What is a jaw injury?
A person with a jaw injury has damage to the jaw, caused by an injury. Common jaw injuries include jaw contusion, dental injury, jaw dislocation, and jaw fracture. Common causes of jaw injuries include sports injuries, altercations, and motor vehicle accidents.

What are the symptoms of a jaw injury?
Symptoms of a jaw injury depend on the type of injury and the presence of jaw fracture or jaw dislocation. Symptoms of a jaw fracture or jaw dislocation include jaw pain, jaw tenderness, facial swelling, difficulty opening the mouth, jaw swelling, facial swelling, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, facial bruising, facial numbness, dental pain, chipped teeth, and loss of teeth. When the jaw is fractured or dislocated, the teeth do not line up correctly, which is called malocclusion.

How does the doctor treat a jaw injury?
Treatment for a jaw injury depends on the type of jaw injury. Treatment of a jaw injury may include cold compresses, narcotic pain medications, liquid diet, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain. Surgery may be required for a jaw fracture.