How to manage trismus in tobacco or areca nut chewers?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am suffering from a mouth-opening problem. My mouth does not open fully. I used to chew tobacco before. So, how can I get rid of the disease?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As per your query, the presentation of symptoms of reduced mouth opening can be due to the most common reason, oral submucous fibrosis, in which thick fibrous bands form below the mucosa of cheeks and lips, leading to stiffening and difficulty in mouth opening.

It is a precancerous condition (although not cancer) and should be taken care of. It is commonly seen in individuals with tobacco and areca nut chewing habits.

You need to consult an oral physician or a dentist and get evaluated, and they can advise applying a steroid ointment in combination with a Hyaluronidase-containing ointment to break fibers. Intralesional injections of steroids and Hyaluronidase can be instructed to be injected after every three to four days.

Anti-oxidant like Lycopene is also advised. Physiotherapy, like blowing cheeks, trying to open the mouth under pressure, etc..

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.