A New Jersey woman experienced an extreme case of lockjaw after her mouth became stuck open while yawning. She explained to Inside Edition that she was on her way home from the gym when the medical emergency occurred.
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Jenna Sinatra, 21, said her brother thought she was pranking him when they were on their way home but suddenly realized that her mouth wouldn’t close and transported her to a local emergency room in Manahawkin, New Jersey. During the hospital visit, doctors gave Sinatra muscle relaxers to help relax her jaw, but it took four medical personnel to put her jaw back in place. To ensure her recovery, Sinatra’s head was wrapped securely.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Sinatra admitted she was scared to “yawn.” New York City dentist Dr. Nancy Rosen explained that muscle spasms and your lower jaw can slide out of place, causing lockjaw. She advised that if someone experiences lockjaw, they should gently massage around the jaw area to help relax the muscles. “One of the important things is if this happens to you, do not get scared because the fear and anxiety could actually make it worse,” Rosen added.
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Sinatra also documented her experience on TikTok, and the video currently has 7.4 million views. According to the Daily Mail, plastic surgeon Anthony Youn stiched Sinatra’s video and explained that the other phenomena surrounding the lockjaw are called ‘open lock,’ which leaves the jaw stuck open. He says it’s infrequent, but it often happens when someone does a big yawn.
Lockjaw, medically known as trismus, can be caused by several factors besides tetanus. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, a condition affecting the jaw joint, can cause muscle spasms and limit movement. Oral infections, like severe tooth abscesses or wisdom teeth issues, can also lead to inflammation and restrict jaw opening. Certain medications, particularly antipsychotics, can have side effects that cause muscle stiffness and limit jaw mobility. In rare cases, tumors or injuries in the jaw area can create physical limitations that mimic lockjaw.