What is Broken Jaw?

• Broken Jaw is a term that describes a fracture in the jaw bone. The condition is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right-away
• In some cases, there may be displaced or broken tooth along-with a Broken Jaw. The condition can also be that the jaw is dislocated and moved out of its normal alignment

What are the Causes of Broken Jaw?

A Broken Jaw may be caused by:

• Contact or rough-impact sports
• Physical fights causing jaw injuries, domestic violence
• Fall injuries
• Car or motor vehicle accidents
• Accidents that occur at one’s workplace

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Broken Jaw?

The signs and symptoms of a Broken Jaw depend on the severity of the injury and may include:

• Pain in the jaw, which is severe during biting motion. The pain may also increase on opening one’s mouth
• The pain is felt on the side of the facial injury or fracture
• Localized swelling, with or without bruising
• Swollen face and lips, broken teeth
• Bleeding may be seen from the mouth
• Visible facial distortion or abnormality, in case of a severe injury
• Stiffness of jaw; else, the jaw is seen to move abnormally from one side to the other
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unable to speak
• Severe headache
• Loss of balance
• Difficulty breathing; obstruction of the airways
• Aspiration of food or blood into the lungs
• Unconsciousness
• If the jaw is dislocated, the following may be noted (in addition to some of the above symptoms):
  • Difficulty in closing one’s mouth
  • Salivation from the mouth, since it is difficult to keep the mouth closed
  • Visible jaw misalignment (jaw is to one side or it protrudes forward)

How is First Aid administered for Broken Jaw?

First Aid tips for Broken Jaw include:

• Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately
• If the individual is not breathing, begin CPR immediately (if you are trained to do so)
• If the individual is bleeding from the mouth, ask him/her to spit it without much effort into a piece of clean cloth or gauze
• Apply an ice-pack or ice wrapped in cloth, on the affected area
• Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure on the affected area, using a clean cloth or bandage
• Support the jaw by firmly tying a handkerchief around the head and below the jaw (like a sling), so that the jaw is held in place
• Ensure that the tied handkerchief is not fastened too tight. If necessary, use a hand to gently support the jaw
• DO NOT attempt to realign the jaw or correct the defect in any manner
• In case the individual is going to vomit, remove the tied piece of cloth to permit the same
• In case any teeth are broken, retrieve them, hold them by the crown, clean using milk or water, and place them in cold milk/water (or even in saliva). Take these also to the healthcare specialist
• Immobilize the head in such a way that there is not much movement

Who should administer First Aid for Broken Jaw?

The individual with the Broken Jaw, or someone near the affected person, or a qualified healthcare personnel may administer First Aid.

What is the Prognosis of Broken Jaw?

The prognosis depends on the severity of the Broken Jaw and the prompt treatment provided.

• In many case, the healthcare provider can set the jaw back in position or set broken jaw bones
• In some cases of severe injury, a surgery may be necessary, wherein metal inserts are used to hold the jaw bones together. This may prolong the recovery period
• Post-operative care is important to ensure complete recovery and normal usage of jaw

How can Broken Jaw be Prevented?

A few helpful tips to prevent Broken Jaw:

• Use of appropriate headgear, wearing helmets and seat belts, may help avoid severe injuries during participation in certain sports activities
• Fall proof the home, especially when there are young children and elderly adults

What are certain Crucial Steps to be followed?

• DO NOT try to align the jaw into its normal position
• Immobilization of the jaw using a sling
• Starting CPR in case of breathing difficulty
• Calling 911 (or your local emergency number)