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Has anyone else had muscle spasms/spasticity cause your jaw and bite to be misaligned? I’m so frustrated and discouraged.

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
February 11
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MyMSTeam

Can muscle spasms and spasticity in MS cause jaw and bite misalignment?

It's completely understandable to feel frustrated and discouraged. While muscle spasms and spasticity commonly affect the arms, legs, trunk, and back in MS, they can also impact other areas of the body, including the jaw and facial muscles.

Spasticity Show Full Answer

Can muscle spasms and spasticity in MS cause jaw and bite misalignment?

It's completely understandable to feel frustrated and discouraged. While muscle spasms and spasticity commonly affect the arms, legs, trunk, and back in MS, they can also impact other areas of the body, including the jaw and facial muscles.

Spasticity happens when MS damages nerves in the brain or spinal cord, disrupting normal muscle control. This causes multiple muscles to contract at once and resist stretching, creating that tug-of-war feeling between muscles. When this affects the jaw area, it could potentially impact your bite alignment.

Some MyMSTeam members have shared experiences with tongue and cheek biting related to MS symptoms. One member described feeling like there was something "pushing down, slowing my speech like a fat tongue," which led to tongue-biting and cheek-biting issues.

If you're experiencing jaw spasticity affecting your bite, it's important to talk with your neurologist. They may refer you to a physical or occupational therapist who specializes in treating spasticity. Treatment options that help with muscle spasms in other areas might also help with jaw issues, including:

* Muscle relaxants like baclofen or tizanidine
* Botox injections to help relax overactive muscles
* Customized stretches and exercises

You're not alone in dealing with frustrating spasticity symptoms, and there are treatment options available to help.

February 11
A MyMSTeam Member

Mine is caused by teeth clenching. My teeth have moved and my jaw is misaligned. I cannot open my mouth wide and if I try it clicks loudly and hurts. I have acupuncture for mine and it’s really helped to relax my jaw. My dentist showed me some jaw massage techniques.

March 1
A MyMSTeam Member

I deal with jaw spasticity, especially at the end of a work shift when I get tired. Before I was diagnosed last year I had an episode of jaw clicking, but it corrected itself after a few weeks. MS "moves around"? Now, spasms in my jaw, a gap in my vocal cords, affect my ability to speak clearly. I take Baclofen which helps my facial muscles relax some. I'd really like to learn customized jaw stretches.

February 18
A MyMSTeam Member

Yes, I have always clenched during the day in response to stress also.

March 2 (edited)
A MyMSTeam Member

Sorry it’s so bad for you. Praying you find some relief soon 💜

March 13

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Muscle Spasms in MS: What Do They Feel Like?
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