Student Ends Up In Hospital After Ironically Breaking Her Jaw On A Jawbreaker Candy

If you were a teenager in the '90s, chances are you would have seen (and been horrified by) the 1999 cult film 'Jawbreaker.' You know, the one where three high school girls accidentally murder their friend by stuffing a jawbreaker in her mouth and taping it shut?

While the story is fictional, the events that unfold in the movie aren't necessarily unrealistic, as 19-year-old Javeria from Toronto recently found out the hard way. The business administration student bought a three-inch jawbreaker with her friend.

"I was with my friend at the mall, and we went into a shop to see if they had jawbreakers," Javeria explained. "We got a giant one, the biggest size they had."

The teenager admits that what followed was a "dumb idea" of hers. "I said we have to break it because people lick their way through it, and it takes them months to get through it all," she said.

Javeria and her friend wondered if they would be able to bite into the giant sweet. "The candy is literally called a jawbreaker," she said.

It was then that Javeria decided to bite into the jawbreaker. She only managed to make a small hole in the candy when she noticed her jaw was hurting quite a lot.

Her friend noticed that her tooth was chipped, and by the time the ambulance arrived, Javeria was in tears. The hospital performed some scans, which revealed that her jaw was broken in two places.

"They told me my jaw is broken and needs to be wired shut," Javeria said. "I was shocked. I thought my biggest problem was my broken tooth."

"I couldn't open my mouth, but I thought it was because of the pain from my tooth," the student explained. "I had to have surgery; they put my jaw back in place and inserted a bar into my top and bottom gums and wired it shut."

Javeria's jaw had to be wired shut for six harrowing weeks. She had to stay on a liquid diet and lost seven pounds within just two weeks.

"All I can think about is how hungry I am; I took the feeling of being full for granted," she said. "I miss food so much."

"I also feel irritated all the time," Javeria said. "I can't open my mouth, I can't lick my lip if food gets on it, and I can't use my teeth to open something."

"You realize how important your mouth is; you use it for literally everything in your life," she continued. "It has affected my life so much."

The 1999 film 'Jawbreaker' centered around three high school girls accidentally murdering their friend by stuffing a jawbreaker in her mouth and taping it shut.

TriStar Pictures

19-year-old Javeria from Toronto bought a three-inch jawbreaker with her friend.

Amazon

The hospital performed some scans, which revealed that her jaw was broken in two places.

Kennedy News and Media

Expert Insights on Safety Awareness

Dr. Andrew Weil, a renowned integrative medicine expert, emphasizes the importance of body awareness and safety in daily activities. He explains that many injuries, like the one sustained by Javeria, can often be avoided through mindfulness and proper caution. Dr. Weil suggests that individuals, especially teens, should develop a culture of safety awareness, understanding the risks associated with seemingly harmless activities.

Implementing educational programs in schools that focus on injury prevention can significantly reduce accidents. He recommends that parents engage in discussions about safety, helping their children recognize potential hazards in everyday situations.

In the realm of health and safety, Dr. Tara Brach, a psychologist and mindfulness expert, highlights the psychological impacts of risky behaviors in adolescents. She notes that peer pressure often influences young people to engage in reckless activities, such as attempting to eat jawbreaker candies without caution. Dr. Brach advocates for open conversations about risk-taking and its consequences, encouraging parents to foster environments where teens feel secure discussing their choices.

Practicing mindfulness can empower teens to make better decisions, reducing the likelihood of injuries. By promoting self-awareness, teens can learn to evaluate risks more effectively, ultimately improving their safety.

"I had to have surgery; they put my jaw back in place and inserted a bar into my top and bottom gums and wired it shut."

Kennedy News and Media

It's safe to say that Javeria won't be going back for another jawbreaker anytime soon. "It was a dumb idea I had with my friend," she said.

"I'm definitely traumatized, so I would say I probably wouldn't have one again," she said. "It was such a stupid thing; people break their jaws in car accidents and fights; this was such an avoidable way to break your jaw."

Analysis & Recommendations

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of seemingly innocuous activities. Experts like Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Tara Brach highlight the necessity of fostering safety awareness among adolescents. Through education and open communication, teens can develop better decision-making skills and reduce the risk of injuries.

By creating a culture of mindfulness, parents and educators can empower young people to navigate their environment with greater awareness, potentially preventing accidents in the future. Ultimately, it’s about equipping our youth with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe.