Jaw Infection Symptoms – Causes, Warning Signs, and Treatment Options

Jaw infections or Osteomyelitis of the jaw is a condition that carries lots of complications if not treated. Early signs must be detected and intervention must be sought to help avoid transmission of the infection and impact on the jawbone. In this all-encompassing article, you will find information on the symptoms, signs of danger, and ways to treat jaw infections and take action early on, thus preserving the health of your teeth.

What is a Jaw Infection?

A jaw infection starts when bacteria infiltrate the jaw bone mostly because of tooth diseases, injury or neglected gum diseases. The bacteria increase in numbers and extend themselves into other tissues around the body leading to inflammation, pain, and eradication of bone tissues. A jaw infection can occur with the upper jaw or maxilla; however, it most often involves the lower jaw or mandible because of its closeness to the teeth and gum tissues.

One must appreciate the fact that the jaw infections are different from other simple oral infections in the mouth and may include gum abscesses or tooth abscesses. Although these conditions may present similar signs and symptoms, they mainly involve the soft tissues in the facial region as opposed to the bony structures. However, if these superficial infections are not treated, they may extend to the jawbone causing a severe jaw infection.

Appropriate treatment is vital in dealing with infections affecting the jaw area because bacteria if left in the bone for a long time would cause extensive damage. In the worst case, this infection can spread to other organs and tissues and cause dangerous systemic complications, including sepsis.

Common Symptoms of a Jaw Infection

Persistent Jaw Pain

There are commonly several signs of a jaw infection but one of the most noticeable is regular pain in the jaw. This pain might be an occasional discomfort and then progress to a constant deep pain over some time. It may be sharp, throbbing, dull, or lingering and may affect just one tooth or a site in the jaw joint, or may be referred to the ear, neck, or other facial regions.

Swelling and Redness

As the infection continues to develop you can see inflammation on the surface of the skin on the cheeks or the face on the side where the infection is. Such inflammation is usually characterized by redness and tomes that are sensitive to the touch. Sometimes it also becomes extremely large accompanied by some form of facial imbalance where one side of the face has more swellings than the other.

Pus or Discharge

Pus or discharge is common at the later stages of the jaw infection, which you might realize when you check your mouth. This may present in the form of a fluid with an unpleasant taste or odor that oozes from the affected part, usually around a tooth or the gum line. The color may vary between yellow, green and white and it may take quite a long time for the bad taste to be cleared from the mouth.

Fever and Fatigue

Like all other infections, a jaw infection may have symptoms that manifest on other parts of the body that are not in the jaw. The symptoms include having a high body temperature, which is an indication your body is working to expel the species causing the infection. You may also be tired, weak or have flu-like symptoms.

There are other signs associated with jaw infection, which are tooth pain on the affected side, gum irritation, pain in chewing or swallowing foods, earache, and enlarged lymph nodes.

Causes of Jaw Infections

•         Untreated Tooth Decay: Tooth decay, or dental caries, occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce acid that erodes tooth enamel. If not treated, the decay continues, deepening and forming large cavities in the tooth and root pulp. Once the bacteria penetrate through the layers and reach the surface of the tooth root, they can quickly spread through the bone of the jaw causing an infection.
•         Impacted or Abscessed Teeth: Any teeth that have been affected, especially the third molars or wisdom teeth, tend to harbor bacteria. Impaction is the situation where the tooth is only partly produced and is covered in the gum, this creates a small hole where bacteria can live. This gradually may lead to the formation of an abscess- a confined area of infection which contains pus.
•         Dental Procedures: Even though it is rare, infection sometimes develops in and around the jaw after dental treatment. For example, if the proper healing does not take place after a tooth extraction, the formation of a blood clot at the site with subsequent bacterial infection will permit bacteria to penetrate the bone socket. Similarly, if dental implant surgery is not performed under sterile conditions, the patient is prone to an infection.
•         Trauma to the Jawbone: Other causes of jaw infections relate to facial and jaw trauma caused by accidents like car crashes or injuries while playing sports. Sometimes the injury might result in a compound fracture or a severe laceration that becomes infected with germs.
•         Compromised Immune System: Patients who are more susceptible to infections including cancer patients, AIDS patients, patients on immunosuppressive drugs, or those with chronic diseases such as diabetes are most likely to develop infections in the jaw region. In these cases, several layers of protection offered by the body against bacteria may be worn down and infections can develop quite easily.

