Jaw Pain after a fall… Here’s What You Should Do

Author: James White

Are you suffering with persistent pain in your jaw after experiencing a fall or a sports injury? Does the pain won’t go away and getting worse? It might be due to broken or dislocated jaw. A broken, fractured or dislocated jaw can create problems with eating, chewing and even breathing. Shocking right? Immediate medical action is required to minimize complications, ill effects of broken jaw and accelerate the healing process.

While experiencing persistent pain, you might wonder whether the pain due to the broken jaw is broken or because of the nerve damage in the mandible. Here are few of the major symptoms of broken or dislocated jaw bone explained by Las Vegas Cosmetic Dentist.

  • Face swelling, especially in the jaw area
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Discomfort while chewing & talking
  • Jaw stiffness
  • Numbness in the gums and loosened teeth

How is Jaw Fracture Diagnosed?

X-rays, CT scan and MRI of your head or jaw may show a broken bone. While taking scan, you may be given contrast liquid to help the broken jaw bone to show up better in the scanned pictures. Make sure to inform to the dentist, if you ever experienced allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Also, do not enter into the MRI room with anything metal in or on your body.

How is Jaw Fracture Treated?

Pain Medications and Antibiotics:

Pain killers and medications will be given to you as prescribed by your cosmetic dentist Las Vegas. If you have an open wound, antibiotic will be given to you! This medicine is used to prevent or treat an infection caused by bacteria.

Jaw Wiring:

If your jaw is dislocated, jaw wiring is used to hold your jaw bone and keep it from moving. This will help the bones heal the right way. After wiring, you will be provided with a pair of wire cutters to use in case of emergency. Your dentist will also guide on how to and when to use those cutters. This tool will help you to open the wires if you experience vomiting or choking. So make sure to keep a pair of cutters in your home during your recovery process.

Surgery:

If the fracture is severe, your dentist will perform surgery to return the jaw bone to its normal position. Pins, plates and screws will be used during the surgery to hold the fractured jawbone together. Surgery may also be needed to correct a deformity or fix damaged tissues, such as the mouth, tongue, nerves, or blood vessels.

Key Takeaway Tips:

  • Apply ice pack to reduce swelling and inflammations
  • Eat soft foods as directed by your
cosmetic dentist in Las Vegas

  • Clean your mouth 4 to 6 times each day
  • Do not play sports while your jaw heals
  • Do not put too much pressure on your jaw; also sleep on your back

These are the things you should be aware of when it comes to broken or dislocated jaw bone.

Prevention Tips:

While playing sports, don’t forget to wear proper helmet and mouth guards, as this can prevent some accidental injuries to the face or jaw.

The author of this article is working as an experienced cosmetic dentist in Las Vegas. During his leisure time, he likes to write and publish articles related to sports injuries. For more details, visit https://www.thelasvegascosmeticdentist.com