Trismus. How long does it last?

[UriGeller]

I had my wisdom teeth out 10 days ago. I was told to expect some jaw stiffness but I think I have trismus.

I can open my mouth to about a centimetre and have horrible pain radiating to my ear, lower sinus and eye. Its also painful to swallow

Has anyone had this after dental work (my infinite sympathies!) and should I be concerned I still have it or just let it go by itself? I'm taking paracetamol and ibuprofen which aren't really helping much. Tia.

I had this years ago after root canal treatment.

I think it wore off after a few day (gradually eased off and mouth opened a little more then a little more)

I remember trying to feed myself soup through a tiny gap.

Thanks for responding! Yes I'm eating yoghurt mainly, I know all about trying to stuff food in through a tiny gap. I keep reading about moist heat treatment and ice pack treatment but can't decide whether they mean alternate it or one is better than the other.

I numbed my jaw with a frozen sweetcorn pack last night and finally got some decent sleep for the first time since I had it done!

I'll go back to the dentist on Monday. If he tells me to "open wide" I'll hit him

Trismus is caused by bruising within the muscles usually. Take some anti inflammatory painkillers (ibuprofen) and try to mobilise it. Ibulieve gel can help as well.

Google trismus exercises.

I'm a dentist and this is precisely what I would tell you to do if you came to see me on Monday. Except on Monday I would probably have to charge you £18.50 depending on where you had the tooth out and if you're exempt from charges.

It can last a couple of months, sorry I totally forgot to answer your actual question. It normally gradually improves over three to four weeks but the longest I've been aware of is a couple of months.

Oh mrsmorton thankyou! I never thought of using the ibuleve gel.

My dentist wouldn't charge because its part of an ongoing issue from the extraction but the thought of dragging two toddlers there on a hot day with this pain was aggravating it I think.

I have just started the exercises, gentle pulling down of the jaw and holding it, and also massaging the area in front of my ear, where the pain is dizzying.

Can I ask if you know which would help more, ice or heat?

I think both is fine, heat's supposed to help you mobilise it so whatever you feel works for you. As long as there's no infection (you would know by now) then heat is perfectly fine to hold around that area.

It sucks but I'm sure you won't miss your wisdom tooth, they're total fuckers!

Had to go back to the dentist in the end. I have an infected jaw, feel like my heads been run over but I think the anti-bs are starting to work.

Hi... has your trismus gone now? How are you

@UriGeller what antibiotics were you given

@Mrsmorton iv had it 4 weeks and the more I exercise it it hurts what can I do

@rajievv how long did yours last