Potential Complications of Untreated Jaw Infections

In its late stages the infection can cause formation of an abscess; this is a localized collection of pus that forms in reaction to bacterial invasion. This condition is very uncomfortable and can lead to visible inflammation of the jaw or face especially around the region of the abscess. If the abscess bursts, it leads to severe and rapid spread of the infection to neighboring tissues also involving the throat, neck and even the brain.

Another severe effect of untreated infections of the jaw is loss and damage of the bones of the jaw. To grow and propagate infection, bacteria tunnel deeper within the jawbone, close vessels and erode bone tissue due to toxins they secrete. This in turn may promote formation of necrotic (dead) bone which sometimes has to be excised.

Although this is rather uncommon, if left untreated, a jaw infection may advance in some cases to a systemic infection that poses critical risks. For instance, bacteria that contributes to the jaw infection may spread through the bloodstream causing Septicemia, which is an inflammation of the blood. Further, it can spread to other parts of the body as far as the heart, lungs, or brain and cause conditions such as endocarditis, pneumonia, meningitis respectively.

Sometimes the infection might be controlled after sometime but the effects of an untreated jaw infection are often chronic pain and disability. The jaw bone may be weakened or displaced leading to chewing difficulties, speaking impediments or any other function that might require the use of the jaw. Sometimes, the infection leads to long-term damage on the nerves and so there may be long term effects such as pain or numbness in the face and jaw.

Besides reducing the density of the jawbone if not treated, the infections also lead to tooth loss. If the bacteria continue to proliferate in the mouth, they can demineralize the surrounding tissues holding the teeth in place, making them wobbly or even completely loose. This can be especially painful if there are several teeth involved, and the person needs intricate dental procedures to fix the problem.

Treatment Options for Jaw Infections

Antibiotic Therapy

Ordinarily, the treatment for jaw infections starts with the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics help with controlling symptoms of the bacterial infection and also stopping the bacteria from invading other areas of the body. The choice of the antibiotic will, therefore, depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection and the seriousness of the infection.

Drainage and Cleaning

Sometimes the infected area is further irrigated and washed if for instance an abscess has developed then incised and cleaned for pus and bacteria. The process called incision and drainage entails making a small incision on the abscess in order to allow the pus to come out. It is then washed with water and followed by washing with a solution of some local antiseptic to remove all the bacteria.

Surgical Intervention

In Advanced cases especially if the infections have affected the bones of the jaw, then the patient may require surgical intervention. It may require debridement, which means the surgeon may have to remove dead or infected bone tissue, bone grafting, which is the process of transplanting healthy bone tissues into the infected region or even tooth extraction if the teeth are the source of the infection.

Preventing Jaw Infections

•         Tooth care is very important; you should brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride containing toothpaste, you should floss daily and use an antiseptic mouthwash if recommended.
•         To allow your dentist to check for any signs of problems before they get worse, ensure that you are getting a dental check up at least twice a year.
•         In case of dental concerns such as pain, sensitivity, or visible crack on the tooth, the patient should seek professional help.
•         Control chronic illnesses that could compromise the immune system, with an emphasis on avoiding complications based on your doctor’s advice.
•         Have a balanced diet and stick to the recommended dietary requirements for example the daily recommended intake of calcium, vitamin D, Vitamin C.
•         Be careful with the oral piercing because they may give bacteria the way into the mouth and cause harm to teeth and gum.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can jaw infections go away on their own?

No, jaw infections normally cannot heal on their own and usually need a doctor’s help. However, if the doctor’s advice is not followed and the infection is not treated immediately, it leads to the progression of the disease and may result in bone loss or systemic infection.

How long does it take to recover from a jaw infection?

The time taken to recover from a jaw infection depends on the extent of the infection and the method that was used to treat the infection. More often, the symptoms should begin to resolve within 48-72 hours once the patient has commenced on the antibiotics. Nevertheless, recovery can take several weeks or months, especially if a person has had surgery to rebuild the jawbone and the tissues around it.

Is jaw pain always a sign of an infection?

Not necessarily. There are different causes of jaw pain and they include temporomandibular joint disorder, bruxism as well as a sinus infection. Anyone experiencing persistent jaw pain ought to see a dentist who will diagnose the problem.

 

Conclusion

Oral sepsis is a dangerous condition that needs to be treated in dental practice. Exploring early symptoms, causes, and effects of gum disease can help you look close at maintaining your oral health and consequently get medical attention in cases of inflammation. Keeping our teeth clean and following dental appointments and check-ups will help to prevent conditions that can lead to jaw infections. If you think that you have a jaw infection, then it is important that you seek consultation from your dentist or healthcare provider immediately.