According to a study from Brazil, “Recent epidemiologic studies suggest that inflammation is the link between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular complications (see also Periodontitis). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment on plasma levels of inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-6, C-reactive protein [CRP], and fibrinogen) in patients with severe periodontitis and refractory arterial hypertension.”

“Twenty-two patients were examined and randomly divided into two groups. The test group was composed of 11 patients (mean age, 48.9 +/- 3.9 years) who received periodontal treatment, whereas the control group had 11 patients (mean age, 49.7 +/- 6.0 years) whose treatment was delayed for 3 months. Demographic and clinical periodontal data were collected, and blood tests were performed to measure the levels of IL-6, CRP, and fibrinogen at baseline and 3 months later. The clinical results showed that the mean percentages of sites with bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD) 4 to 5 mm, PD >= 6 mm, clinical attachment loss (CAL) 4 to 5 mm, and CAL >= 6 mm were significantly reduced in the test group 3 months after periodontal treatment. There were no significant differences between the data at baseline and 3 months in the control group. Periodontal treatment significantly reduced the blood levels of fibrinogen, CRP, and IL-6 in the test group,” wrote F. Vidal and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: “Non-surgical periodontal therapy was effective in improving periodontal clinical data and in reducing the plasma levels of IL-6, CRP, and fibrinogen in hypertensive patients with severe periodontitis. J Periodontol 2009;80:786-791.”

Vidal and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Periodontology (Periodontal Therapy Reduces Plasma Levels of Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein, and Fibrinogen in Patients With Severe Periodontitis and Refractory Arterial Hypertension. Journal of Periodontology, 2009;80(5):786-791).

For more information, contact R.G. Fischer, University of Estado Rio De Janeiro, Faculty Odontology, Dept. of Periodontology, Blvd. 28 Setembro, 157 Vila Isabel, BR-20551030 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Periodontology is: American Acad Periodontology, 737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60611-2690, USA.

Keywords: Brazil, Biotechnology, C Reactive Protein, Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Clinical Trial Research, Hypertension, Inflammation, Periodontal Disease, Periodontitis, Periodontology, Proteomics, Therapy, Treatment.

This article was prepared by Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week via NewsRx.com.

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M2 PRESSWIRE-June 29, 2009-US NAVY: Kitsap Service Members Volunteer at Local Dental Clinic

(C)1994-2009 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Maebel Tinoko, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Detachment Northwest

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) — Service members assigned to Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor Dental Clinic and Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) teamed up with civilian colleagues to provide dental care for local patients at the Pacific Avenue Dental Clinic in Bremerton June 27.

The volunteer effort was part of the Kitsap County Dental Net outreach program, which provides financially disadvantaged citizens with free dental care such as X-ray examinations, hygiene, fillings and extractions.

“This is our second free dental clinic we held this year,” said Kathy Hamlett, volunteer coordinator from NBK Bangor Dental Clinic. “We started this outreach program seven years ago, and we wanted to do something to help people in the community who don’t have the funds to get proper dental care.”

The free dental clinic is operated with the help of volunteer support from local dentists and from service members within the Kitsap County area.

“Sailors are always ready and willing to help us out when we open up the free clinic to the public,” added Hamlett. “Volunteers are the crust of what this outreach is all about, and we appreciate the Navy’s help.”

Hamlett and Tina Soete founded Kitsap County Dental Net, which is a non-profit agency that finds dental resources and care for hundreds who otherwise would not have access to it. Hamlett and Soete coordinate free weekend clinics by asking local dentists, hygienists and clinical assistants to provide pro bono dental care at private dental offices in Kitsap County.

By the day’s end, 25 patients were treated at the clinic for free. Some received minor cleaning and others had pain relieved from their toothaches.

For Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF) Ernesto Oliveros, assigned to NBK Bangor Clinic, volunteering is a way to show the community the military cares.

“It’s good to help out and help those who are less fortunate because not everyone can afford dental care,” said Oliveros. “Patients are very grateful, and it’s nice to make someone happy.”

