Can a Tooth Infection Kill You?
Good dental hygiene is something most of us have heard about since we were old enough to floss. Federal and state government initiatives communicate about proper tooth care, and for good reason.
Until the early 20th century, they were fatal in between 10 and 40 percent of cases. And, without access to proper dental care, they can still cause significant health impacts. Nearly 50 percent of Americans don’t have dental insurance. So when tooth pain is an issue, seeking care isn’t top of mind.
Untreated tooth infections are just like any other. Without adequate or appropriate medical care, they can kill you.
But what can we do to identify these infections before they’re fatal? That’s the subject of our blog today!
Join us as we drill down into this crucial subject.
What is a tooth abscess?
Your teeth are the only bones that exist outside your body. They’re constantly exposed to a wet, acidic environment and can decay if not cared for properly. When compromised through cavities or damage, bacteria can enter the sterile pulp inside your tooth and cause infections.
Because most of the structure of your tooth is encased in soft tissue, signs of an infection aren’t always immediate. As they progress, sometimes over weeks or months, a pus pocket or abscess forms. Usually, they look like dark red, swollen bumps and can spread to the bone or surrounding teeth if left untreated.
As far as health concerns go, a tooth abscess is a severe problem that a healthcare professional must treat.
Symptoms of an abscessed tooth
Mouth pain is one of the first signs of an infected tooth or abscess. It’s nearly impossible to ignore, even if you’ve let a cavity sit untreated for some time already. You’ll feel a gnawing or throbbing pain in your tooth. However, depending on the severity, it could be shooting or sharp, too. Sometimes, you’ll feel it radiate into your bone, neck, or ear.
Other signs include a bitter taste in your mouth and horrible breath. The tooth itself could also loosen. And, in extreme cases, you could have pus draining into your mouth from the gum pocket.
General symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Three types of infections that lead to a tooth abscess
Tooth infections occur anywhere above or below the gumline. Dentists recognize three specific types of abscess-causing issues: gingival, periapical, and periodontal.
Gingival infections develop in your gums and don’t generally involve your teeth.
Periapical infections form at the tip of the root. They’re caused by bacteria invading through a cavity or crack.
Periodontal infections occur deep in the bone and soft tissue that support your teeth.
Who is most at risk for developing an abscessed tooth?
Anyone can suffer from a tooth abscess, but some risk factors make you more likely to develop one.
Poor dental hygiene is a significant cause since brushing, flossing, and cleaning all reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. People who smoke or vape are more than twice as likely to get an abscess than others.
Sometimes, a weakened immune system contributes to a tooth infection. Abscesses develop much more quickly because your body can’t fight off the bacteria.
Health risks associated with abscessed teeth
Letting an infection go untreated can do more than just cause pain. Abscesses can also cause fevers, high blood pressure, chills, extreme pain, and confusion. Some of these are acute symptoms that arise when an infection reaches critical levels.
All of them are part of the body’s response to the growing issue and contribute to sepsis, which is a medical emergency. And, because your mouth is so close to your brain and other vital structures, spreading infections can turn deadly.
Diagnosing and treating tooth infection and abscess
Your dentist will consider several factors when determining whether you’ve got an abscessed tooth. If you think you’re suffering from one, you should make an appointment to see yours as soon as possible.
How dentists diagnose infection or an abscess
During a routine visit, your dentist will check all of your teeth for any signs of cavities or gum disease. Tapping on your teeth gives the dentist a chance to see if there’s any unusual sensitivity.
If you’ve got a tooth that’s painful under pressure or with temperature changes, it could be a sign of infection. They’ll usually use an X-ray image of your mouth to determine the cause. For more severe abscesses, a CT scan may be necessary as well.
Treatment for severe tooth infection or abscess
When your dentist determines that you’ve got an infection or abscess, they have a few options. The least invasive is an incision and drainage, allowing pus to drain. They’ll prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection in most cases.
A root canal is their next method and involves removing all the pulp from an abscessed tooth. Then, they’ll fill the area once the soft material is gone to prevent further infection. They’ll frequently place a crown over the tooth to protect it.
However, if your tooth is too far gone to leave in place, extraction is the only option left.
Your abscessed tooth will not heal itself
For those who like to let the body heal independently, it’s important to note that an abscess won’t heal itself. Even if it ruptures and your pain decreases, the infection can cause more significant problems. It can quickly spread because your tooth is connected to your bone and circulatory system.
Prevention and emergency situations
Catching these issues before they develop into painful and life-threatening emergencies is the best way to deal with them.
What’s the best way to prevent tooth infection?
The best way to prevent tooth infections is to practice good oral hygiene. This is a simple and cost-effective way to avoid painful and expensive medical interventions. Simply brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly are usually enough.
Lifestyle factors like smoking and consuming sugary foods and beverages contribute to tooth decay.
Having your molars sealed is another way to prevent tooth infection in the hard-to-reach back part of your mouth. This physical barrier is made from dental material or plastic that protects your teeth.
When should you go to the ER?
Tooth pain alone isn’t enough to send you rushing to the emergency room. But, if you experience these symptoms with it, it might be a good idea.
Increased body temperature, swollen lymph nodes, headache, nausea or vomiting, and swelling in the face, neck, or eyes are signs that things are out of control. You may also be unable to open your mouth, have a rapid heart rate, and have difficulty breathing.
If you don’t take these symptoms seriously, your tooth infection could kill you!
Coral Reef Dental helps you through any dental emergency!
One of the worst parts about dental emergencies is that they rarely happen during regular office hours. Instead of suffering through until your dentist’s office opens, let Coral Reef Dental help. We’re the Palm Harbor Emergency Dentist of choice and can usually meet you to help in emergency situations. We can help with pain, prescribe antibiotics, and have a complete dental office at our disposal.
When tooth pain becomes an abscess, Coral Reef Dental is ready to help. Check out our website today for more information.