The jaw is an essential part of the entire periodontium. The teeth are located in the upper and lower jaw, where they are fixed within the alveoli (tooth compartments).
If an inflammatory reaction occurs, teeth as well as nerves and bone substance can be damaged. This causes pain and swelling, which can also affect the surrounding parts of the face.
There are different types of jawbone inflammation:
- Ostitis is an inflammation of the vascular channels located in the area of the jaw.
- Experts speak of periostitis when the periosteum of the jaw is inflamed.
- In osteomyelitis, the cause of the symptoms is an inflammation of the bone marrow.
Firmly attached to the skull, the jawboneis the supporting part of the teeth © SciePro | AdobeStock
Inflammation of the jawbone can have various causes:
For example, a bone injury is often the cause of such an inflammation.
If the jawbone is fractured in an accident, bacteria and germs can penetrate the bone region more easily.
One of the mechanical stresses that cause inflammation of the jawbone is the extraction of individual teeth. Especially wisdom teeth. If doctors remove severely inflamed teeth, this increases the risk of bacteria or germs penetrating the bone.
There are also other causes of inflammation of the jawbone. Caries is a potential source of danger. If the affected person has one or more decayed teeth, an inflammation of the jawbone can develop as a result of the course of the disease. This leads to the formation of pus on the tooth root and/or the gums, which then spreads to the bone.
Periodontitis (bacterial inflammation of the periodontium), also known colloquially as periodontal disease, is also considered a risk factor for the development of jawbone inflammation.
Poor oral hygiene, which provides a good breeding ground for germs and bacteria, also favors the development of inflammatory processes.
There are also triggers that initially 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.
Diseases such as diabetes mellitus, smoking or drug use are also associated with the occurrence of jawbone inflammation.
Summary of possible risk factors:
- Fractures due to accidents
- Tooth extractions
- tooth decay
- Periodontal disease, periodontitis
- Infections in the body
- Diabetes mellitus
- smoking
- Drug consumption
The symptoms of an inflammation of the jawbone do not necessarily have to be noticeable immediately. In some cases, they only appear after a longer period of time.
If an acute inflammation occurs, those affected often suffer from flu or cold symptoms. These include fever or fatigue.
If there is also loosening of the teeth, reddening of the face, poor wound healing or cardiovascular complaints, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
In this case, there are many indications that the inflammation is already at an advanced stage. You must have the disease treated urgently, as it can lead to blood poisoning (sepsis). Important: In the case of an inflammation of the jawbone, not all symptoms necessarily occur at the same time.
Possible symptoms of jawbone inflammation at a glance:
- Pain
- fever
- fatigue
- Cardiovascular complaints
- Tooth loosening
- Swelling of the face
- Poor wound healing
First of all, the experienced dentist or orthodontist makes a visual diagnosis. Some inflammatory processes can already be identified in this way.
The doctor then uses imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computer tomography). This allows him to detect tissue changes and changes to the bone.
Visual diagnosis is the first step © WavebreakmediaMicro | AdobeStock
Inflammation of the jawbone can have various causes:
For example, a bone injury is often the cause of such an inflammation.
If the jawbone is fractured in an accident, bacteria and germs can penetrate the bone region more easily.
One of the mechanical stresses that cause inflammation of the jawbone is the extraction of individual teeth. Especially wisdom teeth. If doctors remove severely inflamed teeth, this increases the risk of bacteria or germs penetrating the bone.
There are also other causes of inflammation of the jawbone. Caries is a potential source of danger. If the affected person has one or more decayed teeth, an inflammation of the jawbone can develop as a result of the course of the disease. This leads to the formation of pus on the tooth root and/or the gums, which then spreads to the bone.
Periodontitis (bacterial inflammation of the periodontium), also known colloquially as periodontal disease, is also considered a risk factor for the development of jawbone inflammation.
Poor oral hygiene, which provides a good breeding ground for germs and bacteria, also favors the development of inflammatory processes.
There are also triggers that initially 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.
Diseases such as diabetes mellitus, smoking or drug use are also associated with the occurrence of jawbone inflammation.
Summary of possible risk factors:
- Fractures due to accidents
- Tooth extractions
- tooth decay
- Periodontal disease, periodontitis
- Infections in the body
- Diabetes mellitus
- smoking
- Drug consumption
The symptoms of an inflammation of the jawbone do not necessarily have to be noticeable immediately. In some cases, they only appear after a longer period of time.
If an acute inflammation occurs, those affected often suffer from flu or cold symptoms. These include fever or fatigue.
If there is also loosening of the teeth, reddening of the face, poor wound healing or cardiovascular complaints, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
In this case, there are many indications that the inflammation is already at an advanced stage. You must have the disease treated urgently, as it can lead to blood poisoning (sepsis). Important: In the case of an inflammation of the jawbone, not all symptoms necessarily occur at the same time.
Possible symptoms of jawbone inflammation at a glance:
- Pain
- fever
- fatigue
- Cardiovascular complaints
- Tooth loosening
- Swelling of the face
- Poor wound healing
First of all, the experienced dentist or orthodontist makes a visual diagnosis. Some inflammatory processes can already be identified in this way.
The doctor then uses imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computer tomography). This allows him to detect tissue changes and changes to the bone.
The treatment of an inflammation of the jawbone depends on the status of the disease. If the inflammation is acute, doctors usually administer antibiotics.
In most cases, several antibiotics are used to determine which antibiotic is most effective in combating the inflammation.
However, antibiotics alone are not enough, as the doctor must eliminate the cause of the inflammation. If the inflammation is caused by 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 off, the doctor must rebuild the bone substance .
Doctorsremove abscesses, cysts or other areas of inflammation. The inflamed areas are often scraped out. Regular professional dental cleaning also eliminates inflammation and removes the breeding ground for bacteria.
