What should I do if my jaw hurts like a cramp when I yawn?
Nov 14, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
In general, pain in the jaw when yawning—similar to a muscle cramp—may be related to excessive movement, exposure to cold, calcium deficiency, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), facial nerve inflammation, or other causes. It is recommended to visit a hospital to determine the underlying cause and follow medical advice for treatment. During treatment, maintain a positive mood and avoid excessive emotional excitement. At the same time, ensure regular rest and avoid overexertion.
Under normal circumstances, jaw pain resembling muscle cramps during yawning may be related to excessive movement, exposure to cold, calcium deficiency, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), or facial neuritis. It is recommended to visit a hospital to determine the exact cause and follow medical advice for treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Excessive movement: Yawning with overly wide movements may excessively stretch facial soft tissues, leading to local muscle spasms that feel like cramping. The pain may resolve on its own after a period of time.
2. Exposure to cold: Cold weather or inadequate protection of the jaw area may cause the muscles around the mandible to become chilled, resulting in abnormal muscle twitching and pain, often accompanied by stiffness or mild swelling in the jaw region. It is advisable to keep the area warm and avoid exposing the jaw to cold.
3. Calcium deficiency: Insufficient dietary intake or aging may lead to calcium deficiency. Low calcium levels impair calcium ion binding at nerve synapses, causing abnormal nerve discharges and muscle spasms. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as nighttime teeth grinding or osteoporosis. Patients should take calcium supplements such as calcium acetate granules, calcium lactate granules, or oyster shell calcium carbonate granules under a doctor’s guidance.
4. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD): In patients with TMD, yawning may overstretch or dislocate the temporomandibular joint tendons, stimulating surrounding muscles and triggering spasms. Symptoms may include jaw pain, joint clicking, and pain in the chewing muscles. Patients should promptly follow medical advice and use medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, prednisone acetate tablets, or eperisone hydrochloride tablets.
5. Facial neuritis: Facial neuritis can irritate infected nerves and surrounding blood vessels, leading to facial muscle paralysis or localized muscle spasms. Symptoms may include facial numbness, drooping of the mouth corner, and incomplete eyelid closure. Under medical supervision, patients may use medications such as dexamethasone acetate tablets, carbamazepine tablets, or glutathione tablets to aid recovery.
During treatment, it is important to maintain a positive mood and avoid excessive emotional excitement. Additionally, ensure regular rest and avoid overexertion.
