Dislocation of the lower jaw may be caused by a blow on the point of the jaw when the mouth is open, or by yawning, laughing, or dental extractions. The history is usually clear, and there is obvious deformity of the face and inability to close the mouth, from which saliva dribbles away. The head of the bone can be felt on the surface of the cheek, slightly in front of its normal position. The chin is prominent and the lower teeth protrude in front of the upper. Dislocation is usually on one side only, though it may be on both.


TREATMENT:
1. Pad your thumbs well with strips of lint and insert them into the patient's mouth over his back teeth.
2. Exert steady pressure downwards to depress the angle of the jaw, at the same time raising the chin with your fingers outside the mouth. The head of the bone slips back into position with a snap, hence the need to protect your thumbs.
3. After reduction take care to prevent the recurrence. Do not give solid food for a week.

Recurrent dislocations are not uncommon. People to whom this has happened on a number of occasions often know how to put the bone back into place without assistance.