Consumer Information

Jaw Fracture In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A jaw fracture (FRAK-chur) is also known as a mandibular fracture. This occurs when your child's mandible (lower jawbone) is broken. The jaw is a long bone that forms the chin and holds the lower teeth. It goes up towards the ear on both sides of the face. Where it ends is called a condyle. The condyle is part of the jaw joint that helps in opening and closing the mouth. A jaw fracture is caused by an injury to the head or face. A direct blow during a fight, physical abuse, or car accident may cause the trauma.
Common signs and symptoms may include a bump, cut, bruise, swelling, or deformity on his jaw. Your child may have missing or loose teeth or a feeling that his teeth do not fit together. He may also have trouble breathing, talking, eating, biting, swallowing, or opening his mouth. An x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scan may be used for diagnosis.
Treatment may include medicines for the relief of symptoms or surgery if the fracture is bad. The younger your child is, the faster the fracture will heal without further problems. With proper treatment, care, and follow-up, your child has a greater chance of having a full recovery. As your child's caregiver for more information about these tests and treatments.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

Keep a list of your child's medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
Give your child's medicine as directed: Always give your child's medicine as directed by his caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.
Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's Syndrome. This could lead to brain and liver damage. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are over-the-counter medicines that may help your child's pain and fever. Ask your child's caregiver to tell you the right amount of medicine to give to your child, and how often to give it.

Ask your child's caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.

Activity:

Exercise: Talk to your child's caregiver before you let him start exercising again. Together you can plan the best exercise program for your child. It is best to start slowly and do more as he gets stronger. Exercising will help make his bones and muscles stronger.
Help your child to rest. Your child should rest as much as possible and get plenty of sleep.
Sports: Do not let your child play contact sports, such as football, while his jaw is still healing. His fractured jaw may break again, bleed, or bruise easily. Talk to your child's caregiver before you let him start playing contact sports again.

Diet:

Your child may not be able to eat solid food for a period of time. He may only be allowed to drink liquids to rest his jaw. He may need to use a straw to drink if his upper and lower teeth are wired together. Ask your child's caregiver how to cut the wire quickly if your child needs to vomit (throw up) or has a coughing attack. Keep the wire cutters where you can quickly find them. Liquids may be the only things your child may be able to swallow. He may drink water, broth, apple juice, or soda. He may suck on ice chips or eat gelatin.
As he improves, your child may be given soft foods that are easier to bite, chew, or swallow. Some examples are applesauce, baby food, bananas, cooked cereal, cottage cheese, eggs, pudding, and yogurt. Ask your caregiver for more information about what foods or liquids your child is allowed to eat or drink.

Wound and wire care: Ask your child's caregiver about the proper way to take care of his wound or change his bandage. It is also important to know how often your child's bandage needs to be changed. Learn also how to cut the wire quickly if your child's teeth are wired together. This is important to know if he needs to vomit (throw up) or has a coughing attack. Keep the wire cutters where you can quickly find them.

Preventing another jaw fracture:

Always put your child in a car safety seat in the back seat. Do not start the car until your child's seat belt is fastened. Ask your caregiver for more information about car safety seats. If your child is old enough, have him wear a seat belt properly when driving or riding in a car.
Do not leave your child alone on the bed, changing table, or couch. Place him in a crib or playpen if you must leave him unattended.
Do not let your child dive in a shallow pool area or in water where the depth is not known.
Make sure your child wears proper padding and protective gear when playing sports. These include wrist guards, helmets, kneepads, and mouth guards that meet safety standards. Teach your child about following safety regulations. Ask your caregiver for more information about bicycle helmet safety.

For support or more information: A jaw fracture is a life-changing injury for your child and your family. Accepting that your child has a jaw fracture may be hard. You, your child, and those close to you may feel sad, angry, depressed, or frightened. These are normal feelings. Talk to your child's caregivers, your family, or friends about your feelings.

You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who have had head injuries or jaw fractures. Contact the following for more information about jaw fracture:

American Academy of Family Physicians
PO Box 11210
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
Phone: 1-913-906-6000
Web Address: http://www.aafp.org

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
Your child's pain is getting worse even after giving him pain medicines.
Your child's bandage has new stains or a bad odor.
Your child's wires or splints in the mouth are loose.
Your child cannot make it to his next appointment with his caregiver.
You have questions or concerns about your child's injury, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

Your child is vomiting and cannot keep any liquids down.
Your child has increased pain that does not go away.
Your child has problems breathing, talking, drinking, eating, or swallowing.
Your child's splint breaks or gets damaged, or becomes soaked with blood.

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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