“The economy is going through rough times and people need our help,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Karina Trejo. “By being here, I represent the Navy and show the community the military supports them. I am happy to be helping out in anyway I can.”

For more news from Naval Base Kitsap, visit www.navy.mil/local/kitsap /.
dental clinic
dental care

2009 JUL 5 – ( NewsRx.com) — Researchers detail in ‘Dental fear and adult oral health in Australia,’ new data in periodontitis (see also Periodontitis). According to recent research from Australia, “This study aimed to investigate the association between dental fear and both dental caries and periodontal indicators. A three-stage stratified clustered sample of the Australian adult population completed a computer-assisted telephone interview followed by a clinical examination.”

“Oral health measures were the DMFT index and its components, periodontitis and gingivitis. A total of 5364 adults aged 18-91 years were dentally examined. Higher dental fear was significantly associated with more decayed teeth (DT), missing teeth (MT) and DMFT. There was an inverted ‘U’ association between dental fear and the number of filled teeth (FT). Periodontitis and gingivitis were not associated with dental fear. The association between dental fear and DMFT was significant for adults aged 18-29 and 30-44 years, but not in older ages. Dental fear was significantly associated with more DT, MT, and DMFT but with fewer FT after controlling for age, sex, income, employment status, tertiary education, dental insurance status and oral hygiene. This study helps reconcile some of the conflicting results of previous studies and establishes that dental fear is associated with more decayed and missing teeth but fewer FT,” wrote J.M. Armfield and colleagues, University of Adelaide, Australian Research Center for Population Oral Health.

The researchers concluded: “That people with higher dental fear have significantly more caries experience underlines the importance of identifying and then reducing dental fear as important steps in improving adult oral health.”

Armfield and colleagues published their study in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (Dental fear and adult oral health in Australia. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 2009;37(3):220-30).

For additional information, contact J.M. Armfield, University of Adelaide, Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, South Australia, Australia.

Publisher contact information for the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology is: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA.

Keywords: Australia, Dental Caries, Dentistry, Epidemiology, Gingivitis, Periodontitis.

This article was prepared by Managed Care Law Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Managed Care Law Weekly via NewsRx.com.

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Definition

A tongue biopsy is surgery to remove a piece of the tongue for examination under a microscope.

Alternative Names

Biopsy – tongue

Why the Test is Performed

The test is done to determine the cause of abnormal growths, lesions, or suspicious-appearing areas of the tongue.

How the Test is Performed

A tongue biopsy can be done using a needle. After numbing the area, the health care provider gently sticks the needle into the tongue and removes a tiny piece of tissue.

Some types of tongue biopsies remove a thin slice of tissue. Others are done under general anesthesia (asleep and no pain) so that larger areas, such as lesion, growth, or other abnormal area of the tongue, may be removed and examined. See also: Surgical excision

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be told not to eat or drink anything for several hours before the test.

How the Test Will Feel

A needle biopsy is often somewhat uncomfortable even with use of an anesthetic, because the tongue is quite sensitive. After the biopsy, the tongue can be tender or sore, and it may feel slightly swollen.

Risks

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swelling of the tongue (can obstruct the airway and cause breathing difficulty)

Note: Complications are rare.

Normal Results

There is normal tongue tissue, with no abnormal inclusions or cellular changes.

What Abnormal Results Mean

• Amyloidosis
• Tongue (oral) cancer

serum calcium

dental health

Definition

Serum calcium is a laboratory test to measure the amount of calcium in your blood.

All cells need calcium in order to work. Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth. It is important for heart function, and helps with muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting.

Calcium can also be measured in the urine. See: Calcium – urine test

Alternative Names

Ca+2; Calcium – blood; Ca++

Why the Test is Performed

This test is usually done to screen for bone diseases or diseases of the parathyroid gland or kidneys. It can also be done to monitor patients with such conditions.

A separate test measures calcium that is freely flowing in your blood and not attached to proteins. Such calcium is called free or ionized calcium. See: Calcium – ionized

How the Test is Performed

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

How to Prepare for the Test

Your health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test.

