HomeAnswersGeneral Medicineareca nutCan tobacco chewing cause difficulty in mouth opening?

How can difficulty in mouth opening be treated in a tobacco chewer?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Divya Banu M

Published At September 10, 2017
Reviewed AtFebruary 6, 2024

Patient's Query

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?

Answered by Dr. Honey Nandwani

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 he can advise applying a steroid ointment in combination with 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., (Add thank you at the end)

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Honey Nandwani
Dr. Honey Nandwani

Dentistry

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