How to Effectively Manage Jaw Injuries: Treatment, Prevention, and Much More

Prologue

Are you worried the swelling on your face is a jaw injury? You must be going through extreme pain while moving the mouth and can feel a tingling sensation around the lips. If that’s the case maybe let’s prepare you for managing your jaw injuries effectively till you visit an expert.  Now every dentist in Edmonton has observed people generally don’t realize how worse the injury has developed into. On top of that, when people carry out their daily routine it affects their way of living. So let’s understand everything about jaw injuries, shall we?

What Are Jaw Injuries and Their Impact?

A swift blunt force trauma to the face may result in a severe jaw injury. Run your fingers from the side of your head towards your chin, the mouth mechanics are separated by two bones. Your jaw is composed of two moving bones; the lower jaw is called the mandible and the upper is the maxilla. Now both of these bones are connected at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). 

A simple untreated crack in one of the bones (mandible & maxilla) results in an extremely painful jaw injury. It hinders the ability to move your jaw naturally. Let’s simplify it. When you chew, close, or open your mouth and it hurts badly you might be experiencing an early stage of a jaw fracture. 

• What are the common causes of Jaw injuries?
  • Accidents: At the industrial workplace, on icy sidewalks, vehicular, or major falls. 

• • Assaults: Physical violence caused by blunt force trauma to the face resulting in jaw injuries.

• • Sports Injuries: While playing hockey, rugby, or football which require physical movements. An unseen mishap may lead to a terrible jaw fracture.
• What are the Impacts of Jaw Injuries on your daily lives?
  • You experience difficulty in speaking, eating, or even opening your mouth.
  • It limits your mobility too as jaw injuries are extremely traumatic and need utmost care.
  • An understated impact is jaw injury will lead to damaged teeth. You end up with an infection, tooth decay, or even tooth loss.

What Are the Different Types of Jaw Injuries?

As previously discussed in the above section jaw injuries generally involve TMJ. Upon exploring various jaw injuries you may find below mentioned are primary kinds.

• Broken Jawbone or Fracture: Due to unexpected accidents when your lower jawbone takes a forced trauma it results in a fractured jaw.
• Dislocated jaw: Let’s put it simply. The connection between your skull and jawbone is pushed out of position. The upper and lower jaw don’t perfectly align, and you experience difficulty properly closing your mouth.
• Temporomandibular(TMJ) disorder: You start to feel extreme pain between your jaw joints. As it affects the joint connecting your skull and jawbone, you may experience difficulty in opening or closing your mouth. 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Jaw Injuries?

Apart from the types of injuries, we want to ensure you don’t overlook your injury symptoms. One should have common knowledge to find out if your jaw is broken. The symptoms also talk about the difficulties one faces due to different injuries. Common symptoms include:

• Bleeding in severe jaw fractures.
• Misalignment of teeth.
• Pain and swelling around your jawbone.
• Difficulty or pain while eating and chewing.
• Restricts your natural mouth movement.
• Limits your speaking abilities. 
• You may feel clicking sounds between your skull and jawbone.

Have you experienced any of the following symptoms? Please seek out an emergency dentist in Edmonton. 

What Immediate Actions Should You Take for a Jaw Injury?

Jaw injuries are often associated with sports, where there are expert medics. The guidelines will help you to be ready for extreme scenarios. Please take care while following these simple yet effective steps.

Steps to Follow to Carefully Handle a Jaw Injury
Step 1	Immobilize the Jaw: Support the jaw and head to avoid any kind of movement. It will allow them to attain a comfortable position
Step 2	Apply Cold Compress: If you have rapid swelling apply cold compress. It will reduce inflammation.
Step 3	Seek Medical Attention: A broken jaw is a serious injury, and seeking emergency care must be your top priority.

How Are Jaw Injuries Treated and Managed?

Seeking medical attention during jaw injuries is your topmost priority. The broken jaw makes breathing formidable, hence proper care is important in severe scenarios.

Stages of Treating and Managing Jaw Injuries
Phase 1 – Consulting an Expert	An expert will determine the severity of the jaw injury by conducting an X-ray examination. Although post-examination your physician will likely recommend a dentist. For more information refer to phase 3.
Phase 2, Case 1 – Minor Fracture	Treatment for minor jaw injury includes: Wrapping Bandage to support your head and jaw. Medication to ease the pain and swelling. Avoiding the movement of the head as well as the jaw.
Phase 2, Case 2 – More Severe Fracture	Treatment for major jaw injury includes: The physician will suggest a wire or elastic bands to lock your jaw. The extra precaution is for effective healing. The wire will keep your jaw closed and in a properly aligned position. You will have to wear them for around six weeks. A liquid diet is recommended during this phase until you can chew solid food.
Phase 3 – Why Consult a Dentist?	A dentist has expertise in understanding your injury as they know about oral cavities, jaw structure, and other related issues. They will check for tooth replacement, broken teeth, or oral injuries. Determine whether you face chewing issues, and examine your jaw alignment. A few treatments include bite correction, dental splints, and other dental procedures.

When you are unsure of the extremity of a jaw injury and seek medical attention, consulting a local dentist is the right move. For instance, if you live in Edmonton, seeking emergency dentist in Edmonton is an optimum choice. Local dentists can provide you with a wide range of benefits. They are convenient, have familiarity with your dental history, and can provide immediate assistance with consistent treatment.

How Can Jaw Injuries Be Prevented?

We don’t want you to go through the traumatic experience of a jaw injury. People often overlook how drastically it changes the way you live. Preventing a jaw injury depends upon the scenario or situation you are facing. Let’s go through the scenarios and prevention real quick.

• If you are a sports person, wear protective gear; a mouthguard and helmets. This is a precautionary measure to build a safe environment.
• Always wear a seatbelt while driving, which allows you to avoid facial injuries during rapid impact.
• Practice and maintain good oral hygiene.

Need Emergency Care? Visit Manchester Dental Clinic in Edmonton

The most optimum prevention is making sure you don’t miss out on your regular dental checkups. Moreover, if you are unsure of your symptoms, or injuries, or have questions always make sure to consult a dentist in Edmonton. We can guide you through the preventions, procedures, and medications. Every jaw injury case requires a specific type of treatment plan depending on your bone structure, hence consulting an expert is an effective approach. Happy healthy living!