Nutrition for a jaw fracture: permitted and prohibited foods

A jaw fracture is one of the most common injuries. It occurs in 35% of all fractures. Most often the lower jaw is damaged. This is accompanied by a violation of chewing and swallowing functions. In this article we will talk about what nutrition should be like in case of a jaw fracture.

Proper nutrition promotes rapid recovery

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.

Mechanism of bone restoration after fracture

Bone consists of mineral (calcium, phosphorus, trace elements) and organic (collagen) substances. Mineral components provide strength, and organic components provide elasticity of the structure.

When a fracture occurs, not only the bone itself is damaged, but also surrounding tissues: muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, nerve fibers. This complicates and prolongs recovery.

Our body is capable of self-healing damaged tissues. As a result of this process, new tissue is formed, the so-called callus.

The mechanism of callus formation is based on cell division of the periosteum, endosteum (the inner part of the medullary canal of the tubular bone), bone marrow and choroid.

The speed of recovery depends on the individual characteristics of the person: age, health status, lifestyle.

Proper nutrition helps speed up tissue healing for bone fractures.

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.

Foods to Eat and Avoid

It is necessary to correctly create a menu that includes products containing the largest number of necessary elements.

You need to enter the following products into the menu:

• sea ​​fish;
• milk, fermented milk products;
• cheeses;
• nuts;
• dried fruits;
• cabbage;
• seeds;
• legumes;
• liver;
• seafood;
• caviar.

Their use helps restore the body after a fracture, they strengthen the body as a whole.

There are foods that you should avoid during your recovery. You need to understand why you should not use this or that product.

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:

Basic diet

Often patients completely refuse to eat, since the slightest movement of a broken jaw brings severe pain. This problem is especially relevant in the first time after injury. But refusing to eat is fraught with complications that can affect the organs of the digestive system, as well as depletion of the entire body, which does not receive the microelements and energy it needs with food.

Properly selected recipes for dishes that can be consumed by a patient will reduce pain while eating, as well as saturate the body with nutrients.

In most cases, food should be thin enough to be sucked through a straw. One of the recommended dishes is chicken broth. After receiving an injury, this is the first food that it is advisable for the patient to eat.

But even with a fractured jaw, you can add variety to the patient’s diet. It is best to prepare soups whose ingredients can be ground through a sieve. It is best to mince the boiled meat from the broth in the soup several times or grind it in a blender.

Additional nutrition for the patient's body can be provided by dietary supplements. Many enteral formulas contain everything necessary to fully supply the body:

• vitamins;
• minerals;
• amino acids;
• fats;
• proteins;
• carbohydrates.

These specialty products are available either as a powder for making a nutritional shake, or in a ready-to-drink form - that is, as a drink. As a rule, such products have no contraindications, but it is still better to consult a doctor before consuming them. He can recommend the best complex for the patient. Even if the patient uses enteral formulas, he still should not refuse to eat. Eating foods in liquid form (puree soups, liquid grated porridges) will keep the digestive system normal.

In some cases, the doctor recommends tube feeding. This is necessary if a person has impaired not only chewing, but also swallowing function. The tube allows food to be delivered directly to the digestive system. If these organs are not damaged and function normally, then this method of feeding is preferable.

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:

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.

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:

Main courses and jellied meat for bones

Doctors recommend introducing jellied meat into the diet for a broken leg, which contains all the elements necessary for recovery.
To cook the dish, take beef bones, process them well, and simmer over low heat for several hours. Once ready, pour the broth into containers and place in a cool place. It is recommended to eat fresh vegetables daily. It is advisable to add vegetable oil to them. Sour cream or natural yogurt with a low fat content is suitable as a dressing.

Different types of cheese should be included in dishes. To prepare healthy dishes, it is recommended to take fish, liver, cabbage, and legumes. When choosing bread, you should choose coarse whole grain bread; it is better if it contains sunflower seeds.

Using a variety of fruits and berries in salads and sauces makes it possible to get the necessary vitamins and elements.

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.

What products are not recommended for consumption?

In case of a jaw fracture, the following must be excluded from the menu:

• alcoholic drinks (absorbed into the blood as quickly as possible, causing intoxication and vomiting);
• strong tea, coffee and coffee (cause heart palpitations);
• sweets, flour products, chocolate, candies (provoke the development of constipation);
• fatty foods (disturbs the normal functioning of the digestive system, interferes with the natural absorption of essential vitamins and microelements);
• pickles, smoked meats and semi-finished products (excessive salt content in such products can cause swelling);
• carbonated drinks (impair calcium metabolism).

All of the above ingredients significantly shorten the period of calcium absorption, which is unacceptable during the treatment of fractures.

Assistive devices and additional activities

Simple additional remedies that can be used at home will help increase the patient’s comfort during recovery after a broken leg:

• Orthopedic insoles. They help not to overload the injured limb, relieve stress from bones and joints.
• Belt. Special straps are attached to the bed, so the patient receives additional support when sitting down or standing up. Patients with a hip fracture especially need such a device.
• Crutches or cane. Depending on the severity of the injury, in the early recovery period the patient may require assistance while walking. Auxiliary supports will relieve excessive stress from the limbs and give the patient confidence during movements.

Rehabilitation measures provide for a uniform increase in the load on the body. Initially, the doctor prescribes simple breathing exercises to the patient, which help saturate the body with oxygen and develop the respiratory system. Afterwards, exercise is added, which is aimed at developing general body mobility. After about a month, physical exercises are expanded and divided into two groups:

• general – aimed at improving the health of the whole body;
• special ones - restore the damaged area.

Properly selected gymnastics and a course of physical therapy restore blood circulation, strengthen muscles, resume motor activity and prevent complications.

Working with gait

As part of rehabilitation after a leg injury, it is necessary to work on restoring gait. One of the most effective options is exercise on an exercise bike, to which the patient must be allowed by a doctor if there are no contraindications.

In addition to training on the simulator, it is also important to perform special exercises:

• grab a small object with your toes and hold it suspended;
• roll the ball with the foot of the injured limb;
• roll from toes to heels and back;
• walk backwards, sideways.

Classes should be continued until the patient’s motor functions are completely restored and swelling and pain go away.