Jaw Fracture In Adults

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A jaw fracture (frak-shur) is a break in the jawbone. The jawbone is made up of the upper and lower jawbone. A break may occur in either or both of these bones. You may have broken your jawbone from an injury or an accident. Swelling, pain, bruising, or bleeding in the jawbone are signs of a fractured jawbone. You may have pain in front of your ear or trouble opening your mouth. It may take weeks or months for the jawbone to heal.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Keep a written list of what medicines you take and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines. Do not take any medicines without first talking to caregivers.
    
    
  • Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking it until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-ah-tiks), take them until they are all gone even if you feel better.
    
    
  • If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.
  
  
• Learn how to cut the wire quickly if your jaws are wired together. This is important to know if you vomit (throw up) or have a coughing attack. Keep the wire cutters where you can quickly find them.
  
  
  • You will only be able to drink. Drink high-protein liquids while your jaw is wired.
    
    
  
  
• Do not push on your jaw or let anything push on it. Sleep on your back.
  
  
• To lessen pain or swelling use ice right after the injury and for 24 to 48 hours afterwards. Put the ice in a plastic bag and cover it with a towel. Place this over the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes out of every hour as long as you need it. Do not sleep on the ice pack because you could get frostbite.
  
  
• After the first 24 to 48 hours you may use heat to lessen pain or swelling. Heat brings blood to the injured area and helps it heal faster. Use a heating pad (turned on low), moist warm towels or a hot water bottle. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes out of every hour as long as you need it. Do not sleep on the heating pad or hot water bottle. This could cause a bad burn.
  
  
• Do not exercise so hard that you must pant for breath.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have a bad headache.
  
  
• You have no feeling in your face.
  
  
• You have bad jaw pain that does not go away with medicine.
  
  
• The wires or splints in your mouth are loose.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have trouble breathing.
  
  

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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