What are the symptoms and treatments for a broken jaw?

A broken jaw occurs when the jawbone (mandible) fractures due to an impact. This type of injury is common after falls, car accidents, or sports injuries. A broken jaw can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the jaw, and may require medical attention to ensure proper healing.

What does a broken jaw feel like?

A broken jaw can cause a variety of symptoms. If you think you may have a broken jaw, get medical attention so that you can be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Symptoms of a broken jaw can include:

• Pain, bruising, or swelling along the jawline
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Difficulty opening the mouth or chewing
• Breathing problems
• Misaligned teeth or bite
• Loose or missing teeth
• Numbness or tingling in the lower lip or chin, indicating possible nerve damage

What are the causes of a broken jaw?

There are many potential causes of a broken jaw. Injury to the face that results in a broken jaw can be due to:

• Falls or accidents
• Hitting your chin hard on the floor or concrete
• Car crashes, particularly hitting the dashboard
• Sports injuries
• Physical altercations, such as getting punched in the jaw

What is the treatment for a broken jaw?

Treatment of a broken jaw depends on the type of injury. Minor fractures may heal on their own, or they may require the jaw to be wired shut to heal. After the wires are placed, it may take 2 to 8 weeks until they can be removed. Severe fractures might need surgery with metal plates and screws.

Pain relief and antibiotics are often prescribed to prevent infection, particularly if the skin is broken or teeth are damaged. In severe cases, a tube may be placed into your airway if you are having breathing problems from the injury.

While your jaw is healing, you may need to eat soft foods or be on a liquid diet.

Are there long-term effects from a broken jaw?

In most cases, especially when the jaw fracture is treated promptly, the bone can heal and there are no long-term problems. However, there is sometimes a risk of infection that can interfere with proper healing. Nerve damage is also possible from the injury, which can take many weeks or even months to heal.