Drugs that can increase calcium levels include:

• Calcium salts (may be found in nutritional supplements or antacids)
• Lithium
• Thiazide diuretics
• Thyroxine
• Vitamin D

Drinking too much milk or taking too much vitamin D as a dietary supplement can also increase calcium levels.

How the Test Will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Risks

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling lightheaded
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• Multiple punctures to locate veins

Normal Results

Normal values range from 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Higher-than-normal levels may be due to:

• Addison’s disease
• Excessive vitamin D level
• Excessive calcium intake
• HIV/AIDS
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Metastatic bone tumor
• Milk-alkali syndrome
• Multiple myeloma
• Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
• Paget’s disease
• Prolonged immobilization
• Sarcoidosis
• Tumors producing a parathyroid hormone-like substance
• Use of certain medications

Lower-than-normal levels may be due to:

• Hypoparathyroidism
• Kidney failure
• Liver disease (decreased albumin production)
• Low serum magnesium
• Malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
• Osteomalacia
• Pancreatitis
• Rickets and vitamin D deficiency

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Delirium
• Dementia
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Secondary hyperparathyroidism

serum calcium

Definition

Human bites are usually caused by one person biting another, although they may result from a situation in which one person comes into contact with another person’s teeth.

In a fight, for example, one person’s knuckles may come into contact with another person’s teeth, and if the impact breaks the skin, the injury would be considered a bite.

Alternative Names

Bites – human

Considerations

Human bites that break the skin, like all puncture wounds, have a high risk of infection. They also pose a risk of injury to tendons and joints.

Bites are very common among young children. Children often bite to express anger or other negative feelings.

Human bites may be more dangerous than most animal bites. There are germs in some human mouths that can cause hard-to-treat infections. If you have an infected human bite, especially on the hand, you may need to be admitted to the hospital to receive antibiotics through a vein (intravenously). In some cases, surgery may be needed.

Symptoms

Bites may produce symptoms ranging from mild to severe:

• Skin breaks with or without bleeding
• Puncture wounds
• Major cuts
• Crushing injuries

First Aid

1. Calm and reassure the person. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
2. If the area is NOT bleeding severely, wash the wound with mild soap and running water for 3 to 5 minutes and then cover the bite with a clean dressing.
3. If the area is actively bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean, dry cloth until the bleeding is controlled. Raise the area.
4. Get medical attention.

DO NOT

• DO NOT ignore any human bite, especially if it is bleeding.
• DO NOT put the wound into your mouth.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

All human bites that break the skin should be promptly evaluated by a doctor. Bites may be especially serious when:

• There is swelling, redness, pus draining from the wound, or pain
• The bite occurred near the eyes or involved the face, hands, wrists, or feet
• The person who was bitten has a weakened immune system (for example, from HIV or receiving chemotherapy for cancer) — the person is at a higher risk for the wound to become infected

Prevention

• Teach young children not to bite others.
• NEVER put your hand near or in the mouth of someone who is having a seizure .

References

Brook I. Management of human and animal bite wounds: an overview. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2005 May;18(4):197-203.

Weber EJ. Mammalian Bites. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006: chap. 58.

human bites

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Sleep Disorders in Children

Most child and teenage sleep problems can be corrected by adjusting the bedtime routine or your expectations of what is “normal” for your child. Some sleep problems, however, are true disorders which need special attention, and sometimes treatment by a healthcare professional. The common sleep disorders with children and teenagers are:

Insomnia

Insomnia means children often have trouble falling or staying asleep or going back to sleep if they awaken. Most children go to sleep within 20 minutes of being in bed and quiet. Teens often take 30 minutes or longer. Generally, insomnia is much less of a problem for children and teens than for adults. Insomnia in children is not usually a serious problem. However, when getting to sleep takes more than half an hour, it can affect wake up time and cause daytime sleepiness or irritability. Some children get up many times when they cannot get to sleep, which can be difficult for parents.

