You have a broken jaw or mandible bone. It may be a minor break in the bone. Or you may have a major break, with the bone moving out of place. This causes swelling, pain, and bruising in your lower face. You may have a cut and bleeding inside your mouth.
Most jaw fractures are stable. They can be treated by wiring the upper and lower teeth together. This keeps the fracture from moving while the bone heals. The bone should heal in about 4 to 6 weeks. But you may need surgery to put the broken bone back in place.
A blow to the face that’s strong enough to break a jaw may also cause a concussion or more serious brain injury. You should watch for the warning signs listed below.
Home care
-
If your jaw was wired shut, it’s important for you to be able to open the wires in any emergency that makes it hard to breathe. This includes vomiting, extreme coughing, or choking. You must carry a pair of small wire cutters with you at all times. Keep them near your bed at night. Be sure you know which wires to cut in case you need to do this. If you don't know, ask your health care provider.
-
If a bandage was wrapped around your jaw, leave this in place, even when you are sleeping. Do this until you are seen at your next appointment. This will keep the broken bones from moving until you see the oral surgeon or ENT (ear, nose, and throat surgeon).
-
If your jaw was wired shut, follow a full liquid diet. Drink liquids and blended drinks, or smoothies, through a straw. Include high-protein drinks, blended food, juices, and soup. Don't drink very hot and cold drinks.
-
If your jaw was not wired shut, you may follow a full liquid diet plus soft foods. Don’t try to open your mouth wide or chew on solid food.
-
You might be advised to write down your weight every week. By doing so, you'll be able to know if you've had a big weight loss caused by the liquid-based diet. This information will help your provider and you decide about your nutrition plan.
-
Use an ice pack on the injured area for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Do this every 1 to 2 hours for the first 24 to 48 hours. Then use ice packs as needed to ease pain and swelling. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a clean, thin towel or cloth. Never put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin.
-
You may use over-the-counter pain medicine to control pain, unless another pain medicine was prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or are taking blood thinners, talk with your provider before using this medicine. Use the children's liquid form of the medicine if your jaw was wired closed.
-
If you were given antibiotics to prevent an infection, take them as directed until you have finished the prescription.
Special note on concussions
If you had any symptoms of a concussion today, don’t return to sports or any activity that could result in another head injury. Wait until all of your symptoms are gone and your health care provider says it’s okay to resume your activity. Having a second head injury before you fully recover from the first one can lead to serious brain injury.
Symptoms of a concussion include:
-
Nausea.
-
Vomiting.
-
Dizziness.
-
Confusion.
-
Headache.
-
Memory loss.
-
Loss of consciousness.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider in 1 week, or as advised.
If you had X-rays or CT scans taken, you will be told of any new findings that may affect your care.
When to get medical advice
Contact your health care provider right away if:
-
Your face swells up or your pain gets worse.
-
You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.
-
You have chills.
-
You can’t swallow liquids.
-
Your mouth or gums are bleeding.
-
You had to cut the wires placed on your teeth.
Call 911
Call
-
Repeated vomiting.
-
Severe headache or dizziness.
-
Headache or dizziness that gets worse.
-
Abnormal drowsiness, or you can't wake up as usual.
-
Confusion or change in behavior or speech.
-
Convulsion or seizure.
