Osteoporosis and osteonecrosis of the jaw: treatment and prevention

Homeopathy and alternative therapy

It would be nice if osteoporosis could be cured naturally with globules and the like. However, there is no evidence of their effect so far, so you should definitely consult a conventional doctor with your symptoms and complaints. As you know, it is important not to delay the diagnosis, but to treat osteoporosis - at best the preliminary stage - at an early stage. 

Strengthen your soul

Stabilising the psyche, avoiding stress and looking to the future with optimism are factors that should not be underestimated in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Scientists have long since discovered that the supposed powerlessness in the face of the disease can lead to a vicious circle of pain, immobility, depression and withdrawal from society. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you should definitely try to realise that there is a lot you can do to maintain or improve your quality of life. Whether it's a guidebook book, self-help group, an exchange with other sufferers in an internet forum or simply a completely new hobby: continue to take an active part in life and defy the disease. 

Prevention: tips for a bone-healthy diet and lifestyle

At best, osteoporosis does not develop at all. We can influence this to a certain extent - in addition to exercise, our diet plays a major role here. We have put together a clear overview of what strengthens and protects your bones here: 

• Adequate protein and protein intake through foods such as dairy products, fish or nuts
• Sufficient intake of vitamins
• Calcium intake from foods such as cow's milk, yoghurt, gouda, green vegetables such as spinach leaves and broccoli, calcium-rich mineral water (over 150 milligrams per litre) 
• Eat and drink whole foods according to the ten rules of the German Nutrition Society (for example, the "Mediterranean diet" is healthy, for which you can also find many recipes online  ) 
• Only use table salt in small quantities
• Consume alcohol only in small quantities
• Give up smoking
• Exercise regularly
• From mid-April to mid-October, spend 20 to 30 minutes a day outdoors between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to ensure vitamin D intake from sunlight. 

Focus: Osteonecrosis of the jaw and osteoporosis

Many patients with osteoporosis take bisphosphonates, which specifically intervene in bone metabolism, inhibit bone resorption and can therefore maintain strength. As a very rare but serious side effect, this can lead to so-called jaw necrosis. The diagnosis is usually extremely devastating for those affected. A good piece of advice is not to look at images on the internet about the disease and to remain calm. There are many ways to stop the disease. Your doctor will certainly be able to give you good advice. You can find important initial information about the disease here.

What is jaw necrosis?

In the case of jaw necrosis, parts of the jaw bone or the entire jaw bone dies off. The disease is characterised by the fact that parts of the bone are exposed and the wounds do not heal even after weeks. The reason for the death is an insufficient blood supply to the bone and a lack of oxygen, nutrients and minerals. 

The symptoms of jaw necrosis often develop non-specifically. Possible complaints are 

• Pain in the jaw area
• Toothache
• Recurrent inflammation
• Tooth loosening 
• Progressive bone loss
• Failure of the bone and gums to heal after tooth extraction
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Abscesses with fistula formation
• Swollen, reddened gums
• Feeling of numbness and heaviness in the jaw
• Difficulties with eating and speaking 
• Jaw lock

Why do bisphosphonates favour jaw necrosis?

The connection between taking a corresponding medication and the development of jaw necrosis has not been conclusively clarified. Experts suspect that germs penetrate past the teeth into the jaw. Because bisphosphonates apparently weaken the immune defence of the jawbone, the germs in the bone now have an easy time of it. This results in inflammation in the jaw, which can lead to tissue destruction. Important to know: it is assumed that taking medication is not solely responsible for the development of jaw necrosis, but that several factors play a role. 

These risk factors include

• Pre-existing diseases of the teeth, gums and jawbones (especially chronic gingivitis with pocket formation and a high bacterial count)
• Previous procedures and operations on teeth and gums
• Taking medication that affects the immune system

Treating osteonecrosis of the jaw - surgery is often unavoidable

Once the diagnosis has been made, the most important initial goals are to relieve the affected person's pain and stop the spread of necrosis. Patients often receive intravenous antibiotic therapy. Unfortunately, however, this measure is usually not enough to treat jaw necrosis completely - this usually requires surgery.

During such an operation, the necrotic bone parts are surgically removed. The surgeon then covers the areas with the help of bone replacement materials. In some cases or in complicated cases, the necrosis may flare up again, making further surgery necessary. In extreme cases, for example, a partial resection of the lower jaw (partial removal of the jaw) is unavoidable. The jaw is then stabilised with metal plates and screws. Later, after good healing, reconstruction with the patient's own bone can be considered.