What should be the diet for a broken jaw?

Nutrition for a fracture of the lower jaw must be balanced in order to speed up the recovery process, and have a suitable consistency. The second is especially important, since a patient with a similar problem cannot move his jaw normally, and complications in swallowing function are often encountered due to a fracture of the jaw.

Jaw fractures are divided into two types: maxillary and mandibular. In the second case, the damage is much more severe than in the first, since it is the lower jaw that is responsible for grinding food. Teeth also take part in grinding food, and if they are also damaged, then normal chewing of solid food is impossible. In addition, during treatment of a fracture, special splints are often used that fix the mechanisms, protecting soft tissues from rupture, which only makes it more difficult to choose and eat food.

First aid

An obligatory step is to apply a sling-shaped bandage to the jaw.

A broken jaw causes serious harm to health. Pre-medical intervention should be immediate.

First aid for a broken jaw is as follows:

1. Stop bleeding. A tampon made from a clean napkin should be pressed onto the wound. If blood continues to flow, an ice compress should be applied to the fracture site.
2. Anesthesia. It is allowed to inject the patient with 500 mg of Analgin, 750 mg of Naproxen, or 1-2 ml of Revalgin.
3. Immobilization of the jaw. To do this, you can use a ruler or a plate. You can secure a homemade splint using a sling bandage.

Note! If necessary, the patient is given cardiopulmonary resuscitation. After providing first aid, you need to call an ambulance or transport the victim yourself to the hospital. Further treatment is carried out in a hospital.

What does a doctor do

Therapeutic tactics depend on the degree of injury

Therapy consists of the following:

• combination of jaw bone fragments;
• fixation of debris using a special tire;
• creating optimal conditions at the site of injury for bone restoration;
• carrying out restorative, antimicrobial and preventive treatment.

If necessary, the doctor performs surgery. If the destruction of the jaw bone leads to facial injury, complex plastic surgery is performed. During the operation, jaw and facial prostheses are used.

Feeding methods

After this injury, the patient is in the hospital and his menu for a jaw fracture complies with all the rules. Methods of nutrition depend on the severity of the fractures received. There are many methods of feeding the victim:

• Oral nutrition. This is the best and natural method of eating food. The patient uses the usual set of dishes and cutlery only if he is able to open his mouth independently. He is first assisted by a medical professional and then learns to eat without any assistance.
• Nutrition through a special tube. In case of injuries with complications, feeding occurs using a tube. The feeding procedure with this device is carried out only by doctors or nurses. The probe is inserted into the nasal passage and then into the esophagus and stomach. A special mass is drawn into a syringe and given to the patient in small portions. Feeding occurs at least five times during the day. Most of the food is delivered at lunchtime, and less before bed. This method is used for two weeks, after which the transition to a sippy cup occurs.
• Feeding through a sippy cup. If the patient has had bimaxillary fastening of jaw fragments, that is, a two-jaw bandage has been applied, then a sippy cup with a straw is used for nutrition. The tube is inserted into the passage between the teeth where there are none or next to the wisdom tooth. The total amount of food is consumed gradually with short breaks. It is recommended to feed in a sitting position if the person’s condition allows it. For nutrition, nutrient mixtures are used that are heated to 50 degrees. Sometimes, instead of formula, you can use baby food, for example, fruit or vegetable purees, as well as oatmeal.
• Intravenous nutrition. After receiving injuries, the patient may be unconscious, which means he will not be able to swallow or open his mouth on his own. In such cases, special nutrient solutions are used, which are administered extremely slowly and carefully, 3 times a day.
• Enema. Rarely, nutritional enemas can be used for nutrition. But this method has a big drawback - not all vitamins and substances are absorbed correctly.

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Tube feeding

Often victims completely refuse to eat, since any movement of the jaws causes severe and sharp pain. This problem is especially acute in the very first days after injury. But refusing to eat food can create problems that affect the digestive system, causing exhaustion of the body, which does not receive the required dose of important vitamins, microelements and energy. Also, refusal greatly slows down the rehabilitation process, so you will have to force feed for some time using special equipment or on your own.

Nutritional Features

A mandibular fracture can be double or triple. A person who has received such an injury is unable to eat solid food. Violation of chewing function leads to inhibition of reparative processes of bone tissue.

The main task of medical personnel is to organize adequate nutrition. The main feeding methods are presented in the table.

Table 1. Types of feeding:

Note! Food is supplied using a tube for 1.5-2 weeks. After this, the patient is transferred to physiological oral feeding.

