Precautions After A Jaw Fracture

Oral Hygiene During This Phase

One of the most difficult things to do during this phase of healing is to ensure that your mouth remains clean and disease free. The use of a soft toothbrush gently around the surface of the teeth as well as the wires is a must to ensure that food debris does not stay lodged in the wires.

Your doctor is almost certain to prescribe you toothpaste that will have a high amount of fluoride for use during this period. Antibacterial mouthwashes are also of great use in maintaining oral hygiene.

There may be incisions in the mouth where the surgery for bone plating was performed. This area should be kept free from toothbrush trauma.

The lips will be dry and cracked as a result of all the stretching and pulling during the procedure as well as the anesthesia and reduced tongue movement. Applying Vaseline to the corner of the licks will help them remain moist and prevent cracking.

Avoid Strenuous Physical Activity 

While there is no need to be on bed rest for the entire duration of the expected 6 weeks of recovery, a fairly low amount of physical activity is preferred for the first two weeks after the procedure. Following this initial phase, normal activities can be resumed but any sporting activity, heavy lifting, aerobics, yoga or other such activities should be strictly avoided.

Not only will they painful to perform but the jarring movements will delay healing.

Reduced Mouth Opening Following Removal Of Wires

Once the wires holding the jaw together have been removed, patients will notice that their mouth opening has been reduced. It will also be painful to try and open their open mouth fully or exert any kind of pressure on them.

The specific nature of the injury makes it necessary for some amount of ‘guiding elastics’ to remain in the mouth after the wires have been removed to help retrain the jaw in its normal movements.

The mouth opening will recover over a period of time on its own or with the help of certain mouth physiotherapy exercises.

Prepare For Emergencies

In rare cases, there may be an emergency, like choking, that requires quick removal of the wires from the jaw. Patients or their attendees should keep scissors handy at all times in order to prepare for such a situation. The doctor will guide you as to what is the best way to go about such a thing during the time of fixing the wires.

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Don’t Miss Follow Up visits

Your doctor will schedule regular follow-up visits to ensure that the healing is going as progressed and patients should treat these visits with the utmost importance.

Conclusion

Jaw fractures are extremely difficult for patients because they require a drastic alteration in some of the things we take for granted like eating, chewing and even talking. It is imperative that all the instructions be followed as per the letter since the consequences of not doing so can lead to long term and permanent damage.