Most major medical carriers and Medicare will cover the Therabite System for most people who have had radiation treatment. Therabite Corporation employs qualified individuals who are familiar with all areas of the insurance procedure and can handle the assignment of a wide range of policies.
What is TheraBite device?
Trismus can be treated with wooden spatulas that gently stretch the jaw muscles. Each day, the spatulas are put between the front teeth in the mouth for a period of time. By gradually increasing the number of spatulas, the jaw muscles are stretched.
Another approach to gently stretch the jaw muscles is with the Therabite gadget. It is a mouthpiece that is operated by hand and placed within the mouth.
People in this study utilized the Therabite gadget or wooden spatulas before starting radiation and during treatment. The researchers reasoned that starting the exercises before radiotherapy would be advantageous.
The goal of this experiment was to see how Therabite compared to wooden spatulas in order to determine which:
How do you stop Trismus?
Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you should follow these guidelines to avoid issues. Follow the steps outlined in the following sections. Before you begin, check with your healthcare practitioner to see if it’s safe.
To ensure that you hold the stretches for long enough, use a timer or a clock. Remember to breathe normally and don’t hold your breath. Stop immediately and contact your healthcare practitioner if you have discomfort, numbness, or tingling.
Massage your jaw muscles
On your cheekbone, place your index (pointer) and middle fingers. Run your fingers down the length of your masseter muscle, which terminates at the bottom of your jaw (see Figure 3). Find regions that are painful or tight as you move your fingers. For 30 seconds, massage these areas in a circular manner with your fingertips. Do this two to three times every day.
When you’re worried or out of habit, try not to clench your jaw. This will aid in the relaxation of your jaw muscles.
How do I set up TheraBite?
- If your opening is 9-15mm, start with the device without the pads. Apply one pad to the top or bottom mouthpiece after you’ve reached 12mm.
- If your opening is 6-9mm, don’t use pads and start your therapy with only the left or right side of the mouthpieces.
- Use the hand slide on the TheraBite instrument if you have severe arthritis in your hands.
- Rotate the hand slide until it wraps over the upper and lower handles, then place the hand aid over the top of the handle at the back.
- Hold the TheraBite device with one hand at the rear by the knob to use it with the hand assist.
- Then, to squeeze the device and open the mouthpieces, pull the hand assistance forward.
Can dental trismus be permanent?
Trauma or injury to the mastication (chewing) muscles causes trismus, often known as lockjaw. Your mastication muscles are required for chewing and opening your mouth. It would be difficult to speak, eat, clean your teeth, or swallow without it.
Trismus normally goes away in less than two weeks, although it can be excruciatingly painful while it does. Permanent trismus is also a possibility. Trismus can be relieved with daily workouts and rubbing, whether it has been present for days or months. Â
If you have trismus, you know how difficult it is to eat, communicate, and maintain good oral hygiene. It is critical to strengthen your jaw by exercising it. Static stretching (holding a stretch) is a useful approach to see how far your jaw can go; however, passive motion (moving portions of your body) utilized multiple times per day has been shown to be quite effective in reducing inflammation and pain.
If stretching and exercising do not help, consult your doctor or another medical practitioner. The following step is usually medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, and steroids.
Is chewing gum good for trismus?
Chewing sugar-free gum can help keep your jaw working. Chewing xylitol-containing gum can help to prevent your teeth against decay. Check with your Speech and Language Therapist to see if chewing gum is safe for you. To keep your jaw muscles from becoming stiff, use the exercises below.
How do you treat trismus naturally?
From mild colds to serious medical issues, a variety of diseases can affect our daily lives. The most hazardous aspect of these is that they are frequently missed, and individuals try to “tough it out” when they are actually signs of significant and sometimes fatal diseases that must be investigated and treated right once. Lockjaw, often known as trismus, is one of these illnesses. We examine what lockjaw is, as well as its causes and symptoms.
