

However, many cases become chronic and interfere with activities of daily living if not treated. Some cases of jaw spasms clear up spontaneously. Difficulty or inability to open your mouth completely.Pain, stiffness, and discomfort: This may be in one or both sides of your jaw and/or face.If you're experiencing jaw spasms, they can likely be described by the following details. Other names for jaw spasm are jaw dystonia and oromandibular dystonia, which literally mean "incorrect muscle tone in the mouth and jaw." Any jaw pain or difficulty with the joint may be called temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ or TMJD. The general term "lockjaw" is sometimes used for trismus, though in most cases lockjaw refers only to the bacterial illness called tetanus. Jaw spasm is also known as trismus, which means you are unable to completely open your mouth. There are many conditions that can cause this damage and make your jaw muscles lock up, and it can sometimes take a little detective work on the part of your medical provider to pin down the exact cause.

The basic explanation is that there has been damage to, or interference with, your facial nerves or muscles. It happens when some of the muscles in your jaw tighten up and don't want to relax. A jaw spasm can be a painful and distressing symptom to experience.
