A long dental appointment, a difficult extraction or wisdom teeth removal often leaves the jaw sore for a few days. That is expected. Pain, stiffness or clicking that is still there weeks later is not, and it is one of the more common reasons people first come to see us about their jaw.
Why dental work strains the jaw
Holding the mouth open wide for an hour or more asks a lot of the jaw joint and the muscles around it. The joint is pushed toward the end of its range and held there; the muscles that open the jaw are stretched while the ones that close it are working to stabilise; and if the head and neck are angled awkwardly in the chair, the upper neck is loaded at the same time.
Wisdom teeth removal adds to this. The lower wisdom teeth sit close to the joint, extraction can involve considerable force, and swelling afterwards limits movement, which lets the joint and muscles stiffen while they are protected.
Most jaws recover from this within a couple of weeks. Some do not, particularly if there was already some clenching, grinding or neck tension in the background that the procedure tipped over.
What lingering symptoms look like
- Pain in front of the ear or along the jaw that has lasted more than two or three weeks
- Difficulty opening as wide as before, or a jaw that deviates to one side when opening
- A new click, pop or catch that was not there before the procedure
- Headaches at the temples that started around the same time
- Tenderness in the cheek or temple muscles
- A jaw that tires quickly when eating or talking
If the jaw locks and will not open or close, or the pain is severe and worsening, see your dentist or doctor promptly, as that needs to be checked for infection or a joint problem before anything else.
What we do
A first appointment assesses how the jaw is moving compared with how it should, the joint on each side, the chewing muscles and the upper neck, which is often stiff from the same procedure. We ask what was done, how long it took and how the recovery has gone. Treatment is aimed at restoring movement to the joint, releasing the muscles that have tightened around it, and settling the neck, and it usually begins in the same session. We are happy to liaise with the dentist or surgeon who did the work.
Having it assessed in Ballina or Lismore
Jaw stiffness after dental work responds well to early attention, so if it has been more than a few weeks, it is worth having it looked at rather than waiting. You can see our osteopath in Ballina or our osteopath in Lismore; read more on our jaw and orofacial pain page.