WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
When the jawbone becomes unseated at one or both joints,
you have a dislocated jaw. The condition is known medically as
a dislocated mandible.
Causes
The problem is usually the result
of impact on the jaw. Dislocation can also occur if you open
your mouth too wide while yawning, yelling, or biting large
pieces of food.
Signs/Symptoms
Soon after the dislocation, the
jaw muscles tighten, keeping the mouth from closing normally.
You'll have difficulty moving the jaw; and swelling, pain, and
redness will develop.
Care
Injection of a numbing medication
near the joint and the jaw muscles often allows the jawbone to
pop back into place on its own. If this doesn't work, however,
the doctor may need to manually reseat the bone in the
joint.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Apply an ice pack to the jaw during the first 12 to
24 hours to relieve pain and swelling. Put ice in a plastic
bag and place a towel between the ice pack and your skin.
Keep the ice pack on your jaw for 15 to 20 minutes out of
every hour.
-
After 24 hours, you may use heat to ease the pain.
Put the heat on your jaw for 15 minutes every 2 hours. Wait
at least 24 hours after the injury before applying heat; it
can increase swelling and bleeding if used any
earlier.
-
For one week, eat only soft foods, such as baby food,
gelatin, cooked cereal, ice cream, applesauce, bananas,
eggs, pasta, cottage cheese, soups, and yogurt. Your diet
should be as well-balanced as
possible.
-
For about 6 weeks, do not open your mouth wide when
you yawn, bite large pieces of food, scream or yell, sing,
or call out loudly.
-
If you need to yawn, put your fist under your chin to
keep you mouth from opening up too
wide.
-
For the first few days, you may need to wear a
bandage to hold the jaw in place.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You still have jaw pain after taking your pain
medication.
-
You think you have popped your jaw out of place
again.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You have trouble breathing.
-
You get a rash, swelling, or redness after taking
your medicine.
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