A condition of the jaw muscles is known as lockjaw or trismus. It’s a spasm of the jaw’s mastication muscles that prevents the mouth from opening fully. Trismus is a condition in which the opening of the jaw or mouth is restricted due to a muscular spasm. However, regardless of the etiology, any difficulty opening the mouth or jaw is referred to as lockjaw or trismus, according to a commonly accepted idea. Lockjaw makes it difficult to speak, eat, or even keep up with normal oral hygiene. It can be both a temporary and a permanent problem. Temporary lockjaws, on the other hand, are more common. It can also change the appearance of the face in severe situations. It can be a very uncomfortable and painful condition, and swallowing can become difficult. Even more challenging is the inability to examine or diagnose the oral cavity because opening the mouth is limited or impossible at times.
Lockjaw can happen for a variety of reasons. Though the problem is not detrimental in and of itself, it does point to the chance of additional major maladies, illnesses, or health problems. These are some of them:
- Tetanus: A dangerous bacterial infection, tetanus is a common cause of lockjaw. It has an impact on the muscles and neurological system all over the body. As a result, the muscles constrict and tighten. The muscles of the neck and jaw are commonly affected, but the illness gradually spreads to the rest of the body. Tetanus can be caused by animal bites, burns, cuts, wounds, insect bites, tattoos, piercings, persistent infection, injectable medication, or even a tooth infection. To discuss the mechanism, it should be noted that in the case of tetanus, small reproductive spores of Clostridium tetani bacteria enter the bloodstream through cuts, wounds, and other sources and produce the tetanospasmin toxin, which acts as a poison by blocking nerve signals in the central nervous system. Muscle spasms result, and the jaw muscles get blocked as a result.
- Inflammation of the Soft Tissue: While tetanus is a well-known and commonly accepted cause of lockjaw, it is not the sole factor to consider. Another very prevalent and probable cause of lockjaw is soft tissue inflammation. Too much mouth usage or too much chewing, also known as hyper mastication, TMD or Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and other factors can cause inflammation in the soft tissue of the jaws.
- Other Causes: In addition to the previously stated causes, there are other factors that might lead to lockjaw, such as fevers or other oral disorders or illnesses with symptoms in the mouth. Because the soft tissue of the mouth is unable to open or move, swelling and weakening are a natural result.
Lockjaw is a painful and disconcerting ailment. This symptom should not be ignored as a trivial annoyance, as it may signify a serious internal sickness. As a result, a proper diagnosis is required, and therapy will always focus on curing the underlying cause of the problem, causing the lockjaw disorder to go away on its own. Tetanus treatment is required if the underlying cause is tetanus. Lockjaw can be caused by dental issues, as well as other oral disorders and illnesses. In that scenario, treatment should be administered to individuals who are afflicted. However, in addition to treating the underlying problem, you must also treat the painful condition of lockjaw. Simple natural cures and home remedies can be really beneficial. These are some of them:
- Using a hot water bag or a heated cloth to apply a warm compress several times a day to relax the locked jaw muscles.
- It’s critical to improve your posture to keep your lockjaw from getting worse. Sit up straight and sleep on your back rather than your side. Cervical pillows can help you maintain a proper sleeping position.
- consuming meals high in magnesium and calcium Almonds, Brazil nuts, watermelon seeds, sesame seeds, and flaxseeds are high in magnesium, which helps to keep the nervous system in excellent shape and relaxes the jaw muscles. Milk and milk-based products, as well as other nuts, are high in calcium, which can help to strengthen the bones and relieve the pain of lockjaw.
- You should also try performing some jaw exercises. Though they may appear to be excessively painful at first, they will be really beneficial in freeing the lockjaw. The jaw can be unlocked by slightly opening the jaw and continuously moving the mouth from one side to the other.
- Staying hydrated is essential for a healthy, detoxified body, not just for unlocking your lockjaw. Drinking enough water on a daily basis will keep your jaw muscles in good health.
Apart from these effective treatments, home remedies such as applying hot garlic and mustard oil to the lockjaw and drinking herbal tea containing chamomile, kava, passion flower, and feverfew can help relieve lockjaw pain and unlock the muscles. However, before trying any of these home cures, you should consult a doctor because determining the core reason of lockjaw is critical. Otherwise, the underlying condition could never go away.
Should I go to the ER for a locked jaw?
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome, is a painful sensation in the jaw that can be caused by a number of medical issues. The temporomandibular joint connects the area of the skull just behind the ear to the lower jaw. The lower jaw is home to several of the chewing muscles. TMJ pain affects the head and neck, face, ears, jaw, and other areas when there are issues with this area. The jaw muscles frequently lock, causing biting issues or popping and clicking sounds when biting. TMJ can induce teeth clenching and grinding, which can lead to severe jaw pain.
