How long does it take to recover from a broken jaw?

[CRL]

My husband broke his jaw on Oct 5th and is scheduled to get his wires off on Nov 14th with the arch bars staying in for a while. Can you start eating again when you have the arch bars? How long until it is completely comfortable eating?

[gogo]

I also have my arch bars still, but had the wires out last week. My experience is that the arch bars are very uncomfortable, causing tenderness and pain in my gums. It is worse when I try to eat and the food puts pressure on the bars, pushing them further into my gums. And the heavy duty wire they used to attach the wires to are still there and they poke me in the inside of my mouth all the time, including when I talk, laugh, blow my nose, or eat. So if they could remove the braided wire pokeys (sorry, dont' have a better description) he might have an easier time.

Yes, you can eat. I still find it's hard to open my mouth big enough to get it around a banana. So I eat bananas at an angle now. And I refrain from chewing much.

Good food ideas with arch bars are: bananas, rice, ground beef, soft or shredded cheese, pudding, yogurt, pancakes, scrambled eggs, pasta, canned veggies (softer than fresh or frozen), ice cream, bread, soft pizza (thick crust/pan) but parts of the crust might be too hard - suggest microwaving it unstead of oven baking - it will soften it up, thin meat hamburgers like mcDonalds, but must be cut into very fine pieces.

I also find that crumbly food like the ground beef is easy since you don' t have to chew, but it is also frustrating because it's hard to control since it's in a bunch of pieces, so little pieces get stuck in my bars and I can't seem to get them out with my tongue.

A water pic is a MUST. I use mine after every meal. Good luck

[psilbers]

I broke my jaw on September 12th, 2008 and I must say it was quite an experience. I have broken wrists, ankles and legs in my lifetime but none of these injuries compare to a fractured jaw.

I was involved in an incident where I was punched in the jaw, and needless to say this made the recovery period mentally taxing as well. After receiving surgery to repair my jaw, I was told by my doctor that I would have my mouth wired shut for 4 weeks, and then have rubber bands for another 4 weeks. Because I am a college student enrolled in a busy schedule of classes, I was devastated to hear that I would be missing out on so much.

The first week is obviously the hardest. The feeling of having your mouth wired shut is unsettling at first and there is a lot of pain depending on the severity of your injury. In my opinion, the hardest part for me was not being able to communicate like I once was able to do.

Another setback is the lack of eating, which is another challenge to overcome. Some people get really creative with a blender, but at the end of the day everything you intake is going to be liquid, so at a certain point all you can do is strive for different flavors. Ultimately, I just liquified various soups for meals. Another great thing to try is a mix that I made up myself that is comprised of two scoops of chocolate protein powder, a chocolate Ensure and around 12 ounces of ice. This makes for a really good milk shake and also allows you to get a ton of protein. Keep in mind this has to be mixed, so make sure you invest in a good blender.

Getting the wires out was one of the best feelings of my life, but I promise you that the journey is not nearly over yet. The arch bars are very sharp and I had some problems with them cutting my gums, especially while eating. I didn't really start any normal eating habits until I get my arch bars out, so I would recommend sticking with the liquid diet for a few weeks after.

Once the arch bars are out, things really begin to improve. You can slowly begin to start eating solid foods, communication in uninhibited and you have your smile back. Believe me when I say you won't be able to open your move nearly as much as you once could, but even opening it up a little allows you to eat virtually anything as long as it can be broken up into smaller pieces and is not too hard or chewy.

Today is October 31, 2008 and I still have my fractured jaw in the back of my mind. It is a traumatic experience to break your jaw, and it will stay with you in some form for months, maybe years. Nevertheless, be assured that you will have return to a normal life and that the healing process, while incredibly frustrating, is only temporary. For those of you who feel hopeless about the whole healing process, take it from me that there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will be able to eat, speak and smile just as well as you once could.

