Have you ever fallen or hit your face, and then had difficulty opening your mouth properly? Many people assume this is just a simple soreness or mild swelling. However, difficulty opening your mouth properly after a fall can be a sign of more serious facial bone trauma.
Difficulty opening the mouth normally is known medically as trismus . This condition often occurs after an injury to the jaw or facial bones and should not be taken lightly.
Why is it difficult to open your mouth normally after a fall?
When the face experiences a hard impact, for example due to a fall, motorcycle accident, or sports injury, the jawbone and surrounding structures can experience:
- Crack or fracture of the jaw bone (mandible)
- Jaw joint (TMJ) injury
- Displacement of facial bones
- Spasm or stiffness of the chewing muscles
As a result, complaints arise that the mouth is difficult to open normally, feels stiff, pain when chewing, and even cannot open the mouth wide at all.
Facial Bone Trauma and Its Relation to Difficulty Opening the Mouth Normally
Facial bone trauma isn't always immediately visible from the outside. Sometimes the face only appears slightly swollen, but there's underlying bone structural damage.
Some conditions that often cause difficulty opening the mouth normally after a fall include:
1. Jaw Fracture (Mandible)
The lower jaw plays a crucial role in opening and closing the mouth. A fracture can affect the ability to open the mouth. This is one of the most common causes of difficulty opening the mouth normally after trauma.
Other signs:
- Pain when speaking
- Teeth feel misaligned
- The chin appears to be shifting
- Swelling in the jaw area
2. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Injury
The jaw joint connects the lower jaw to the skull. Trauma can cause inflammation or displacement of the joint, resulting in complaints such as difficulty opening the mouth normally, a feeling of locking, or a clicking sound when moving the mouth.
3. Post-Traumatic Muscle Spasms
A hard blow can cause the muscles around the jaw to spasm or stiffen. While this doesn't always involve a fracture, it can still make it difficult to open the mouth normally for several days.
Don't Ignore It If Your Mouth Is Difficult To Open Normally, Accompanied By These Symptoms
Seek medical attention immediately if you have difficulty opening your mouth normally after a fall, accompanied by:
- The face looks asymmetrical
- Numbness in the lips or chin
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Severe pain that doesn't get better
Because the sooner facial bone trauma is treated, the better the recovery results will be.
Can difficulty opening the mouth heal on its own?
Not all conditions that cause difficulty opening the mouth normally require surgery. If it's only due to mild swelling or muscle spasms, it usually improves with:
- Cold compress
- Painkillers
- Jaw rest
- Soft food diet
However, if the cause is a fracture or shift in facial structure, further medical treatment, even surgery, is required.
Get the Right Check-Up Immediately
Difficulty opening the mouth normally after a fall is not a complaint to be taken lightly. This condition could be a sign of facial bone trauma, jaw joint injury, or even a fracture that requires medical evaluation.
If you find it difficult to open your mouth normally after the impact, don't wait until the condition worsens. Early evaluation can prevent long-term complications, including impaired eating and speech.
This article was written by Dr. Andi Azwadi Rais, Sp.BPRE (Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).