension can make you unknowingly grind or clench your teeth when you are awake or sleeping. This contributes to pain and stiffness in the jaw area and wear and tear on your teeth, making it challenging for you to eat or speak.

Oral Infections

Any jaw muscles or mouth infection like peritonsillar abscess can impact the jaw movement. In rare cases, you may experience changes in your nerves or muscles. If it really does, you are more likely to experience the jaw locking problem.

Medications

Some medications impact nerve function and result in jaw locking. Anti-nausea medications and anti-psychotic medicines are some of the main reasons for jaw locking.

Effective Ways to Prevent the Causes of Jaw Locking

A locked jaw can be a temporary or a chronic condition. But the pain and discomfort can make one uncomfortable and tired. Are you experiencing the same? Let’s understand the effective ways to prevent jaw locking while yawning:

Practice Good Dental Hygiene

Practicing good dental hygiene is one of the best ways to mitigate a locked jaw. Some of these habits include brushing and flossing the teeth regularly. Book your appointment and visit your orthodontist for regular checkups and cleaning. This helps oral issues such as cavities or gum disease, resulting in teeth grinding or a locked jaw.

Avoid Hard-to-Chew Foods

Foods that are difficult to chew, such as hard candies, nuts, or popcorn, can put pressure on the jaw muscles, contributing muscle tension and discomfort. It is advisable to stick to soft foods that are effortless to chew, including fruits and vegetables, to avoid the jaw locking problem.

Never Do Jaw Exercises

When you face the problem of a locked jaw, never do exercises and stretching. Regular exercise and stretching will increase the stress in your TMJ and strengthen your muscles in the wrong position, worsening the situation.

Make Use of Occlusal Splints

Occlusal splints are dental appliances that help align the jaw properly. If you experience a locked jaw because of grinding or clenching teeth, consult your NM orthodontist and get an occlusal splint. The appliance will realign the jaw and decrease the pain caused by TMD.

Avoid Overusing Jaw Muscles

In some situations, you may face jaw locking due to the overuse of your jaw. Excessive use of jaw muscles is among the core causes of jaw locking. This usually happens during speaking, single side eating, singing, or smiling excessively. Take frequent breaks in between and be careful of how much you are using your jaw for numerous activities.

Improve Your Body Posture

Poor body posture results in stress in the jaw muscles, which causes jaw locking. Working on and improving your body posture is advisable. Ensure you sit and stand straight, with your chin at a parallel angle to the floor and your shoulders back.

Remain Relaxed and Stress-Free

As mentioned, stress is one of the main reasons for jaw locking. Take steps to decrease stress and tension to avoid a locked jaw because of stress, tension, and anxiety, and maintain a calm and peaceful environment. You can practice stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.

Conclusion

Jaw locking can considerably impact your oral health, quality of sleep and overall health. You can learn the causes of jaw locking and symptoms and follow management and prevention strategies to effectively address your locked jaw issue. Following a routine and regular visits to your orthodontist at The Right Bite Sleep and TMJ Pain Care helps you fix the issue for long-term jaw health. Book your appointment with us today to cure the most intricate of your neuromuscular orthodontic problems!

To treat the most complex of TMJ problems, contact us at TMJ India and get your appointment with our TMJ experts today!

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