While it is rare for a tooth infection or “tooth abscess” to spread to other parts of your body, it can happen. And, if it does happen, the consequences can be quite severe. If you suspect that a tooth infection spread, you do not want to put off seeing your dentist , call for dental treatment as soon as possible.
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.
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.
It is rare for a tooth infection to spread to other parts of the body. However, if this does happen, the consequences can be severe. The following symptoms could indicate that a tooth infection has spread to another part of the body.
Sepsis following a bacterial infection from a dental condition or treatment is rare. This life-threatening condition can occur if patients are not managed appropriately.
If you have a severe tooth infection, your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics to prevent it from spreading. 1 Antibiotics may prevent tooth loss and other serious health complications.
Leaving an infection to spread to your facial bones may eventually necessitate surgical removal to stop it. Even in minor cases, a tooth infection can cause the bone structures of your jaw to weaken, making it hard to support your teeth.
The Danger of Untreated Infected Teeth and Gums
An infection in your body is considered a threat. If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years. There are two types of dental abscess – one can form under the tooth (periapical) and the other in the supporting gum and bone (periodontal).
How quickly does a tooth abscess progress? Abscesses can develop relatively quickly - as little as one or two days after the first signs of infection. They may progress undetected and therefore untreated, and develop for months or even years.
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. Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!
A cut can appear anywhere on the body. When germs get into the sensitive tissues beneath our skin via the cut, the cut may become infected. An infection can develop any time between two or three days after the cut occurred until it's visibly healed.
The bottom line. It's possible for a tooth infection to lead to serious or potentially life-threatening complications. Some examples include sepsis, Ludwig's angina, and cavernous sinus thrombosis. If a tooth infection goes untreated, it can spread to other areas of the body over a period of weeks or months.
If the infection has spread or you have a generalized infection, you may develop other signs and symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, pain, etc. Sometimes however, you may have an infection and not know it, and not have any symptoms.
If you have severe pain, are having trouble breathing, or notice any signs of sepsis, an emergency room can provide you with more prompt care. Never ignore an infected tooth, because it will not go away on its own, and the symptoms and pain will likely worsen quickly.
If the signs of infection are evident, the patient is prescribed some antibiotics before the tooth extraction. Why is tooth extraction needed? If left untreated, the infection may reach other parts such as the jaw, head, or neck.
All dentists are qualified to perform emergency tooth extractions if and when necessary. Tooth extractions are a relatively common oral surgical procedure and may be necessary if your tooth is severely damaged or infected.
You'll likely take antibiotics for 7 to 10 days to get rid of your tooth infection. Dentists usually have a few different options of antibiotics that they prescribe, which we'll cover below.
"When an infection reaches a certain point, this can happen in a matter of hours." Sepsis usually starts out as an infection in just one part of the body, such as a skin wound or a urinary tract infection, Tracey says.
The early symptoms of sepsis include: a high temperature (fever) or, due to changes in circulation, a low body temperature instead. chills and shivering.
blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, blueness may be easier to see on the lips, tongue or gums, under the nails or around the eyes. a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis. difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast.
Antibiotics alone won't treat sepsis; you also need fluids. The body needs extra fluids to help keep the blood pressure from dropping dangerously low, causing shock.
Early stages of tooth abscess may not feel any pain or swelling at first. As soon as your body sends the dead white blood cells to the infected area, you may start to experience any of the following symptoms: Pain around your ear, jaw, or neck. Pain when chewing, biting, or when you lie down.
When the pus drains from your mouth is causes a bad taste (salty, metallic, or sour) and a foul odor in your mouth. The pain from a dental abscess shows itself in different forms. Temperature sensitivity is common, meaning cold and hot things that touch your tooth will hurt.