1. Determine the Difference Between Dislocation and Fracture
Broken jaws most often occur during facial trauma. The lower jawbone, or mandible, attaches to the upper jaw, or the maxilla, just in front of the ears. The mandible is the only part of the jaw that moves. When the lower jaw moves out of its regular position at the connection point to the upper jaw, dislocation occurs. A broken jaw is when a fracture happens in the jaw bone itself.
2. Look for Symptoms of a Broken Jaw
Symptoms of a broken jaw can include stiffness in the jaw, an inability to open the mouth wide, pain in the jaw that worsens while chewing, abnormal bruises on the face, cheek or jaw and face swelling or jaw numbness. Other symptoms include blood in the mouth or teeth that no longer line up as they should.
3. An Immovable Mandible Is Sometimes Best
All broken or dislocated jaws require emergency medical treatment. You can hold a broken jaw in place while traveling to the hospital either with your hands or by wrapping a bandage loosely around the top of your head and under the chin. Don't alter the position of the jaw if you suspect a fracture. Apply ice to the area to reduce swelling. Breathing problems can occur with a broken jaw when the jaw no longer offers the tongue any support. If you notice any difficulty breathing, call an ambulance right away.
4. From Soft Foods to Surgery
Minor breaks in the mandible can heal on their own, with the patient needing only medication for pain and a restricted diet of soft foods. More severe fractures may require wiring the jaw in place. These wires attach the mandible to the teeth in the maxilla to provide stability. This procedure usually takes anywhere from six to eight weeks for full recovery. Only soft or liquid foods are allowed during the time that the jaw remains wired. If a patient must vomit or starts to cough severely, wire cutters can remove the wires temporarily. Patients with wired jaws should keep a pair of cutters available at all times.
5. Give It Time to Heal
Patients should rest after surgery. Exercise should remain light and shouldn't be strenuous enough to cause panting. Avoid pushing on your jaw and attempt to sleep on your back. For the first two days, apply ice wrapped in a towel to the area. After day two, heat should ease any discomfort you experience.
