Tips for surviving osteonecrosis of the jaw

July 26, 2013 8:25 PM

I have a moderate case of osteonecrosis of the jaw (search google images at your own risk). Did yours get better on its own? If so, what did you do for it?

My oral surgeon said most people end up having to have surgery. I want to beat the odds so I am doing exactly what he told me to do for the next ten days: I am rinsing with peridex twice a day for seven days and I am trying to apply hydrogen peroxide to the exposed bone in my mouth. I need extra-long medical q-tips. Do you know where they can be bought in a brick and mortar store?

I know you are not an expert. I am looking for tips gleaned from experience. Most people haven't even heard of this awful thing. I don't even know how it happened to me. I am healthy and have no risk factors.

I know that hydrogen peroxide is controversial when it comes to wound care, and I know that peridex can discolor teeth. I have discussed these issues with my doctor.

I'm interested in things I can do-- and avoid doing-- to increase my chances of healing without surgical intervention apart from the two things my doctor specifically told me to do.

posted by vincele to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

For the Q-tips try a drugstore that specializes in medical supply. They should even be able to order them for you if they don't carry the longer versions.

I have no experience personally with the condition. But the Hydrogen peroxide will help remove dead tissue. I have used it after a mouth injury that left a lot of "stuff" that needed to be removed gently. The oral care prescribed by your doctor was exactly what I was told to do to prevent your condition.

As far as things you can do to help. Try not to let your mouth dry out. That is what caused the greatest trouble for me with oral tissue healing. I would mouth breathe while sleeping. So try to avoid that if you can.

As far as surgery, you may end up needed to have a tissue flap made over the area if the open area doesn't close enough on it's own. What you don't want is a little tunnel. The best is if the tissue fills from the bottom of the crater up and in. I hope this makes some sort of sense.

Keep it clean, as you are doing. Avoid eating anything with small hard bits such as seeds or nuts. And don't ever eat popcorn. The hulls get in places that are impossible to reach and cause a lot of irritation.

Best of luck to you!
posted by moonlily at 10:04 PM on July 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

The long Q-tip things you are looking for are properly named "6 inch cotton-tipped applicators" I've not noticed them in a pharmacy, but I was never specifically looking. At my dental office, I order them in a box of 500, and they come boxed with 10 bags of 50. It cost $2-3 per 50, maybe offer your dentist $5 for a bag?

If you are trouble healing, would your medical insurance pay for some hyberbaric oxygen treatments? This can encourage blood circulation in the area and stimulate better healing.
posted by Jazz Hands at 5:28 AM on July 27, 2013 [2 favorites]

Walgreens website lists pkg of 200 for $5.99 and pkg of 100 for $1.99
posted by Jazz Hands at 5:30 AM on July 27, 2013 [1 favorite]

Are you also taking antibiotics? A couple of studies I just perused state 90% resolution when rinsing with Peridex AND a course of antibiotics.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 6:52 AM on July 27, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: moonlily I did not know about dry vs. wet. Thanks jazz hands for finding the q-tips for me. Porcinewithme, I finished a z-pack and now I'm in wait-and-see mode. The surgeon says to do another antibiotic after the procedure or now if symptoms of infection suddenly develop.

This occurred about two weeks ago, right before I a began a cross-country drive on my own. The good news is that the gum seems to be growing back over the bone since yesterday. I am optimistic about it healing without further intervention.

I would love to hear more experiences and tips. Thank you all.
posted by vincele at 11:01 AM on July 27, 2013