Most of the time, insomnia will get better or go away if an improved sleep routine is strictly followed for 2 weeks. This includes a predictable quiet time of at least half an hour before bedtime such as a bath and reading time, and a regular bedtime. When an improved sleep routine does not help, try stopping all caffeine and giving warm milk 30 minutes before bedtime. Sleep medicines work differently in children and young teens, so they are rarely prescribed for these age groups. Ongoing insomnia may be a symptom of depression, an anxiety disorder, or hyperactivity. If your child has insomnia a lot, see your child’s healthcare provider. It is important to review your child’s medicines and any other symptoms the child has.

Sleep Rocking

Some children rock their bodies during part of the night. Most rock from side to side, but some rock forward from their knees to their elbows. It is most common up to the age of 3 or 4. Usually sleep rocking is not serious and will stop on its own. However, in severe cases a child may bang their head or other body parts against the bed or wall. If this occurs, you may need to protect your child, for example by padding the wall. If your child sleep rocks, talk with your child’s healthcare provider about it.

Sleep Walking

Getting out of bed and walking around the room or house a few times each month is quite common with preschool and elementary school children. They may walk for 2 to 20 minutes and then either return to bed or lie down somewhere else. Their eyes are usually open, but are staring and not focused. They may do things like open doors or change clothes. Sometimes the child will talk, but will not usually wake up if you talk to them. Many times they will go back to bed when you tell them to do so.

In the morning they rarely remember anything about sleep walking. It is possible for children to walk into furniture or to fall. For this reason, make sure your child cannot walk down stairs or be where they might trip and fall.

Children usually begin sleep walking between the ages of 2 and 7 and stop on their own before the teen years. Most sleep walking occurs a few hours after the child falls asleep. Sleep walking tends to run in families, but the exact cause is not known. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about your child’s sleep walking, especially if the walking occurs after sleeping more than half of the night.

Being very tired or stressed, or going to bed late can increase the chances that a child will sleep walk that night. Some sleep walkers are more anxious and shy than other children their age. However, most children who sleep walk do not have emotional or behavioral problems.

There is no special treatment for sleep walking. Some things you can do if your child sleep walks:

• Try not to let your child get too tired or stressed since this may increase the chances of sleep walking.
• Calmly lead them back to bed.
• Do not talk about the sleep walking the next morning since they will not remember walking around and you may make them feel bad by talking about it.
• Some children will not sleep walk if you purposely wake them (enough to sit up and respond) about an hour after they have gone to sleep.

Night Terrors

Children with night terrors usually seem to wake within the first few hours of going to sleep and scream or call out. The terror may last for several minutes. Usually the child’s eyes are wide open, but are staring and not focused. The child does not wake up even if you talk to them or sit them up. Often they are not calmed by hugging or talking to them. The terror and not being able to comfort the child is scary for the parent. The children almost never remember what happened the next morning. Most night terrors are not caused by stress, diet, or parent behavior. In some cases, a high fever can cause night terrors during the illness. The terrors usually fade away during the elementary school years. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider if you are concerned about your child’s terrors.

There is no special treatment for night terrors. If your child has night terrors:

• Try not to let your child to get too tired or stressed since this may increase the chances of having a night terror.
• Comfort your child until they calm. This may take several minutes.
• Do not talk about the night terror the next morning since they will not remember the terror and you may scare them by stories about it.
• Some children will not have a night terror if you purposely wake them (enough to sit up and respond) about an hour after they have been asleep.

Sleep Apnea

A child with sleep apnea usually snores and stops breathing for a few seconds at a time when sleeping. This signals the brain to wake them up. This process of stopping breathing followed by briefly waking up may happen many times during the night. While children seldom remember waking up, they may be tired or cranky during the daytime. In children a common cause is enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Sleep apnea is much more common in adults than children.

If you think that your child has sleep apnea, talk with your child’s healthcare provider.

