What happens if you break your chin bone?
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What happens if you break your chin bone?
You may experience the most pain and tenderness when chewing or speaking. If you have a severe jaw fracture, you might experience limited ability to move your jaw or be unable to move your jaw at all. Numbness and bruising in the face and gums are also normal to have if your jaw is fractured or broken.
Can you break bones in your chin?
Like other bones in the body, the jawbone can experience a fracture (broken bone). You can also dislocate the jawbone. A dislocation means the lower jawbone moves out of one of the two temporomandibular joints (TMJ) that connect the mandible to the skull.
How long does it take for a broken chin to heal?
Take antibiotics as instructed and follow all diet recommendations. With treatment, a broken jaw will typically heal in a month or two. While your dislocated jaw is healing, you should try not to open your mouth very wide for several weeks.
Is a broken jaw an emergency?
A person with a broken or dislocated jaw needs medical attention right away. This is because they may have breathing problems or bleeding. Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or a local hospital for further advice.
How do you tell if your chin is fractured?
Symptoms
- Pain in the face or jaw, located in front of the ear or on the affected side, that gets worse with movement.
- Bruising and swelling of the face, bleeding from the mouth.
- Difficulty chewing.
- Jaw stiffness, difficulty opening the mouth widely, or problem closing the mouth.
- Jaw moving to one side when opening.
How do you treat a broken chin?
Surgery is often needed for moderate to severe fractures. The jaw may be wired to the teeth of the opposite jaw to keep the jaw stable while it heals. Jaw wires are usually left in place for 6 to 8 weeks. Small rubber bands (elastics) are used to hold the teeth together.
How do you know if you broke your chin?
Bruising and swelling of the face, bleeding from the mouth. Difficulty chewing. Jaw stiffness, difficulty opening the mouth widely, or problem closing the mouth. Jaw moving to one side when opening.
How do you sleep with a broken jaw?
It is recommended that you sleep with your head on two or three pillows. This helps to decrease the swelling in your face and also will make it easier for you to breathe.
Can a person talk with a broken jaw?
Although many patients with a jawbone fracture often have temporary problems of eating (chewing) and talking, these complications usually resolve over time (days to weeks) with no further complications with appropriate treatment.
How do you tell if your chin is broken?
Symptoms of a broken jaw include:
- Pain in the face or jaw, located in front of the ear or on the affected side, that gets worse with movement.
- Bruising and swelling of the face, bleeding from the mouth.
- Difficulty chewing.
- Jaw stiffness, difficulty opening the mouth widely, or problem closing the mouth.
What should you do if you fall on your chin?
Immobilize the jaw by wrapping a cloth bandage under the chin and securing it over the top of the head. Ensure the bandage can be easily removed in case you become nauseous. Apply ice to control swelling until the injury can be evaluated by a dentist or physician.
Can you brush your teeth with a broken jaw?
Generally speaking, your mouth will not be wired together therefore it is easier to brush your teeth. If you are wearing elastics and a plastic splint then you can brush with no problem. Once the splint is taken out of your mouth in a week you can take the rubber bands out to rinse and brush your teeth.
