Osteonecrosis of the jaw, which is commonly referred to as jaw bone loss, is one of the most lethal dental complications. That is because it can easily result in complete deterioration of not just the jaw but also all the bones and teeth that support it. It gets worse with the fact that Osteonecrosis can be difficult to detect on time as it comes along with subtle signs. By the time it is diagnosed, it is often too late. Fortunately, there are specific risk factors you should be aware of. These risk factors can help you detect ONJ before it worsens.

ONJ Risk Factors

Much isn’t known about ONJ. It is also important to note that Osteonecrosis of the jaw is an irreversible disease. With that in mind, be keen on the following risk factors:

• Alcohol abuse
• Previous jaw injury
• Gingivitis
• Use of anabolic steroids
• Overexposure to radiation
• Poor oral health care

Symptoms

Exposure of the maxilla or the mandible to the air is the primacy symptom of ONJ. The kind of exposure referred to here is one that cuts straight to the bone. But before ONJ becomes that severe, a patient may first experience the following symptoms:

• Redness and tenderness
• Bad breath
• Numbness
• Difficulty in eating or drinking
• Pain
• Development of systematic fungal, viral or bacterial infections

Causes of ONJ

Your bones are made up of delicate cells that require an adequate supply of blood so as to stay healthy. Once blood supply to your bone cells is compromised or limited, cells will die solely because they will be stripped of necessary nutrients. It is this deterioration and eventual death of the bone cells that is referred to as osteonecrosis.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw happens when a specific area of the jaw becomes uncovered by the gums. This means the surrounding tissues will be exposed to the air. The main causes include bisphosphonate use and dental procedures.

Dental Procedures

Dental procedures can lead to development and worsening of ONJ. This is because the condition easily creates an environment that is susceptible to rapid bacterial growth. Take dental extractions for instance. They are usually performed to treat infectious gum and tooth infections. Infections can quickly spread after a tooth extraction and cause bacteria to thrive deep within the bones. This will lead to inflammation which will then affect blood flow. Eventually, ONJ will become inevitable. Improper surgical techniques can also have the same effect as poorly done dental extractions.

Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates refer to medical conditions that specifically target bones for specific conditions. The longer a patient is subjected to bisphosphonates, the greater the risk of developing ONJ. Strangely, exact mechanism for the reason why bisphosphonates lead to ONJ is still unknown. However, the current hypothesis asserts that Bisphosphonates decrease your bone’s ability to self-repair.  It also decreases formation of blood vessels.

What To Do

Observe good dental hygiene. This is as simple as flossing and brushing your teeth twice daily. Visit your dentist too for occasional checkup. This is important because dental diseases like gingivitis can lead to ONJ if left untreated.