Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Broken OR Dislocated Jaw
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the injury?
A broken or dislocated jaw requires immediate medical attention. Some people with jaw fractures will have bleeding and difficulty breathing. Other first aid steps include the following:
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Treatment for a dislocated or broken jaw is often painful. If wiring is done, a person could vomit and choke on the vomited material. For this reason, people are nearly always given wire cutters.
Infection of the gums and bone where the wires are placed is also possible. A lesser concern is weight loss and lack of nutrition because of the difficulty of chewing food while the jaws are wired shut. High-calorie shakes and foods that do not require chewing can be used.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
After the jaw has been repaired, the person should be particularly careful when yawning and sneezing. If the jaw is broken, soft foods should be eaten.
It is important to make sure that risky situations are avoided to prevent the injury from happening again. Once the jaw has healed and the wires have been removed, some people will experience pain in their temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. A healthcare professional can prescribe pain medications and exercises to help reduce pain.