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How can you care for your child's dislocated jaw?
- Give pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
- If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Try using heat or ice to see if that helps. Use an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Put a thin cloth between the ice pack and your child's skin. Or try a heating pad on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
- If your child's jaw is swollen, try putting three or four pillows under your child's head and shoulders at bedtime. This can reduce swelling.
- Give your child soft foods that are easy to chew to reduce jaw and mouth pain. Avoid giving your child hot foods or beverages, which may increase swelling around the mouth.
- Help your child avoid any activity that might hurt the jaw again. Teach your child how to support the jaw with their hands when yawning or sneezing for at least 3 weeks after the injury.
Dislocated jaw: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have trouble breathing.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have trouble swallowing.
- Your mouth is bleeding.
- You have new or worse pain.
- You can't close your mouth all the way.
- Your bite doesn't line up the way it used to.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not get better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.