W
wizard124
Junior member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2010
- Messages
- 2
My information - 35M/smoker w/ no prior major dental issues.
Approximately a month ago I found a bone fragment protruding out of my right inner bottom jaw. I only noticed it because it was scratching against my tongue. I removed it and noticed that now my jaw bone was exposed and it was very painful. I was a bit alarmed because of the pain involved, but also because I have never had a tooth extracted from that area so why are there fragments coming out of the gum.
I went to my dentist who referred me to an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon said this happens with older women who are suffering from osteoporosis or with people who are on certain medications. I explained that I am on heavy doses of prednisone approximately once a month and he said that shouldn't have caused this. He gave me prescriptions for a topical steroid and an oral rinse and told me to come back in a week for a follow up. Over the next 2 weeks I suffered from H1N1 and a double ear infection so I never made it back to the oral surgeon the following week. I also noticed that the wound wasn't really healing which may have been because my immune system was shot because of all of my recent illnesses. This past Saturday while still recuperating from the ear infections, another bone fragment made its way through my gums just in front of the previously effected area. Although it relieved a lot of the pain it worried me and I saw the oral surgeon again. He told me this was normal b/c I may have had an infection and explained the whole osteoporosis thing again. I am a 35 year old male with no bone issues or signs of osteoporosis, I'm not sure why he needs to tell me this. He once again prescribed an oral rinse and asked me to come back in 2 weeks. He explained that this is not something to worry about. BTW, the site of the infection is located near my lymph nodes.
So here are my questions:
Why is my jaw bone infected and why are the fragments of bone being expelled?
Are there underlying issues which I should be concerned about? Why is my oral surgeon not concerned?
Sorry for the long post but I am a bit scared and want to make sure I provide all the info.
Thank you in advance
Dave
Approximately a month ago I found a bone fragment protruding out of my right inner bottom jaw. I only noticed it because it was scratching against my tongue. I removed it and noticed that now my jaw bone was exposed and it was very painful. I was a bit alarmed because of the pain involved, but also because I have never had a tooth extracted from that area so why are there fragments coming out of the gum.
I went to my dentist who referred me to an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon said this happens with older women who are suffering from osteoporosis or with people who are on certain medications. I explained that I am on heavy doses of prednisone approximately once a month and he said that shouldn't have caused this. He gave me prescriptions for a topical steroid and an oral rinse and told me to come back in a week for a follow up. Over the next 2 weeks I suffered from H1N1 and a double ear infection so I never made it back to the oral surgeon the following week. I also noticed that the wound wasn't really healing which may have been because my immune system was shot because of all of my recent illnesses. This past Saturday while still recuperating from the ear infections, another bone fragment made its way through my gums just in front of the previously effected area. Although it relieved a lot of the pain it worried me and I saw the oral surgeon again. He told me this was normal b/c I may have had an infection and explained the whole osteoporosis thing again. I am a 35 year old male with no bone issues or signs of osteoporosis, I'm not sure why he needs to tell me this. He once again prescribed an oral rinse and asked me to come back in 2 weeks. He explained that this is not something to worry about. BTW, the site of the infection is located near my lymph nodes.
So here are my questions:
Why is my jaw bone infected and why are the fragments of bone being expelled?
Are there underlying issues which I should be concerned about? Why is my oral surgeon not concerned?
Sorry for the long post but I am a bit scared and want to make sure I provide all the info.
Thank you in advance
Dave