“What is the fastest way to heal a broken jaw?”
My friend just broke his jaw and he is in pain. What is the fastest way to heal a broken jaw?
4 Answers
Assuming your friend is in the care of an oral surgeon, there is no way to get a jaw fracture to heal faster other than avoid smoking, eat a good, protein-plentiful diet, and get adequate rest/sleep. Bones take while to heal.
I wish there was an easy way... It all depends on how immobile his jaw can ge. The more immobile his jaw, the faster it gets healed!
Generally, a broken jaw needs to be stabilized. Your friend should be seen by an oral surgeon right away for assessment. After stabilization, a soft food diet for a minimum of 7 days is recommended. Like any bone, it will take several months to fully heal.
• Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Keep a small pair of wire cutters with you for emergencies. Use them to cut the wires if you choke, vomit, or have trouble breathing.
• Put ice or a cold pack on your jaw for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• You may be able to chew a soft diet, or you may have to drink your meals through a straw.
• Avoid any activity that might re-injure your jaw.
• Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:
• You have signs of infection, such as:
o Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
o Red streaks leading from the area.
o Pus draining from the area.
o A fever.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Keep a small pair of wire cutters with you for emergencies. Use them to cut the wires if you choke, vomit, or have trouble breathing.
• Put ice or a cold pack on your jaw for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• You may be able to chew a soft diet, or you may have to drink your meals through a straw.
• Avoid any activity that might re-injure your jaw.
• Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:
• You have signs of infection, such as:
o Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
o Red streaks leading from the area.
o Pus draining from the area.
o A fever.