Features of the second table

It is prescribed when the patient can open his mouth freely. Food should be served liquid, well-cooked, thoroughly pureed or passed through a blender. Number of meals - 5-6 times/24 hours.

A brief description of the second table is as follows:

• the consistency of the dishes is sour cream;
• calorie content - depends on the possibility of combining other diets;
• The period is transitional to the common table.

Principles of nutrition

What to eat if you have a broken jaw? The tablet provides information about what the patient’s menu should include.

Table 2. Basic principles of nutrition:

Note! In order to increase nutritional value, it is recommended to dilute pureed food with broth or milk.

Food for the period of splinting

The table tells you what you can eat if you have a fractured jaw during the period of splinting.

Table 3. Menu for the splinting period:

Drinking whole milk is not recommended. This is due to the viscosity of the product, which quickly coagulates and contributes to the “stickiness” of saliva. It is better to add milk to tea or coffee. The grains of pureed solid food should resemble semolina.

Recovery period

The duration of the rehabilitation period for a fracture of the lower jaw is 30-60 days.

The patient's menu should include foods enriched with:

• calcium;
• zinc;
• phosphorus;
• vitamins.

Every day the patient should eat at least 150 grams of meat. You need to first boil it, then grind it in a blender, then dilute it with bone broth. This paste contains useful microelements that help accelerate the healing of deformities.

What to give up

The label lists foods that should be avoided during treatment.

Table 4. Prohibited products:

How to cook food

When the maxillofacial bones are fractured, the process of chewing food and swallowing is disrupted, so in such cases experts recommend consuming liquid or semi-liquid food.

Over time, as swelling and pain decrease, the patient can gradually switch to eating pureed and mushy foods. The most suitable option for moderate chewing disorders is dietary table No.1.

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In this case, the menu is compiled on the principles of the maximum amount of protein and microelements. The products are boiled or steamed, then passed through a meat grinder. Dishes are brought to the required consistency by diluting them with broth, vegetable broth, water or milk.

Patients with a broken jaw have a problem chewing bread, so bakery products are introduced into the diet only in the form of ground crackers, diluted to a liquid sour cream with milk or broth.

The menu for a patient with a broken jaw is varied. You can easily organize a complete and balanced diet from it. The main thing is to take into account the general condition and physical activity of the patient and adjust the menu as the patient recovers.

Use of enteral formulas

The products contain amino acids and vitamins necessary for the patient.

For a fracture of the lower jaw, it is recommended to eat the following enteral mixtures:

• Nutrilon;
• Nutrizon;
• Nutridrink.

The mixtures are available in dry and liquid form. Dry products must be diluted in boiled water.

Note! Enteric mixtures have a beneficial effect on the process of bone fusion. The beneficial elements contained in this diet are well absorbed by the body.

Nutrilon mixtures

When producing enteric mixtures, the manufacturing company uses the innovative Immunofortis system. The products are produced in jars of 400 and 900 grams. The best enteric mixtures for people with a jaw fracture are presented in the table.

Table 5. The best Nutrilon mixtures:

Nutrizon mixtures

A nutritional mixture with a high protein concentration and a balanced composition.

A brief description of this food looks like this:

• calorie content - 100 kcal/100 grams;
• proteins - 4 grams;
• fats - 3.9 grams;
• carbohydrates - 12.3 grams.

The best Nutrizon mixtures are presented in the table.

Table 6. Recommended Nutrizon mixtures:

Nutridrink mixtures

The table shows the main flavors of Nutridrink products.

Table 7. Nutridrink mixtures:

Food characteristics

A jaw fracture is accompanied by loss of the ability to chew food. For this reason, eating regular food is prohibited.

Products are used only in a crushed state. The following types of food are used for nutrition:

• Puree dish;
• Probing mixture;
• Vitamin solutions.

Puree food can be made from any product. The prepared dish is crushed using a blender. The finished puree is introduced into the body through a sippy cup or using a spoon. When serving, the temperature of the dish is measured.

Optimal readings are considered to be 40–45 degrees. Cold or hot food irritates the walls of the stomach. This causes increased production of digestive enzymes. The patient feels hungry after eating.

When choosing products, the ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is taken into account. The patient needs a high protein content and an equal ratio of fats and carbohydrates. For the diet after a jaw fracture, fast proteins are used. They differ in the speed of absorption by the body. Fast protein provides long-lasting satiety and is slowly removed from the circulatory system.

For probing, pharmacies offer a ready-made mixture. It is available in powder and cocktail form. The powder contains various vitamins and microelements necessary for the rapid restoration of the skeletal frame.

