DISLOCATED JAW

If a person opens their mouth wide and then is unable to close it, we say the jaw is dislocated. It is stuck in the open position. This problem often happens to a person who does not have several of her back teeth. When opened wide to yawn or shout, the part of the jaw that joins the head moves too far forward inside the joint. It is then unable to return to its normal position.

• Unable to close teeth together.
• Cannot close lips easily.
• Lower jaw looks long and pointed.
• It hurts when you press on the joint in front of the ear.
• Cannot speak clearly.

TREATMENT:

The treatment is to try to move the lower jaw back where it belongs. Then hold it in that position until the muscles can relax.

1.  Find a way to support the person's head. For example, have the person sit on the floor with her head against a wall.

2.  Kneel in front of the patient. Put your fingers under the jaw, outside the mouth. Put your thumbs beside the last molar tooth on each side. Do not put your thumbs on the molars. The person may bite them!

Press down hard with the ends of your thumbs. Force the jaw to move quickly down and back into position. Be sure to press down before you press back.

If the jaw will not move, perhaps the muscles are too tight. A doctor or dentist can put the person to sleep, which will relax the muscles.

3.  Support the jaw with a head-and-chin bandage for 3 to 4 days.

4.  Give aspirin for pain.

5.  Explain the problem to the person and tell her how to care for her jaw:

• (1) eat mostly soft foods for 2 weeks;
• (2) hold a warm wet cloth against the jaw;
• (3) remember not to open the mouth wide anymore. If possible, replace the missing back teeth with dentures