5 Home Remedies For Lockjaw

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Lockjaw is a term used to describe the inability to open the mouth wide and fully. The jaw muscles around the temporomandibular joint go into spasms and hence the person suffering from lockjaw finds it difficult to chew, talk and open or close the mouth. The main causes of lockjaw are injury to the jaw caused while playing sports or injury acquired in an accident, teeth grinding, clenching the teeth, oral infections, tumor of the bone at the region of the temporomandibular joint and oral surgery.

Tetanus caused by the bacteria clostridium tetani can also cause lockjaw but nowadays, in most countries, all the children are vaccinated against tetanus and those who have received all the five doses become immune for life. The main symptoms of this condition are pain while chewing, talking or even slightly moving the jaw, pain around the ear, inability to open the mouth completely, spasm of the jaw muscles and a clicking sound is heard whenever the jaw is moved.

Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are rich in various key nutrients and contain large amounts of omega 3 fatty acids which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. These fatty acids not only remove all the harmful free radicals from the body and detoxify it but they also alleviate the pain.

Grind some flaxseeds and store it in an airtight jar. Mix two tablespoons of the meal with a cup of yogurt and consume it once daily.

Ice Treatment

Fill a basin with some chilled water and dip a soft cotton towel into it. Squeeze out the excess water and wrap the towel around your jaw.

Cover the side of your face and take the towel around your jaw to the other side of the face and hold it in place with both your hands. Dip again into the water after some time and repeat the process for ten to fifteen minutes, twice daily. The ice will reduce the pain and swelling instantly.

Stretching Exercises

Do stretching exercises of the jaw to relax the stiff muscles and to increase their mobility. In the beginning, exercise only for a few minutes so as you do not overstrain the muscles. Increase the time gradually to fifteen minutes. Reduce the overuse of the jaw muscles by avoiding hard, sticky and chewy foods including gum. Eat small pieces of soft food.

Ginger

Ginger is well known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which cure all sorts of infections and diseases very easily. Boil a cup of water and add one grated teaspoon of ginger to it.

Simmer the tea for a few seconds then turn off the flame. Strain the tea after ten minutes and sip the hot tea slowly. Drink three to four cups of it daily to get relief from the pain.

Mustard Oil

Warm some mustard oil and massage your jaw with it for ten minutes. Mustard oil is full of magnesium and powerful nutrients which will relax the jaw muscles and prevent them from going into a spasm. Mustard oil will also stimulate the blood circulation which will ease the swelling and pain and make chewing easier.

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