Hypersomnia

Hypersomnia is a condition in which your child sleeps far more than is normal for his or her age. Your child is always tired, even after a good night’s sleep. A young child with hypersomnia may often be whiny and irritable and sleep too much. Other symptoms besides the need for a lot of sleep may be poor attention or poor memory. Hypersomnia is more common in teenagers than in younger children. Sometimes, especially with teens, it can be a symptom of depression.

If you think your child has hypersomnia:

• Try setting a clear routine of bedtime and nap times for several days.
• Watch children and teens for symptoms of depression, especially saying negative things about themselves or talking about thoughts of harming themselves or others.
• If your child has symptoms of hypersomnia often, or has new medical symptoms, or if you think the child has depression, talk with your child’s healthcare provider.

Bruxism

Bruxism is grinding or clenching the teeth during sleep. Children and teenagers who do this may also grind or clench their teeth when angry, upset, or anxious. This can be something which happens only once in a while or can be a nightly problem. Bruxism is more common in teenagers than in young children. Repeated grinding or clenching of the teeth can damage the teeth or the jaw. Special tooth guards may need to be used for nap and nighttime sleep.

If you child grinds or clenches their teeth during sleep, try reducing stress in your child’s life. Plan a quiet time of at least half an hour before bedtime no matter how old the child is. If the bruxism happens often or is violent, talk with your child’s healthcare provider and dentist.

For more information, contact:
National Sleep Foundation
1522 K Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 347-3471
Web site: http://www.sleepfoundation.org

Published by RelayHealth.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Written by Gayle Zieman, PhD, for RelayHealth.
sleep disorders

children sleep disorders

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Definition

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects bone growth. The main features include growth hormone deficiency with shortening of the parts of the limbs farthest from the middle of the body.

Alternative Names

Chondroectodermal dysplasia; EVC

Causes

Ellis-van Creveld is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. It results from defects in one of two Ellis van Creveld syndrome genes (EVC and EVC2). The two genes lie next to each other on chromosome 4. It is unclear how this unusual arrangement affects the presentation of the syndrome.

The severity of the disease varies from person to person. The highest rate of the condition is seen among the Old Order Amish population of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Symptoms

• Stillbirth (common)
• Death in early infancy (common)
• Growth hormone deficiency
• Short arms and legs, especially forearm and lower leg
• Sparse, absent, or fine textured hair
• Cleft lip or palate
• Tooth abnormalities:
  • Peg teeth
  • Widely spaced teeth
  • Teeth present at birth (natal teeth)
  • Teeth – delayed or absent formation
• Nail problems, including absent or deformed nails
• Limited range of motion
• Extra fingers (polydactyly)
• Epispadias or an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism)
• Heart defects, such as a hole in the heart ( atrial septal defect)

Exams and Tests

• Skeletal x-ray may show fusion of wrist bones, cone shaped fingertips
• Echocardiogram
• Urinalysis
• Chest x-ray showing short ribs
• Ultrasound may locate an undescended testicle
• Genetic testing may be available for mutations in the EVC gene

Treatment

Treatment depends on which body system is affected and how severe the problem is. The condition itself is not treatable, but many of the complications can be treated.

Support Groups

Many communities have Ellis-van Creveld support groups. Ask your health care provider or local hospital if there is one in your area.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome depends on which body system is involved and to what extent that body system is involved.

Possible Complications

• Breathing difficulty
• Congenital heart disease (CHD) especially an atrial septal defect (ASD)
• Kidney disease
• Bone abnormalities

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if your child has symptoms of this syndrome. If you have a family history of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome and your child has any of the above symptoms, a visit to your health care provider is appropriate.

Prevention

Genetic counseling is recommended for prospective parents with any family history of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.

ellis van creveld syndrome

patient education

Definition

A broken jaw is a break in the jaw bone. A dislocated jaw means the lower part of the jaw has moved out of its normal position at one or both joints where the jaw bone connects to the skull (temporomandibular joints).

Alternative Names

Dislocated jaw; Fractured jaw; Broken jaw

Considerations

A broken or dislocated jaw usually heals completely after treatment. However, the jaw may become dislocated again in the future.

