How to Fix a Broken Jaw
When you break your jaw bone, you can experience numbness in the face, loose or damaged teeth, and difficulty opening your mouth. Also, you can feel facial swelling or bruising. Complications from a broken jaw can include temporary complications like difficulty chewing or talking. Or you can experience airway blockage or infection in your face or jaw. First aid and proper treatment should occur as quickly as possible.
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Instructions
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Apply first aid. Without immediate medical attention, your broken jaw can place you at risk for bleeding and breathing problems. On your way to the hospital, hold your jaw gently in place with your hand. Or wrap a bandage under your jaw and over the top of your head. Your temporary bandage will prevent your jaw from moving and reduce you r pain. Make sure you can easily remove the bandage in case you need to vomit.
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Treat the broken jaw. If your broken jaw is minor, you may only need to be on a diet of soft foods or liquids. In addition, you may have to take pain medicine to relieve your painful. However, more treatment will be need if you have a moderate or more severe fracture. For instance, you may have to undergo surgery. Your surgeon can repair your broken jaw with fines screws and metal pates.
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Wire your jaw. Your doctor may recommend that you have your jaw wired to fix it and improve stability. Small elastics, or rubber bands, are used to hold your teeth together. When your jaw is wired you will only be able to drink liquids or eat soft foods. Typically you may have to have your jaw wired for six to eight weeks. However, your doctor may remove some of the rubber bands to reduce stiffness and allow you to move your jaw. Keep a blunt scissors with you at all times. You may have to cut your elastic bands if you vomit or choke. Contact your doctor promptly if your jaw needs to be wired again.
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Reduce your risk. When your jaw is broken it can cause your teeth become loosened or removed. Or your jaw bone can pierce your skin. In those instances, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for you, such as clindamycin or penicillin, to reduce any risk of infection you may have.
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