Prognosis for a
Although rare, an untreated tooth infection can kill you. It can also cause other health complications like mediastinitis (inflammation in your lungs), cavernous sinus thrombosis (blood clot of sinuses), and osteomyelitis (infection of bone tissue).
Sepsis following a bacterial infection from a dental condition or treatment is rare. However, it can be a life-threatening condition if patients are not managed appropriately. It is therefore essential providers and their teams are aware of the signs and symptoms of sepsis and how it should be managed.
In very rare cases, the infection can travel to the bloodstream, heart, or brain, which can be life-threatening. For this reason, it's important to seek medical attention as soon as you experience any of the symptoms of a tooth infection, and especially important to see a dentist for regular preventative care.
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.
If a fully developed tooth infection is left untreated, it wouldn't take more than a few weeks or maybe months in some fortunate cases for the tooth infection to start spreading to the other parts and tissues of the body and lead to serious life-threatening complications – Once a tooth infection gets to such a point, ...
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 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.
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.
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.
In case a person does not treat a dental abscess in its initial stage, then the infection may last anywhere between 5 months to 12 months or even more. Moreover, if no treatment is meted out to the condition, the precious dental pulp will die away and may get another abscess.
The resulting small clots or burst blood vessels may damage or destroy tissues. Most people recover from mild sepsis, but the mortality rate for septic shock is about 30% to 40%. Also, an episode of severe sepsis raises the risk for future infections.
The bacterial infection from a tooth abscess can be incredibly dangerous if it spreads to your jaw, neck, or brain, or if you develop sepsis, which is a life-threatening infection that spreads through your body.
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.
A root canal may be recommended in an attempt to save the tooth. If you have a severe infection, your tooth may need to be removed, or you may need surgery to drain the abscess. Some people may need to be admitted to the hospital.
In rarer cases—usually when the abscess is left untreated—a tooth infection can spread. Dental infections often spread locally. However, if the abscessed tooth isn't treated, the infection can continue to spread to other areas of your body and potentially cause sepsis, a life-threatening medical condition.
A dental infection can lead to sepsis. Sepsis, which was often called blood poisoning, is the body's life-threatening response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.
When bacteria invade the pulp, infection can spread to the tip of your tooth's root, then, eventually to the surrounding bone, causing an abscess to form. Periodontal: This infection starts in the bone and tissues that support your teeth.
As sepsis worsens or septic shock develops, an early sign, particularly in older people or the very young, may be confusion or decreased alertness. Blood pressure decreases, yet the skin is paradoxically warm. Later, extremities become cool and pale, with peripheral cyanosis and mottling.
Sepsis can be divided into three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock.
The key to successful treatment for sepsis is timely recognition and prompt use of antibiotics and IV fluids. "The chance of death goes up with every hour of delay," says Dr. Guy.
Penicillin-type antibiotics are also used to treat blood infections (sepsis), meningitis, endocarditis, and other serious infections. Brand names of amoxicillin include Moxatag and Amoxil.
Neglecting tooth decay can be deadly. It can lead to a tooth abscess which is a sign of tooth infection. An untreated tooth abscess can host several complications and lead to life-threatening conditions like sepsis.
Sepsis can affect your mental status. Some people, especially the elderly, may not show typical signs of infection. Instead, they may show a sudden change in mental status, becoming confused, or a worsening of dementia and confusion. Sleepiness, often severe, is also a common complaint.