Limited jaw opening after wisdom teeth removal is common. This temporary stiffness, called trismus, is a normal part of healing. Understanding this process helps manage anxieties and promotes a smoother recovery.
What Causes Limited Jaw Opening
Difficulty opening the jaw after wisdom teeth extraction stems from trauma to surrounding tissues. The muscles involved in chewing and jaw movement can become sore, inflamed, and go into spasm. This muscle contraction restricts the jaw’s ability to open fully.
Swelling in the surgical area also contributes to limited jaw movement. If a wisdom tooth was impacted, extraction might involve removing bone, increasing trauma. Anesthesia injection can also cause temporary tissue damage, leading to delayed onset of limited jaw opening.
Expected Recovery Timeline
Most individuals experience some jaw stiffness for a few days after wisdom teeth extraction. Swelling and discomfort often peak around the third or fourth day post-surgery. During this initial phase, mouth opening will likely be noticeably restricted.
Gradual improvement in jaw mobility typically begins after the first few days. Most people can resume normal activities within three to five days, but full return to pre-surgery jaw function can take one to two weeks. In complex cases, such as deeply impacted teeth, it might take up to two or three weeks for muscles to heal and jaw movement to normalize.
Gentle Exercises and Self-Care
To encourage jaw mobility, gentle exercises and self-care practices are important. For the first two to three days, apply ice packs to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling. After this, switch to warm compresses, like a damp washcloth, to help relax jaw muscles.
Gentle jaw exercises can begin once initial soreness subsides. Slowly opening and closing your mouth, moving your jaw side to side, and performing neck stretches can improve flexibility. Lightly massaging jaw muscles in a circular motion, from in front of the ear down to the chin, can also alleviate tension. Avoid forcing the jaw open and listen to your body, as overexertion can hinder healing.
Maintaining a soft food diet in initial days is recommended, gradually introducing more solid foods as comfort allows. Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medications can help manage discomfort and reduce inflammation, supporting improved jaw movement. Avoiding straws is also advised, as the sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot, potentially delaying healing.
When to Seek Professional Advice
While some jaw stiffness is expected, certain symptoms warrant contacting your dentist or oral surgeon. If severe pain persists or worsens after a few days, or if swelling increases after the third day, it could indicate an infection or a dry socket. A high fever, pus draining from the extraction site, or unusual odors or tastes are also signs of a possible infection requiring immediate attention.
Difficulty swallowing or breathing, or persistent numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, or chin beyond the expected recovery period, should prompt a call to your oral health professional. These symptoms, although less common, could signal more serious complications requiring prompt evaluation and treatment.