Jaw problems after knee to the face

Question

I was accidentally kneed in the jaw yesterday at Jiu jitsu practice and now my back teeth won't touch when I bite down.  Only the front two teeth touch.  There is a little pain and swelling.  It doesn't feel like anything is broken or dislocated.  Should I give this a day or two to see if the swelling goes down, or is this a sign of something more serious?

Thanks! -Randy

geminigirl1963 · Accepted Answer

To be on the safe side, you should get at least an Xray done of your jaw.  Just because it doesn't FEEL broken or dislocated, it doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't.

If you can get in to your dentist today, he/she can do the xray, but if you can't get in to see them today, I'd suggest a trip to the ER.  You're definitley better off being safe than sorry, especially since you've said you already can't get your back teeth to line up when you bite down - you sure don't want to end up needing surgery to correct a problem that might have been able to have been corrected much easier.

Best of luck and please keep us posted.

geminigirl1963 · Answer

You're welcome and so glad you're feeling better!

Randyklein · Answer

just a follow up... Everything was fine, the muscles in the back were swollen, and preventing me from closing my jaw.  Swelling went down in a few days and all is back to normal.  Thanks for all the help.

geminigirl1963 · Answer

You're welcome!  Were you able to reach your dentist?  What did he say?  I meant to say in my first response to you also that if you can't get in to see your dentist and don't feel the ER is quite necessary, your primary care doctor probably could give you the order for an Xray of your jaw.

Let me know what you find out and Happy New Year to you also!

raulna · Answer

It's your face......why are you still waiting?.....I'll get GP advice and X'rays, and 2nd opinion as soon as possible.  My mouth is permanently un aligned in some way, ... the factor that it moves tells me it is a pretty unpredictable area once something went wrong....cheers!

Randyklein · Answer

Great, thanks for the advice.  I'll give my dentist a call and see what he says.  Happy new years!

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