Jaw Inflammation - Find a Doctor and Get Information

The jaw is an essential part of the entire periodontium. The teeth are located in the upper and lower jaws, where they are anchored within the alveoli (tooth sockets).

If an inflammatory reaction occurs, it can damage not only the teeth but also the nerves and bone tissue. This results in pain and swelling, which can sometimes also affect the surrounding areas of the face.

There are various types of jawbone inflammation:

• Osteitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels located in the jaw. 
• Experts refer to the condition as periostitis when the periosteum of the jaw is inflamed. 
• In osteomyelitis, the cause of the symptoms is inflammation of the bone marrow.

Firmly attached to the skull, the jawbone serves as the foundation for the teeth © SciePro | AdobeStock

Jawbone inflammation can have various causes:

A bone injury is often the cause of such inflammation. 

If an accident results in a fracture of the jawbone, bacteria and germs can more easily penetrate the bone area.

Mechanical stress that can trigger jawbone inflammation also includes the extraction of individual teeth—especially wisdom teeth. When doctors remove severely inflamed teeth, this increases the risk of bacteria or germs entering the bone.

In addition, there are other causes of jawbone inflammation. Tooth decay is a potential source of infection. If the affected person has one or more decayed teeth, jawbone inflammation can develop as the disease progresses. This leads to the formation of pus at the tooth root and/or the gums, which then spreads to the bone. 

Periodontitis (bacterial inflammation of the periodontium), also commonly referred to as periodontal disease, is likewise considered a risk factor for the development of jawbone inflammation. 

Poor oral hygiene, which provides a fertile breeding ground for germs and bacteria, also promotes the development of inflammatory processes.

In addition, there are triggers that, at first glance, have nothing to do with the jaw or the periodontium. If the affected person suffers from a streptococcal infection, for example, the inflammation can also spread to the jawbone. 

Conditions such as diabetes mellitus, smoking, or drug use are also associated with the development of jawbone inflammation.

Summary of possible risk factors:

• Fractures caused by accidents
• Tooth extractions
• Tooth decay
• Periodontal disease, periodontitis
• Infections in the body
• Diabetes mellitus
• Smoking
• Drug use

The symptoms of jawbone inflammation do not necessarily appear immediately. In some cases, they do not appear until some time has passed. 

If acute inflammation occurs, those affected often experience flu- or cold-like symptoms. These include, among other things, fever or fatigue.

If you also experience loose teeth, facial redness, poor wound healing, or cardiovascular symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately. 

In this case, there are strong indications that the inflammation is already advanced. You must seek urgent treatment for this condition, as it can lead to blood poisoning (sepsis). Important: With jawbone inflammation, not all symptoms necessarily appear at once.

Overview of possible symptoms of jawbone inflammation:

• Pain
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Cardiovascular symptoms
• Loose teeth
• Facial swelling
• Poor wound healing

First, an experienced dentist or orthodontist makes a visual diagnosis. Some inflammatory processes can already be identified this way. 

The dentist or orthodontist then uses imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or CT (computed tomography). These help identify changes in tissue and bone. 

Visual diagnosis is the first step © WavebreakmediaMicro | AdobeStock

Jawbone inflammation can have various causes:

A bone injury is often the cause of such inflammation. 

If an accident results in a fracture of the jawbone, bacteria and germs can more easily penetrate the bone area.

Mechanical stress that can trigger jawbone inflammation also includes the extraction of individual teeth—especially wisdom teeth. When doctors remove severely inflamed teeth, this increases the risk of bacteria or germs entering the bone.

In addition, there are other causes of jawbone inflammation. Tooth decay is a potential source of infection. If the affected person has one or more decayed teeth, jawbone inflammation can develop as the disease progresses. This leads to the formation of pus at the tooth root and/or the gums, which then spreads to the bone. 

Periodontitis (bacterial inflammation of the periodontium), also commonly referred to as periodontal disease, is likewise considered a risk factor for the development of jawbone inflammation. 

Poor oral hygiene, which provides a fertile breeding ground for germs and bacteria, also promotes the development of inflammatory processes.

In addition, there are triggers that, at first glance, have nothing to do with the jaw or the periodontium. If the affected person suffers from a streptococcal infection, for example, the inflammation can also spread to the jawbone. 

Conditions such as diabetes mellitus, smoking, or drug use are also associated with the development of jawbone inflammation.

Summary of possible risk factors:

• Fractures caused by accidents
• Tooth extractions
• Tooth decay
• Periodontal disease, periodontitis
• Infections in the body
• Diabetes mellitus
• Smoking
• Drug use

The symptoms of jawbone inflammation do not necessarily appear immediately. In some cases, they do not appear until some time has passed. 

If acute inflammation occurs, those affected often experience flu- or cold-like symptoms. These include, among other things, fever or fatigue.

If these symptoms are accompanied by loose teeth, facial redness, poor wound healing, or cardiovascular symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately. 

In this case, there are strong indications that the inflammation is already advanced. You must seek urgent treatment for this condition, as it can lead to blood poisoning (sepsis). Important: With jawbone inflammation, not all symptoms necessarily appear at once.

Overview of possible symptoms of jawbone inflammation:

• Pain
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Cardiovascular symptoms
• Loose teeth
• Facial swelling
• Poor wound healing

First, an experienced dentist or orthodontist makes a visual diagnosis. Some inflammatory processes can already be identified this way. 

The dentist then uses imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or CT (computed tomography). These help identify changes in tissue and bone. 

Treatment for jawbone inflammation depends on the stage of the disease. If there is acute inflammation, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics.

In most cases, several antibiotics are used to determine which one is most effective at combating the inflammation. 

However, antibiotics alone are not enough, as the doctor must address the underlying cause of the inflammation. If the inflammation originates from severely damaged teeth, they must be removed or treated. The same applies to decayed teeth.

If the inflammation of the jawbone is so advanced that areas of bone are dying, the dentist must rebuild the bone tissue. 

Doctors remove abscesses, cysts, or other sources of inflammation. Often, the inflamed areas are scraped out. Regular professional dental cleanings also eliminate inflammation and deprive bacteria of their breeding ground.