A sore, stiff jaw after wisdom teeth removal is a common part of recovery. This restricted jaw opening, formally known as trismus, occurs due to the body’s inflammatory response to the surgery. The jaw muscles, particularly the masseter and temporalis, often become inflamed or go into a protective spasm from being held open during the procedure. This temporary soreness can make speaking, eating, and oral hygiene challenging. Managing muscle trauma and inflammation is the direct path to relief.
Immediate Pain and Swelling Management
Controlling post-operative inflammation is the first step toward reducing jaw soreness and should begin immediately. Cold therapy is highly effective in the first 24 to 48 hours, as the lowered temperature constricts blood vessels, limiting the influx of inflammatory substances. Applying an ice pack to the cheek for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off minimizes the swelling that contributes to muscle tightness. After 48 hours, ice is no longer beneficial, and a transition to moist heat is advised.
Warm, moist compresses applied to the face and jaw muscles help relax stiff or spasming muscle fibers. The heat increases local blood flow, aiding in flushing out metabolic byproducts that accumulate in sore muscles. Apply this gentle warming for 15 to 20 minutes every hour to encourage the jaw muscles to loosen and reduce tension. Pharmacological management should also be followed, often involving a rotation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Taking these medications on a scheduled basis, rather than waiting for the pain to peak, maintains consistent pain relief and inflammation control.
Restoring Jaw Mobility Through Gentle Exercise
Once acute pain and swelling subside, typically three to five days post-operation, focus shifts to restoring the full range of motion. This involves specific, gentle exercises designed to stretch the muscles affected by trismus without damaging the surgical sites. The goal is to slowly increase the distance the mouth can open. Mobility can be measured by attempting to insert two or three fingers vertically between the upper and lower front teeth; if the opening is restricted to less than two fingers’ width, exercises are appropriate.
A simple technique is passive stretching: place your thumb on your upper front teeth and a finger on your lower front teeth, gently pushing them apart to increase the stretch. Another effective movement is controlled yawning, where the mouth is opened as wide as comfortably possible, held for a few seconds, and then slowly closed. Performing these stretches multiple times a day, perhaps five repetitions, helps prevent scar tissue formation and encourages strained muscle fibers to lengthen. Lateral jaw movements, where the lower jaw is slowly shifted side to side, also mobilize the chewing muscles.
Dietary Adjustments and Preventing Strain
The foods consumed during recovery directly impact jaw soreness, as excessive chewing can re-inflame the healing muscles. For the first several days, maintain a diet solely of soft, non-chew foods that require minimal jaw movement. Items like yogurt, mashed potatoes, well-blended soups, and scrambled eggs allow for nutritional intake without straining the temporomandibular joint. As comfort improves, semi-soft foods such as soft pasta or fish can be gradually introduced.
It is important to avoid foods that are hard, crunchy, or chewy, as these textures force the jaw muscles to work harder. Small, sticky food particles, such as seeds or nuts, can also become lodged in the extraction sites. Certain habits can exacerbate existing jaw soreness, including unconsciously clenching the teeth, which tightens the masseter muscle. Avoid chewing gum entirely during recovery, as this repetitive movement continually strains the jaw muscles and delays normal function.
Identifying Complications and When to Contact Your Dentist
While some jaw soreness is expected, certain symptoms indicate a complication requiring professional intervention. Pain that worsens significantly after the third or fourth day, especially if it radiates toward the ear or neck, is a warning sign. This increasing pain could signal a dry socket, which occurs when the protective blood clot is lost from the extraction site.
Signs of infection include swelling that increases after the third day or is accompanied by a fever. The presence of pus, a persistent foul taste that warm salt rinses cannot resolve, or severe difficulty swallowing indicate a potential infection. Furthermore, contact your oral surgeon if trismus is so severe that you cannot open your mouth at all, or if limited mobility persists for longer than a week without improvement. These symptoms suggest the healing trajectory is off course.