The jaw is a key part of the human body involved in functions such as speaking, eating, and drinking. When the jaw cracks and hurts due to injury, it makes it difficult to perform these regular activities. The pain may range from mild to severe, and can be accompanied by swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the jaw or opening your mouth.
If you experience jaw pain and cracking, you should seek out immediate emergency dental care to address the issue. In the meantime, there are some emergency steps you can take to manage the pain and make it easier to function:
1. Apply Cold Compresses
One of the first emergency steps you can take when experiencing jaw pain is to apply a cold compress to the affected area. The cold temperature will help to reduce the swelling and inflammation, and can help to mitigate some of the pain. Apply a cold pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth to the affected area for 10-15 minutes at a time, and repeat the treatment every couple of hours.
2. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
If the pain is severe, an over-the-counter pain relief medication may be helpful in reducing symptoms. Options such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help to reduce the inflammation and make it easier to function until you can seek out emergency dental care. Remember to follow the packaging instructions for the correct dosage.
3. Minimize Movement of Jaw
Until you are able to see a dental professional, try to minimize the amount of movement that is occurring in your jaw. Resting the jaw can help to alleviate some of the pain and pressure, and may also help to prevent further injury.
4. Keep Hydrated
It’s important to stay hydrated when dealing with any type of injury. Drinking plenty of water can help to reduce inflammation, as well as help to replenish the nutrients and electrolytes that may have been lost due to injury.
5. Seek Medical Attention
For any instance in which you are experiencing jaw pain and cracking, it is important to seek out emergency dental care. A qualified dentist will be able to perform an examination to determine the underlying cause of the jaw pain and provide the appropriate treatment to address the issue.
In severe cases where the jaw has sustained a fracture, it is important that the injury is assessed as soon as possible. A fracture to the jaw can be very painful, and may result in long-term damage if not assessed and treated in a timely manner.
Experiencing a crack in the jaw along with pain and swelling can be very concerning, and should not be ignored. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek out emergency dental care as soon as possible to properly address the issue. In the meantime, follow the steps listed above to help manage the pain and make it easier to function.
