Most tooth infections are easily treatable. However, if a person delays treatment, a tooth infection can spread to other parts of the body. Once the infection has spread, it can quickly lead to severe and potentially life threatening complications.
However, the longer you wait to get your infection treated, the more likely it is that the infection can spread to other areas, such as the jawbone, cheek, neck, and beyond. In very rare cases, the infection can travel to the bloodstream, heart, or brain, which can be life-threatening.
The patient should seek emergency help if the infection has become so painful and cannot be managed with over-the-counter medication.
If it's something where the pain is so severe, you just cannot get it under control, you can come to the ER. Just keep in mind we won't be able to do a whole lot more than maybe put you on some antibiotics to cool down that infection in your tooth, get you some pain medication, get you feeling a little better.
The following are signs you have a serious infection: Severe headache. Constant vomiting. Bloodstained vomit, stool, or urine.
A persistently high fever, dizziness, lightheadedness, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion, and digestive problems are potential signs of sepsis and should be treated as a medical emergency.
A dentist or endodontist may therefore prescribe an antibiotic when the infection is severe, it has spread into the jaw, or if the patient has a weakened immune system.
If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
A tooth abscess can't heal on its own. Sometimes, an abscess can rupture on its own, which may partially relieve pressure and pain. But the bacterial infection that caused it will still be present. Professional dental care is always a necessary part of treating a tooth abscess.
If the infection spreads, you may also develop a high temperature (fever) and feel generally unwell. In severe cases, you may find it hard to fully open your mouth and have difficulty swallowing or breathing.
A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums caused by an infection. It needs urgent treatment by a dentist. A dental abscess will not go away on its own.
To help relieve a bacterial infection in your gums or mouth, make a mixture of equal parts 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and water. Swish the hydrogen peroxide solution in your mouth for about a minute, then spit it out, be careful not to swallow the mixture.
Saltwater rinse
A saltwater rinse will kill off some of the bacteria in your mouth and irrigate your mouth. It can rinse some of the debris out of your mouth and if you have an abscess it can help break up the pus surrounding the tooth. You can use regular table salt and warm tap water to make a basic saltwater rinse.
Rinse with salt water
Rinsing with salt water creates a saline mixture to safely begin sterilizing the infection. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of table salt with 1/2 cup of warm tap water. Swish in your mouth for a few minutes before spitting. Repeat every few hours if needed.
In conclusion, the maximum period that an untreated tooth abscess can sustain is 12 months or more. But, such longevity is associated with dangerous complications such as sepsis or even death.
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.
An X-ray of the aching tooth can help identify an abscess. Your dentist may also use X-rays to determine whether the infection has spread, causing abscesses in other areas.
Signs of bacteremia could be slight fever, nausea and distal infection. Rarely, bacteremia may resolve on its own. It also may progress into septicemia, a more serious blood infection that is always accompanied by symptoms such as chills, high fever, rapid heartbeat, severe nausea, vomiting and confusion.
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.
Oral infections are caused by harmful germs and bacteria, and they can develop anywhere in or around the mouth. Like many other diseases, they require immediate care and treatment, whether at home or by a professional, so they don't advance and cause further harm.
Salt Water Rinse
As a result, it helps reduce the pain and spread of disease. Therefore, the next time you have an oral infection or swollen gum, try mixing salt with warm water. Besides killing off some bacteria, salt water helps break down excess abscesses and pus surrounding the tooth.