Pus in the jaw

Definition – What is meant by pus in the jaw?

Pus in the jaw can have numerous causes and forms, but as a complication of toothache as a swelling in the jaw area is very feared in the population. In medical jargon, doctors speak of an abscess. An abscess describes a collection of pus in a newly formed cavity.

This cavity can occur on the entire body. However, the soft tissue over the coccyx or the oral cavity is preferred. In the oral cavity, the newly formed cavity produces a swelling with an uncomfortable pressure that can cause mouth opening disorders and swallowing difficulties. But where does the abscess come from and why is it so dangerous?

What is osteomyelitis?

Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone marrow caused by a bacterial infection. Osteomyelitis can occur acutely, such as directly after surgery. For example, the bone may not heal after a wisdom tooth removal or other surgical intervention in the oral cavity, but signs of inflammation may appear.

Furthermore, chronic forms of osteomyelitis can also occur. Symptoms of this disease are pain, swelling and tooth loosening in the affected region. The granulation tissue and inflammatory cells cause an unpleasant odor in the mouth.

If osteomyelitis is not treated, parts of the bone may die and the infection may enter the systemic circulation. The lymph nodes swell, fever develops and the inflammatory cells try to reach the heart, which can cause sepsis, i.e. blood poisoning. Therapeutically, antibiotics may be sufficient to heal the inflammation. However, if bone necrosis, i.e. lost bone tissue, is present, the dead bone parts must be removed so that regeneration can take place. Drugs that influence bone metabolism, such as bisphosphonates, are then also used.

Causes of pus in the jaw

The classic disease of pus accumulation is an abscess in the jaw. It occurs in bacterial inflammations that have a tendency to spread. Thus the abscess is always a possible complication of apical periodontitis, an inflammation below the root tip.

Even dead nerves within teeth are capable of causing an abscess in the jaw. Even after a root canal treatment, remaining bacteria below the root tip are potentially able to form abscesses. The most common cause, however, is wisdom teeth, which can grow out crooked and form niches for bacteria. Furthermore, a loophole for bacteria can also develop after wisdom teeth have been removed, so that an abscess can form.