What causes TMJ?
Bad dental habits, ordinary wear and tear, certain disorders, and trauma can all contribute to TMJ condition. Some of the trauma might be as basic as grinding teeth or clenching the jaw. As a result, the muscles inside the mouth around the joint become inflamed. Furthermore, trauma to the jaw, such as a car accident, can result in fractures or dislocation of the jawbone, resulting in injury. Using ice packs to relieve discomfort from impacts and accidents, as well as performing some jaw relaxation exercises, can help. Cancer, infections inside the joint, and bone malformations are some of the other reasons of TMJ.
What are the Risk Factors for TMJ?
Women are more likely than men to acquire TMJ, and those between the ages of 18 and 44 are particularly vulnerable. Women are more likely to get TMJ throughout their childbearing years. According to previous research, persons who are sensitive to pain cues are more likely to develop TMJ. TMJ has also been linked to genetic factors. TMJ syndrome can be exacerbated by genes linked to inflammation, stress, and psychological well-being. TMJ condition is also more common in persons who have chronic pain, like as headaches or back discomfort.
How is TMJ Treated?
Some TMJ problems can be successfully treated at home by using relaxation techniques and lowering stress. TMJ therapies that can be done at home include:
- Ice packs are applied to the joint. Icing is an excellent way to reduce swelling and soreness in the jaw muscles.
If home cures do not work, professional medical therapy is the next best alternative. While some therapies may not be able to cure TMJ, they should provide long-term relief from unpleasant symptoms.
- To stop teeth grinding, use a professional dental splint or mouth guard. This also aids in maintaining good jaw alignment. These are similar to mouth guards, except they require a prescription and are installed by a specialist.
- Intensive physical therapy to strengthen the jaw. The goal is to increase range of motion and flexibility while also strengthening the jaw muscles.
- Dental or jaw surgery may be required in severe cases of TMJ. This would include outpatient operations such as arthroscopy or arthrocentesis. It takes around a week to recover from these operations. If a complete joint replacement is required, the surgery will be conducted in a hospital setting, with a six-week recuperation time.
- Muscle relaxants, sleep aids, and steroid injections are also commonly used.
- A medical expert may use Botox to help relax the jaw muscles in rare circumstances. This treatment strategy for TMJ is currently not FDA approved.
It’s common to have moderate pain in the chewing muscles and jaw on occasion. Unless the discomfort becomes severe and persistent, there is no cause to be concerned. It’s time to see a doctor if this happens. If you’re having trouble swallowing food or your jaw is still hurting when you open and close your mouth, it’s time to see a dentist. It is always more effective to begin treatment as soon as the signs and symptoms of TMJ appear.
Additionally, if your jaw becomes locked in an open or closed posture, you should always go to the emergency department. The doctor in the emergency room can manually reposition the jaw. This is not a project to take on at home. Sedation is frequently required if the jaw is closed and in a locked position. After that, the doctor will manually open the mouth.
TMJ condition usually has a good prognosis. The majority of people are able to handle their care at home without any difficulty.
Long-term TMJ sufferers may experience a variety of issues, including persistent headaches and facial pain. When the situation is severe, a long-term treatment plan should be developed with the help of a medical practitioner.
Contact a Fortson Dentist office in Lathrup Village or Berkley/Oak Park if you’re having jaw pain or have questions or concerns regarding TMJ.
Do muscle relaxers help trismus?
Trismus usually goes away with time, but patients should keep a soft diet and avoid excessive exertion. Physical therapy, passive range of motion exercises, splint therapy, and medications such as NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and steroids are all options for treatment (Medrol Dosepak, Decadron).
What is the most serious cause of trismus?
Trismus is the inability to open one’s mouth or jaw without being able to regulate it. Trismus obstructs a variety of daily actions, including chewing, swallowing, talking, brushing one’s teeth, and even breathing. Dental difficulties, cancer and cancer therapy, surgery, trauma, and other reasons may all contribute to the illness. Trismus can improve with time with the help of a physical therapist, and complete jaw function may be restored.