[smackdibblynuts]

i broke my jaw on the 11 of oct. i got in fight and it seems these days guys cant fight their own battles so the kid got his brother and a tongan to finish what he could'nt. anyway mine is broken on the right side by my wisdom teeth and on the left side of my chin plates on the chin and it is wired shut for six weeks. i have three weeks left and cant wait. i look almost normal other than a little swelling right where both the breaks are. i noticed my teeth are starting to move from the wires pulling on them. i've had a lot of injuries in my short 24 years including other serious facial fractures (i gotta stop gettin in fights) and nothing compares to how bad a broken jaw sucks. they gave me a suringe to eat out of but i found that using a little bottle kinda like an old ketchup bottle with a spout on the end works way better. i've been eating protein shakes and soup and even chili just get a good blender today i blended up some mashed potato's and gravy and went to wingers and got some wings threw them in with the potatos it made for a pretty good mix and felt like i was eating normal food so i highly recommend trying that. try chili too you can even throw a hot dog in with the chili if you have a good blender. this is by far one of the worst thins i've ever been through and im sure it is for anyone that has a broken jaw just try and stay active to pass the time and keep ya head up

[gogo]

I am now going on 2 weeks after the arch bars have been removed. I had a bad break - both joints (one on each side) were completely severed and another break on the right side between my molars. They repaired the right side with 2 plates, and allowed the left side to heal on it's own since the bone was was shattered and unreparable. I was wired for 3 weeks, and used rubber bands for 2 more weeks.

I also had significant nerve damage to the right side of my face - unable to feel sensation from my ear to my mid-chin and from my cheekbone down to my jaw bone. I also lost all movement of my right eyebrow/forehead and my right eyelid is not as responsive as it should be. I also had a very crooked smile due to the right upper lip being unresponsive.

I have noticed that since the arch bars are out, and I'm free to move without the horrible poking from those dang things, I have had some sensation return (in the form of tingling and occasional shooting pains), and I have gained back most of the use of my upper lip. However the eye area remains a problem, as does the general numbness.

Also, since I had broken BOTH sides of my jaw, and it was not at all anchored to my head when I got into surgury, I have found that my bite is completely screwed up. My jaw goes to the left when I open wide (which is only about 30 mm for me now - not even enough to fit a banana into my mouth). I have developed what my densist calls an "open bite" where my molars hit first, and prevent my front teeth from coming together. When I was wired shut, my bite was correct, so the shifting must have happened since unwiring, and since that left side is still loose to move.

Anyway, just wanted to update you all. I'm happy that my smile isn't so scary now. However, the nerve damage is going to create one heck of a road ahead of me.

[fracture hell]

Thought I'd post here, since everyone else's posts have helped me. feel almost guilty posting, as my case is minor compared to everyones. Fell off my bike mid aug. and got a closed fracture of the condylar mandible. Stitches in chin (that part hit 1st) and turned my head at the last moment before hitting side of head in the street. Lost some hearing- was bad for a week- could barely hear our of right ear. Permanent hearing loss is only 5%. Knocked a tooth in half. My bite was ok, so no wiring. On the film, the break was ALMOST all the way thru my jaw. Guess I got lucky. Lower lip was weird for awhile. Unfortunately, my medical care has been at a "teaching" hospital and interns- not real doctors- who know not a whole lot- have overseen my case- I didn't know I was supposed to have physical therapy until last week. It's now TWELVE weeks after and I have trismus. Jaw opens way over to the right. Looks crazy. I also speak with a slight lisp- my S's are messed up. Anyway, began jaw exercises & have seen improvement. Apparently the next 3 months will tell me if it will ever seem normal again. I have had much difficulty getting information on anything- google has been a blessing. To anyone reading this: you have to really advocate for yourself and try to see a real doctor. I've had to insist on getting information- they think they can spend 5 minutes and call that medical care. I fired the intern and now will only get seen by the real doc., who should have been paying attention to the time frame for phys. therapy. I had no clue I was supposed to even get it and that it will make a huge difference. Can open jaw more now but eating's still a drag (i know, at least I GET to eat). Will be using therabite or the newer model- tongue depressors for now. Studies vary on efficacy of those sticks....stay strong, everyone. Be pushy- it's YOUR jaw you have to live with the rest of your life, not theirs. =)

[Rickitta.]

i broke my jaw last wednesday when i was hit by a car...my mouth is wired on both sides but i can still talk. The left side of my face is swollen and i had to get stitches on my lower lip and chin.My doctor said my wires only have to stay on for a couple of weeks.I have an appointment on Thursday.Im hoping for very good news.

[Mr. P]

I broke my jaw 7 weeks ago, a hare line fracture on the right and a complete brake on the left. But I must say I’ve been reading about the healing process and how long it will take and I think it depends on how bad the brake was.
My jaw was wired as well and it toke me only 1 week after the wires were removed to open my month half way and it's getting stronger by the day. I find that by doing a simple exercise like opening and closing my month for like an hour a day made the muscle stronger. There mite some pain by doing so but that’s part of the healing process. I'm able to eat solids and the sensitivity is most gone.
So, guy's just hang in there the healing mite be slow but you will recover completely.

