Jaw Surgery Tips

Before You Leave the Hospital

• You MUST have the doctor draw a picture of how the rubber band are supposed to be arranged. When we got to post-op, someone had already changed the orientation of the rubber bands. This happened because the muscle spasms in the jaw pop the bands off. Someone put them back on incorrectly. We only found this out because they popped off again in recovery and the doctor had to be called. If they are in the wrong orientation, they will pull the jaw into alignment that was not intended and it will heal in the wrong alignment.

• You want to get that rubber band tool, mentioned below, ordered ASAP. You may not have muscle spasms; but, if you do, you will be putting these rubber bands back on constantly during the first day and it’s going to be a very hard thing to do to your bruised, swollen and bloody loved one. A tool is easier than fingers.

Our Post Surgery Instructions

These are here for our personal reference. You need to do what your doctor prescribes.

• mouthwash 2x daily
• saltwater rinse (reduces inflammation, promotes healing and kills bacteria)
• antibiotics 3x per day
• ice today to eat
• gums, jaw mouth will be sore
• our stitches were dissolvable
• liquid diet six weeks
• avoid straws one week because of incision

Things You’ll Need to Buy

It’s bizarre doctors don’t tell you these things but the following list are items you will need for both comfort and healing. Cleaning your mouth with your jaw broken is a huge challenge. More than bad breath, bacteria causes inflammation and infection. It is crucial to keep the bacteria load in your mouth at low levels.

• Rubber Band Tool and Flashlight – you will need this to put the rubber bands back on. Using your fingers will be more painful.
• Skinny Brush like for braces: i.e. Dentek Slim Brush. These are for around the screws and teeth.
• Floss Toothpicks for between the teeth.
• Mouthwash Paper Strips – these are great if your jaw is wired shut.
• Water Pik – This is the only way you can clean effectively.
• A good blender to make smoothies. (Fruits, Veggies, Chia/Flax Seed Powder, etc)
• Protein Powder – Make sure to get enough protein or else muscle loss is a real concern.

Other Concerns

It is possible that the body will try and absorb the screws that go into the jawbone. It looks like swelling around the screw but it may actually be the gums trying to grow around it. I know of nothing you can do to stop this.

Depending on where the break is located, the screws may have to be burrowed into the root of a tooth. Only time will tell if the tooth will survive.