While it takes a long time for a tooth infection to become fatal, it's possible for a tooth infection to develop into sepsis if left untreated. Typically, this process takes a few months.
A tooth infection can be initiated and take up to several months to develop completely, and once it has formed it causes severe pain, constant discomfort, and swelling right around the infected area.
Root canal treatment enables dentists to save severely damaged, decayed, or infected teeth. The procedure is typically recommended when a tooth has a compromised pulp chamber. The pulp chamber is the innermost layer of a tooth, and it contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues.
Mouth infections tucked away beneath crowns, implants, root canals, tooth sockets, or jaw recesses are often difficult to detect due to lack of symptoms. In fact, up to 1 in 4 people could possess a hidden tooth infection and not even know it!
If you have signs and symptoms of a tooth infection, it is important to call your dentist as soon as possible. Dentists can help in a few ways, but remember that this infection will not go away alone- treatment is necessary.
The main concern with untreated tooth infections is that they will spread to other areas of your body and result in compilations like the following: Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone surrounding the tooth. Cavernous sinus thrombosis: An infection of the blood vessels in your sinuses.
Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Body
Feeling generally sick. Extreme sensitivity to cold or hot food and drink. Severe toothache from the tooth outward. Swelling in the gums, neck, cheeks, or tongue.
There is little chance that a tooth infection will spread to other parts of the body. Patients that have any of the below symptoms should call our office right away. Infections that spread can be life threatening and should be taken seriously.
An untreated tooth infection may lead to the following medical problems: Tooth loss: When the tooth becomes infected, it may become severely decayed, broken or loose and could require removal. Bone infections: If bacteria from a tooth infection spread to the surrounding bones, it can cause damage to the jaw bone.
Dental abscesses are often painful, but aren't always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist.
Only a root canal treatment is capable of completely getting rid of a dental infection. However, it is possible to take specific food and substances that act as natural antibiotics. Clove, garlic, and ginger are among the most popular spices that also act as natural antibiotics.
Tooth infections that have traveled to the jawbone can lead to severe dental abscesses and jawbone infections. Osteomyelitis in the jaw causes persistent pain, jaw stiffness, swelling, and tenderness. Additionally, bacterial infections of the teeth can also spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis.
The Danger of Untreated Infected Teeth and Gums
If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years.
There are cases when an abscessed tooth does not produce any symptoms at all. Since the tooth has lost its capability to feel stimuli or has lost its vitality, there may be no discomfort or pain linked to it. But, the abscess is still present and may still disperse the infection.
The biggest factor a dentist looks at when deciding if a tooth can be saved is how much “good” tooth structure there is left. If the tooth is broken at the gumline and has a big cavity that goes down to the bone then there is little hope that the tooth can be saved.
In some cases, if the effect of the bacteria is too deep, the dentist might refuse to extract it right away. Otherwise, it could potentially cause the bacteria to spread to the nearby teeth and gum area.
Dental pain does not necessarily indicate it's too late to address the issue, but delaying treatment can lead to severe consequences. By recognizing the early signs of a cavity, seeking professional dental care, and maintaining regular checkups, you can stay proactive in preventing and treating cavities.
In some cases, an abscess causes no pain, or the pain varies in frequency and severity. Sometimes with a periapical infection, the infection inside the tooth works its way into the gum through the root of the tooth, creating a bubble on the gum.
Signs of an infection spreading
A person who has a suspected tooth infection and develops any of these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention: a painful tongue and mouth. swelling of the face, cheeks, or neck. difficulty swallowing.
Your dentist can also use X-rays to determine if the infection has spread and may be affecting other areas. Recommend a CT scan: If the infection has spread to other areas within your neck, this will help to identify the extent of the infection.
Though it's incredibly rare, in some instances, a tooth infection can spread to the brain and become a brain abscess, or a pus-filled swelling in the brain.
Symptoms of a brain abscess
headache – which is often severe, located in a single section of the head and cannot be relieved with painkillers. changes in mental state – such as confusion or irritability. problems with nerve function – such as muscle weakness, slurred speech or paralysis on one side of the body.