[Lyudmil]

Today I got into a fist fight. At first it was red, now its swollen. Its not too bad and I want to know if its a possible fracture/brake...

Thanks I need advice!!

[dmasjz42]

first i want to say this is a wonderful site, and it's good to know you're not alone...i'm a 21 year old college student, and had my jaw broken after being sucker punched and jumped by three 250lb bouncers at a bar (didn't even do anything - all three have felonies now).

PLEASE READ THIS IF YOU HAVE YET TO HAVE SURGERY ON YOUR BROKEN JAW AT A HOSPITAL:

anyway, i had a temporary wire to close my jaw for 4 days until i got back home to see a surgeon. i have three breaks, one near the hinge (on the angle for med people). the hospital told me i would need plates and might have to have the outside of my face cut open (small incision) to put it in. i was a little feared by this, but scheduled the surgery with the hospital anyway. this was the weekend before thanksgiving that it was broken (Worst time to not be able to eat). they wanted to do the surgery the day before thanksgiving (wesnesday) and fearing the phone call to my parents i almost went through it without them knowing. i eventually gathered the courage to call them when i got out of the hospital that night, and after seeing one of the best oral surgeons in the country he proceeded to tell me i did not need plates or surgery, that the jaw simply need to be wired shut for 4 weeks. he said the residents in the hospital have an acronym MRE (maximum resident exposure), and they sort of trick people into things that will benefit THEM the most. the surgeon also told me by having the actual surgery if it isn't needed you can run the risk of having PERMANENT nerve numbess. Boy was i glad to go to a private practice. I felt mislead by the hospital. enough of that anyway....

Now it's been 2 weeks since i've been wired shut, almost three since the accident. The first week is the worst, especially with the temp wires during the first 3 days before surgery, allowing the jaw to move around and cause excruciating pain. the initial shock of the accident, not being able to eat, and all that eventually subsides after about a week. I had braces for over 2 years when i was a kid too, and I'm still scared to death my bite will never be the same. I've lost about 5 pounds so far, and used to lift heavy weights at the gym 3 times a week. I've come to accept I wont have much muscle left at the end of this. I for one, cannot do any foods liquefied in the blender. Perhaps this is because turkey from thanksgiving and chicken broth was just disgusting and I refuse to try anything else.

I try to brush my teeth 3 times a day, and use mouthwash many more then that. I notice the mouth stays much drier, causing bad breath quicker then normal (Have to stay fresh for the girlfriend). I have noticed the inside of the teeth gather plaque that will stay until seeing a dentist when you're done. Mouthwash doesn't completely take care of it. I have also noticed the tongue is getting rougher, probably due to no solids touching it, especially brushing the tongue.

For those that can't seem to keep on weight, go to your local GNC or vitamin store and buy a WEIGHT GAINER. be sure to mix it with whole milk. lots of protein, 600 calories in a glass, and fat from the milk. this will limit your weight loss and the amount of drinks a day you will have to consume (since the powder is loaded with calories). you will still want to drink several ensures/boost a day, to get the rest of necessary vitamins.

I will post again in a few weeks on the experience.

Let me just say one more thing, for those of you that think this is the end of the world and you just can't go through this one more day:

I had my jaw broken days before thanksgiving. I couldn't enjoy thanksgiving dinner, won't be able to enjoy christmas, or even my 22nd birthday on January 3. I am also an engineering student, and this happened 2 weeks before finals, and the biggest assignments of the year due a week after this happened. But you know what? Instead of sitting there complaining, there is nothing you can do about it. You need to think positive, stay motivated, and plan what you will do and eat when this is over. I said when this first happened, "OK, 5 weeks of ****." But you start to think about it, after 2 weeks, you have 3 left. After 3 weeks, you have 2 left. And you start to look up. Take it day by day, you will be fine. I pushed myself to study through all this, and have confidence I will do fine on my finals. Yes it's a little harder to concentrate, but you can't let this put you behind, and I refused to drop out of classes and take everything over again. Especially the punks that attacked me, I'm not going to let them get the best of me. On top of all this stress, I have to sit around on the weekends while everyone parties, have to worry about testifying in court now, and have to worry about sueing the bar that hired scum-bag bouncers. If I can get through all this, so can you. THINK POSITIVE, YOU CAN DO THIS.