A broken jaw affects your tempomandibular joint and is treated by lining up the bones in order to encourage proper healing, according to the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. The rehab process may take six or more weeks and includes rehabilitation exercises and other natural remedies to reduce symptoms and promote a healthy recovery. Check with your doctor first since not all solutions may be best for you.
Cold Packs
Facial swelling is a symptom of facial traumas such as a broken jaw. Reduce your facial swelling by applying cold packs to your affected jaw area, according to MedLinePlus. Cold packs can include using frozen vegetable packages, ice packs or plastic bags filled with crushed ice, a washcloth soaked in cold water or a commercially-prepared cold pack. Close your mouth. While either sitting upright in a chair or laying on your back in bed with your head elevated, place the cold pack over your affected jaw. Keep the cold pack in place for no longer than 15 minutes. Remove the item. Apply your cold pack throughout the day to relieve symptoms.
Self Massage
Jaw joint pain affecting the temporomandibular joint is a common complaint after a broken jaw. Massage can help ease muscle spasms, decrease pain and relax your temporomandibular joint area, according to Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma. Use your same side hand to gently massage your jaw area by using a circular motion. Massage your jaw for 10 minutes with your mouth closed. Cover the entire area surrounding your jaw. Remove your hand and relax 20 seconds. Open your mouth and repeat the massage for five minutes. Do this massage throughout the day whenever you feel extra jaw muscle tension.
Gentle Stretching
Moderate to severe broken jaws usually require jaw-wiring surgery, according to MedLinePlus. Wiring stabilizes the jaw and leads to muscle stiffness and flexibility loss. Including some gentle stretching exercises as part of your broken jaw rehab process will counteract stiffness, pain and lack of mobility. While either sitting upright or laying down, gently open your mouth and lips as wide as possible. Let your jaw and facial muscles relax. Place the tip of your right thumb on your lower gum in the front of your mouth, according to The Pain Clinic. Take your index finger and place it on the bottom your two front teeth. Gently stretch open your mouth. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Remove your fingers and relax 10 seconds. Repeat this stretching exercise five times. Remember to breathe normally throughout this exercise.
Knuckle Stretches
As your jaw flexibility increases, you need to include more advanced levels of stretching in your broken jaw rehab process, according to the Pain Clinic. While sitting upright, gently open your mouth. Place your right finger knuckle between your teeth. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Remove your finger and relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise five times. Gradually increase your stretch by fitting two fingers, your index and middle finger, between your front teeth.
References
- AAOMS; Treating and Preventing Facial Injury; American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; 2011
- NISMAT; Physical Therapy Corner, The Temporomandibular Joint; 2011
- MedLinePlus; Jaw -- Broken or Dislocated; National Institutes of Health; 2010
- The Pain Clinic; Exercises, Jaw; 2009
- MedLinePlus; Facial Swelling; National Institutes of Health; 2010
