Question 1

what does lock jaw feel like?

Accepted Answer

Muscle spasm : Lock jaw can be an early sign of tetanus. The muscles of mastication go into spasm making it difficult to open your mouth.

Question 2

what are the symptoms of lock jaw?

Accepted Answer

Lockjaw: It depends on the cause. It can be due to tetanus, an infection which can be very serious, or it can be due to a displaced TMJ disc, which can be painful but not serious. In either case, it causes an inability to open the mouth, or what we call a closed lock.

Question 3

what causes lock jaw?

Accepted Answer

Several causes: Lock jaw or the inability to open or close the lower jaw can be related to a number of causes.  An infection, spasm of the muscles that control the opening and closing of the lower jaw, a broken jaw that did not heal correctly, and problems associated with the meniscus or disc in the TMJ are some possible causes.

Question 4

how to fix my lock jaw?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the cause: Lock jaw or the ability to open and close the lower jaw may occur from a number of different causes.  The recommended course of treatment is dependent upon the cause.

Question 5

what to do about lock-jaw?

Accepted Answer

Acutely: If you can not reduce it yourself (meaning place it back into articulation within the fossa) then you should seek  the immediate help of an oral & maxillofacial surgeon or present to an urgent care center or ed to have it manually reduced.  Longer it remains locked open, the more the surrounding musculature will constrict & spasm.  Skeletal muscle relaxants & sedatives often needed before & after.

Question 6

can street drugs cause lock jaw?

Accepted Answer

See below: I am assuming you are referring to true lockjaw caused by tetanus.  The answer is that anything can be infected with the tetanus bacilli and if you inject something contaminated with the tetanus bacillus, then yes, you can develop lockjaw.

Question 7

whats the difference between tmj & lock jaw?

Accepted Answer

TMJ vs Lockjaw: Lockjaw refers to a medical problem where the jaw muscles will not allow jaws to open due to a tetanus infection. However, there are several other causes of a jaw not opening involving the masseter muscle which are related to spasm or trismus. Tmj is the joint of the jaw and there are a number of conditions related to it that block the opening of the jaw too, i.e.  Disc displacement.

Question 8

hi doctors, can you tell me what is lock jaw and what are symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Tetanus: True "lock jaw" is trismus,  a pathological condition in which the mouth is held shut by sustained spasm of the masseter (jaw) muscle, often observed in cases of tetanus
you may also be referring to "closed lock" a TMJ condition where the TMJ disc is locked out of position.

Question 9

can you get lock jaw more than once?

Accepted Answer

?tetanus ?TMJ: Do you really mean lock jaw as in tetanus? Or do you mean your jaw locks as in TMJ (jaw problems)?  It is rare to get tetanus twice unless one is not keeping up with the tetanus shots every ten years and is in an occupation/hobby which exposes one to tetanus.  On the other hand, if one has TMJ problems, the jaw can lock up on multiple occasions.  In this case, see a TMJ physical therapist or doctor.

Question 10

i have painful lock jaw, can anyone help?

Accepted Answer

TMD\TMJ: Take some nsaids if you can-advil, motrin, aleve; apply moist hot towel to outside of face opposite jaw joint; stick on soft diet; no gum chewing; see a dentist as soon as possible (preferably one trained and experienced in tmd diagnosis and treatment).

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What does lock jaw feel like?

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What are the symptoms of lock jaw?

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What causes lock jaw?

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How to fix my lock jaw?

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What to do about lock-jaw?

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Can street drugs cause lock jaw?

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Whats the difference between tmj & lock jaw?

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Hi doctors, can you tell me what is lock jaw and what are symptoms?

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Can you get lock jaw more than once?

A member asked:

I have painful lock jaw, can anyone help?

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