Complications may include:

• Airway blockage
• Bleeding
• Breathing blood or food into the lungs
• Difficulty eating (temporary)
• Difficulty talking (temporary)
• Infection of the jaw or face
• Jaw joint (TMJ) pain and other problems
• Problems aligning the teeth

Causes

The most common cause of a broken or dislocated jaw is injury to the face. This may be due to:

• Assault
• Industrial accident
• Motor vehicle accident
• Recreational or sports injury

Symptoms

Symptoms of a dislocated jaw include:

• Bite that feels “off” or crooked
• Difficulty speaking
• Drooling because of inability to close the mouth
• Inability to close the mouth
• Jaw that may protrude forward
• Pain in the face or jaw, located in front of the ear on the affected side, and gets worse with movement
• Teeth that aren’t normally aligned

Symptoms of a fractured (broken) jaw include:

• Bleeding from the mouth
• Difficulty opening the mouth widely
• Facial bruising
• Facial swelling
• Jaw stiffness
• Jaw tenderness or pain, worse with biting or chewing
• Loose or damaged teeth
• Lump or abnormal appearance of the cheek or jaw
• Numbness of the face (particularly the lower lip)
• Very limited movement of the jaw (with severe fracture)

First Aid

A broken or dislocated jaw requires immediate medical attention because of the risk of breathing problems or significant bleeding.

Hold the jaw gently in place with your hands while traveling to the emergency room. A bandage may also be wrapped over the top of the head and under the jaw. However, such a bandage should be easily removable in case you need to vomit.

If breathing problems or heavy bleeding occurs, or if there is severe facial swelling, a tube may be placed into your airways to help you breathe.

DISLOCATED JAW

If the jaw is dislocated, the health care provider may be able to place it back into the correct position using the thumbs. Numbing medications (anesthetics) may be needed to relax the strong jaw muscles.

The jaw may need to be stabilized. This usually involves bandaging the jaw to keep the mouth from opening widely. In some cases, surgery may be needed to do this, particularly if repeated jaw dislocations occur.

After dislocating your jaw, you should not open your mouth widely for at least 6 weeks. Support your jaw with one or both hands when yawning and sneezing.

FRACTURED JAW

Temporarily bandaging the jaw (around the top of the head) to prevent it from moving may help reduce pain.

The specific treatment for a fractured jaw depends on how badly the bone is broken. If you have a minor fracture, you may only need pain medicines and to follow a soft or liquid diet for a while.

Surgery is often needed for moderate to severe fractures. The jaw may be wired to the teeth of the opposite jaw to improve stability. Jaw wires are usually left in place for 6 – 8 weeks. Small rubber bands (elastics) are used to hold the teeth together. After a few weeks, some of the elastics are removed to allow motion and reduce joint stiffness.

If the jaw is wired, you can only drink liquids or eat very soft foods. Have blunt scissors readily available to cut the elastics in the event of vomiting or choking. If the wires must be cut, consult a health care provider promptly so they can be replaced.

DO NOT

Do NOT attempt to correct the position of the jaw.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

A broken or dislocated jaw requires immediate medical attention. Emergency symptoms include difficulty breathing or heavy bleeding.

Prevention

Safe practices in work, sports, and recreation, such as wearing a proper helmet when playing football, may prevent some accidental injuries to the face or jaw.

jaw broken
patient education

Alternative Names

Tooth pain and heart attacks; Heart attacks and jaw pain

Information

Question:

Can pain in the jaw or teeth be an indication of a heart attack?

Answer:

Sometimes. Heart pain can radiate to the jaw and teeth. It is more common for heart-related discomfort to affect the lower jaw than the upper jaw. It cannot be emphasized enough that a heart attack can have symptoms other than chest pain and these symptoms should be checked immediately.

Pain in the upper teeth also can indicate other conditions, such as a sinus infection. It’s important to get evaluated by your doctor to know the cause of your symptoms.

See also:

• Acute MI
• Chest pain

jaw pain
heart attack