Difficulty fully closing your mouth after wisdom teeth removal is a normal, temporary part of the healing process. Understanding why this occurs and how to manage it can help ensure a smoother recovery. This article explains the reasons and outlines measures to promote healing and comfort.
Understanding Limited Jaw Movement
Restricted jaw movement after wisdom teeth extraction is primarily due to the body’s natural response to surgical trauma. Swelling (edema) develops in the soft tissues around the surgical sites, causing tightness and difficulty moving your jaw. Swelling typically peaks within 2 to 3 days post-surgery.
Trismus, or “lockjaw,” is another common factor, referring to spasms or tightness in chewing muscles like the masseter and temporalis. The surgical procedure manipulates these muscles, leading to inflammation and stiffness. This muscle involvement can be more pronounced after complex extractions or if the jaw was held open for an extended period.
The body’s inflammatory response to surgery also contributes to discomfort and reduced mobility, causing pain and stiffness. The close proximity of extraction sites to jaw muscles means any irritation or injury during removal can directly impact jaw function.
Strategies for Comfort and Healing
Several strategies can help manage discomfort and promote healing. Applying ice packs to the outside of your cheeks significantly reduces swelling and pain. For the first 24 to 48 hours, apply ice for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. After 48 hours, switch to warm compresses to relax stiff muscles and promote blood flow.
Pain management is also important. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are often recommended, and your dentist may prescribe stronger pain medication. Take these medications with food to prevent stomach upset.
Maintain good oral hygiene gently to avoid disturbing the healing blood clot. Gently brush your teeth, avoiding the surgical site for the first few days. After 24 hours, gentle rinsing with warm salt water several times daily helps keep the area clean and reduces bacteria.
Eat soft foods requiring minimal chewing for the first few days, such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soups, and smoothies. Gradually reintroduce more solid foods as comfort allows, chewing on the opposite side of the extraction site. Avoid hard, crunchy, or seedy foods to prevent irritation or dislodging the blood clot.
When to Contact Your Dentist
While some discomfort and limited jaw movement are expected, certain signs indicate a complication requiring professional attention. These include persistent or worsening pain not improving with medication, or pain suddenly increasing after a few days. Swelling that continues to increase or doesn’t subside after 3 to 4 days also warrants evaluation.
Signs of infection include fever, pus or unusual discharge from the extraction site, a persistent foul odor or taste, or swollen lymph nodes. Contact your dentist for excessive bleeding that continues after applying firm pressure with gauze for an extended period, or continuous bleeding for over 24 hours.
Report numbness that persists beyond the local anesthetic’s expected wear-off time (typically a few hours, up to 24 hours), especially if it’s long-lasting or asymmetrical. Seek immediate dental advice for difficulty swallowing that significantly worsens or interferes with breathing.
Restoring Normal Jaw Function
The timeline for restoring normal jaw function varies, but a general progression is expected. Swelling typically peaks 2 to 3 days post-surgery, then gradually subsides over 5 to 7 days. As swelling decreases, jaw stiffness and limited mouth opening should improve.
Most people experience significant improvement in jaw movement within a week. While some residual stiffness may linger, the ability to open the mouth wider and chew more comfortably should gradually return. Full recovery of jaw mobility can take several weeks as muscles relax and heal.
Patience is important during healing. Gradually reintroduce normal activities and a regular diet as comfort allows. Your dentist may recommend gentle jaw exercises, such as slow, controlled opening and closing movements, once initial healing progresses to regain full range of motion. These exercises, often combined with warm compresses and massage, help loosen stiff jaw muscles.