Broken jaws hurt – ask Ann Coulter

Forty-seven year old political commentator Ann Coulter has had to have her jaw wired shut after breaking it in a fall. She’s a very controversial personality and while some people are actually pleased with this turn of events (so they can’t hear her), it’s really not something I’d wish on anyone.

Have you hit your jaw really hard ever? It hurts and it can hurt a lot. So imagine what a fracture jaw may feel like. According to statistics, jaw fractures are the second most common facial injury, after broken noses. The lower part of the jaw, that part that is usually broken, is called the mandible.

Although a broken jaw can be very painful, there are times when they don’t really hurt, but instead there may be numbness of the chin or lower lip. This is caused if nerve is damaged. Other people notice something is wrong if their teeth no longer meet up as they used to or they can’t open their mouth as they should be able to.

The treatment for a broken jaw is wiring. The jaw is actually wired to the upper part so that it doesn’t move. However, if the break is severe, surgery may be needed to repair the jaw first.

Of course, having your jaw wired shut will affect your eating, your speaking, and your mouth care (cleaning your teeth). If your jaw is wired, you’ll only be able to consume foods that can be blended to the consistency of a milk shake. It’s vital that you be sure to get the right amount of vitamins and nutrients even if you can’t eat properly. Usually, six small meals every day are better than three large ones.

Caring for your mouth can be tricky. Your gums will be at high risk for infection, so you need to keep your mouth as clean as possible. People with wired jaws have found that the smallest, child-sized toothbrushes are best in this case. Be gentle, but thorough. If you have stitches, be extra careful. Some dentists recommend that you brush, rinse your mouth with salt water, and then brush again.

You may find that the wires in your jaw scratch and irritate your cheeks and lips. If this happens, there is special wax that you can get – it’s what people with braces use – to help protect your cheeks and lips.

There are other issues you need to think about. If you become sick and need to vomit, this can be serious – you don’t want to choke on the vomit. Lean forward to let it come up and out. Then be sure to rinse your mouth well and to brush your teeth again.

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