How Trismus Takes a Toll on Oral Hygiene & 3 Ways to Help
Trismus, commonly known as “lockjaw,” develops when muscles in the jaw repeatedly contract in response to chronic pain or irritation.
What Causes Trismus?
Various factors, including re-irradiation, chemotherapy, the location of a tumor relative to the patient’s jaw, and surgery can lead to trismus.
Trismus can negatively impact a patient’s ability to open their mouth. This may result in difficulty maintaining oral hygiene for both the patient and their dentist. The patient may struggle with effectively and thoroughly brushing their teeth, and their dentist may be unable to perform routine dental care due to limited access to the patient’s mouth.
Keeping your mouth healthy keeps your body healthy. Poor oral hygiene can lead to malnutrition, chronic gum disease (periodontitis), decay and crumbling of the tooth or bone (dental caries), and collections of pus in the teeth (dental abscesses).
Luckily, for patients at risk of developing trismus or patients already diagnosed with trismus, there are ways to prevent the decline in oral hygiene associated with this condition. Do you fall into one of these categories? If so, keep reading as we discuss 3 ways that patients with trismus can improve their oral health.
Ways to Help Manage Trismus
Dental Treatment Prior to Radiation
Undergoing radiation treatment can make simultaneous dental care challenging, whether it’s because of the mentally taxing effects or from physical changes a patient may experience. Patients who develop trismus after radiation therapy may not be able to open their mouth wide enough for a dentist to do a full check-up or thorough clean.
You should go to the dentist before you begin your radiation treatment. A preemptive dental cleaning can prevent any ongoing dental problems from getting worse during a time when you might have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene.
Use Chewing Gum that Contains Xylitol
Chewing gum has numerous advantages for patients suffering from trismus. For one, it can serve as an exercise to keep the patient’s jaw active. It can also help circulate saliva in your mouth. Why is the circulation of saliva important? Saliva actually plays a key role in oral hygiene. It works as an antibacterial agent, protects tooth enamel, and can prevent gum disease.
Xylitol, a natural sugar found in fruits and vegetables, can also help prevent dental caries and repair tooth enamel. Do you have difficulty with routine oral care methods, like brushing your teeth? Chewing gum that contains Xylitol may help. Do you have difficulty chewing? If so, try xylitol sucking candies as an alternative.
Please check with your speech and swallowing therapist to determine whether or not this is a safe option for you.
Rinse Your Mouth
Rinsing your mouth after every meal can help prevent food from getting stuck in your teeth and reduce the buildup of bacteria. Effective mouth rinses include saline, boiled or sterile water, or nonalcoholic mouth rinse.
You should heat mouth rinses to a lukewarm temperature (neither too hot nor too cold). Very hot water may burn your gums. Meanwhile, very cold water may feel uncomfortable and will not release bacteria from the gums as well as warmer water.
Do You Have a Severe Case of Trismus?
Is it too difficult to open your mouth wide enough to use a rinse effectively? Wrigley and Taylor published a proof-of-concept paper detailing a mouth rinsing method for patients that fall into this category. This method uses a suction catheter to aid in mouth rinsing:
- Move the catheter filled with mouth rinse around in your mouth to ensure every surface is sufficiently cleaned.
- Use a bowl to catch the mouth rinse as it falls out of your mouth.
Conclusion
You should be aware of the various oral hygiene issues associated with trismus and how you can correct them. If you think you might be at risk for developing trismus, make sure to engage in preventive dental care. Are you already dealing with trismus? In this case, you should make sure you continue to make an active effort to maintain your oral health. Although dental care might be difficult to manage while suffering from trismus, effective methods that improve oral hygiene can help keep your smile healthy.
Healthcare Disclaimer
We encourage you to speak with your doctor if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your symptoms and treatment. While this information provides a helpful guide, it does not replace consultation with your healthcare provider.
Sources
If Your Jaw Is Tight And Stiff (Trismus): Common Problems And Helpful Hints
The Effect Of Xylitol On Dental Caries And Oral Flora
Meraw SJ, Reeve CM. Dental considerations and treatment of the oncology patient receiving radiation therapy. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 129(2), 201–205. 1998. doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.1998.0178
Nussbaum BL. Dental care for patients who are unable to open their mouths. Dental Clinics of North America, 53(2), 323–328. 2009. doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2008.12.006
Wrigley H, Taylor EJ. Oral Care for hospice patients with severe trismus. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 16(2), 113–114. 2012. doi.org/10.1188/12.cjon.113-114
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