The composition also has a balanced ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Before insertion into the probe, the powder is dissolved with warm water in a certain ratio. This makes it easier for the mixture to pass through the probe. Cocktails are ready-made. One container of the drink is enough for two days for one person.

Recommended vitamins

When a jaw fracture occurs, the patient needs the following vitamins:

• Group B;
• C;
• D;
• K.

The human body also needs magnesium, calcium, zinc and phosphorus. Vitamins for jaw fractures can be obtained not only from food. Additionally, taking tablet medications is allowed. The tablets also need to be crushed thoroughly.

Vitamins B1

This vitamin is also called thiamine. It does not accumulate in the body. It must be received daily.

The daily requirement for vitamin B1 looks like this:

• adult men - 1.5-2.4 mg;
• women - 1.4-2.3 mg;
• children - 0.6-1.8 mg.

Thiamine-rich foods are presented in the table.

Table 8. Products with vitamin B1:

Vitamin B6

Found in products of animal and plant origin. With a mixed diet, the need for this vitamin is fully satisfied. B6 is well synthesized by intestinal microflora, its excess is excreted during urination.

Note! With a lack of magnesium, the vitamin is absorbed much worse.

The table shows foods rich in B6.

Table 9. Products with B6:

Vitamin B12

This is an anti-anemic vitamin. The daily requirement is 3 mcg. The upper acceptable level is unknown. Recommended products are listed on the label.

Table 10. Products with B12:

Vitamin C

Another name for this vitamin is ascorbic acid. The daily requirement for an adult varies from 70 to 100 mg. Foods rich in vitamin C are presented in the table.

Table 11. Products with vitamin C:

Vitamin D

This element is necessary to normalize the process of bone formation and growth. The vitamin regulates calcium-phosphorus metabolism.

The daily requirement for this vitamin looks like this:

• adults - 10 mcg;
• children - 10-15 mcg;
• persons who have crossed the 60-year-old threshold - 15 mcg.

Vitamin D is found in eggs, sour cream, butter, chicken liver and sea bass.

Vitamin K

Takes part in the formation of bone tissue and maintains the functioning of blood vessels. The daily requirement is 0.2-0.3 mg. Foods rich in vitamin K are presented in the table.

Table 12. Vitamin K foods:

Products with magnesium

This element is one of the most common in nature. Magnesium is an integral component of bones and tooth enamel. The daily requirement is 400-500 mg. Products rich in magnesium are presented in the table.

Table 13. Products with magnesium:

Note! In the patient's body, the ratio of calcium and magnesium should be no more than 1:06.

Products with calcium

Up to 98% of calcium is found in bone tissue, tooth enamel and dentin. The daily requirement is 800-1000 mg. Elderly patients need to increase the daily dosage to 1200 mg. Calcium-rich foods are presented in the table.

Table 14. Products with calcium:

Sample menu for the week

The patient should receive a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals within a week. The sign shows a sample menu. It can be varied according to your own taste.

Table 15. Sample weekly menu:

What can you eat if you have a broken jaw?

All recommendations regarding the preparation of prescriptions for a broken jaw must be followed during all therapy, regardless of where it is carried out and whether a special splint is applied or not.

There are eight nutritional rules for a broken jaw that you should follow:

1. The diet must have high energy value and all the microelements necessary for recovery.
2. It is worth including vegetable puree in the menu, especially from beets. You can prepare standard mashed potatoes or a combination, such as mashed potatoes with carrots or carrots.
3. The source of carbohydrates will be chopped pasta.
4. It is better to mix digested food with milk or prepared broth rather than with plain water, as this increases the energy value.
5. Buckwheat and oatmeal porridge can be complete sources of fiber, but before eating it is also recommended to slightly digest them and dilute them with water, milk or meat broth.
6. Raw chicken eggs are best for protein.
7. To saturate with vitamins, fresh vegetable or fruit juices are recommended.
8. Add vegetable oils to food recipes.

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With the above diet, the victim should be fed at least 6 times a day with short breaks of 3-4 hours.

Oral hygiene

Antiseptics are used to rinse the mouth

When a patient is hospitalized, hygiene procedures are carried out by a doctor.

The instructions look like this:

1. Rinsing the mouth. Antiseptic solutions are used for this.
2. Cleaning food debris from tires and teeth. The procedure is performed with anatomical tweezers.
3. Repeated rinsing of the vestibule of the mouth.
4. Tire flushing. To do this, use a brush on which antibacterial soap is applied.

At home, the patient must continue to rinse the mouth with antiseptics. It is advisable to use solutions of Furacilin and Chlorhexidine.