When thinking about tooth infection, your first idea would be just a toothache and soreness in the area. However, in exceptional conditions, the outcome of what seems like an uncomplicated infection may be fatal. It is necessary to understand what causes the disease and what other serious signs can be noticed if one does not receive timely treatment.
At U Smile Dentistry, we have seen how a tooth infection will progress to the next level and understand how long it may take for a tooth infection to become mortal, how rapidly these infections spread, and how you can forestall serious outcomes.
Can Popping a Gum Abscess Kill You?
Risk Factors
A tooth infection typically begins when bacteria penetrate deep into the tooth, either due to:
- Cavities that the dentist has not treated have extended to the tooth’s pulp.
- Periodontics or gum disease that advances to the root of the tooth.
- An injury to teeth, say a cracked or chipped tooth, which provides a gap where bacteria can invade.
- Abscesses from problematic dental fillings, crowns, or any other poorly done dental work cause bacteria to penetrate the pulp.
When bacteria penetrate the pulp, which is the soft, sensitive, fleshy center of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels, the pulp becomes inflamed and infected. This results in a dental abscess, in which pus starts to form and can cause anything from intense pain to swelling and other symptoms.
Can a Tooth Infection Kill You?
Day 1-3
The infection is usually mild initially; patients feel mild pain in the tooth or sensitivity to cold and hot foods. Most people would not consider it more severe to warrant going to the dentist by this time. Yet, within the next few days at most, the infection occurs and worsens the pain, swelling, and sensitivity.
Day 3-7
Once an infection has been left untreated for 3-7 days, it will spread to the surrounding tissues. As the abscess continues to drain, you may experience heightened feelings of swelling pain when chewing food, and you might even have what tastes like a cottonmouth! You are experiencing a nasty infection when you have swelling on your face and jaws and a fever.
After 1 Week
At this stage, the infection may spread to other areas further away from the tooth and to the gum tissue. If you do not treat it early, the bacteria can go around your body through the bloodstream or move to sinuses or jawbones. It can also go to your head or become a blood infection, like sepsis, which can be life-threatening.
If the infection goes to your blood or organs, severe signs, such as breathing problems, chest pain, confusion, and fever, may occur. Severe sepsis reaches a point where organs fail, or death is imminent if not treated as soon as possible.
Tooth Infection Spreads to Blood
Once a tooth infection spreads, the consequences can be severe, sometimes even fatal. Here are some of the most serious complications that can arise if a dental infection is left untreated:
- Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
Infection can spread to your jaw or face bones, resulting in osteomyelitis, a disease of the bone. Deep pain and swelling in the affected area are symptomatic, and treatment is done through long-term antibiotics or surgery to remove the infected bone tissue. - Ludwig’s Angina
Ludwig’s angina is one of the most dangerous complications and is a lousy form of cellulitis involving the tissues of the floor of the mouth and neck. As a result, this condition can obstruct the children’s airway and make breathing difficult. Ludwig’s angina can become fatal if it is not treated soon. - Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis
When the infection goes to the sinuses, it can cause cavernous sinus thrombosis, a rare but severe condition when a blood clot is in a large vein at the base of the brain. If untreated promptly, vision loss, paralysis, and even death may occur. - Endocarditis
The bacteria from a tooth infection don’t always stay in the tooth. If they enter your bloodstream, they can reach your heart, called endocarditis. It’s an infection of the lining of the heart’s four chambers and valves that can cause heart failure if not treated right away. - Brain Abscess
One hazardous complication is the development of a brain abscess in which pus collects in the brain tissue. These symptoms include severe headaches, fever, confusion, and problems such as weakness or trouble speaking. Brain abscesses must be treated immediately with medical intervention, such as surgery to drain abscesses and antibiotics. - Sepsis
One of the most dangerous risks of tooth infection is sepsis. This life-threatening condition happens when our body responds to the infection as it goes into a state of widespread inflammation that can damage your tissues and organs or lead to death. If you have sepsis, you need to be taken into the hospital immediately, receive intravenous antibiotics, and be put in intensive care.
Can a Gum Infection Kill You?
The rate at which an infection spreads and the severity of the illness determines how soon a tooth infection becomes terminal. It could take one week or a month before the infection becomes severe. Yet, the longer one delays before visiting a doctor, the more likely they will be experiencing severe consequences. No matter the duration, immediate attention to any form of oral infection is of utmost importance.
How to Treat a Tooth Infection Properly
Visiting a dentist as early as possible if you have a tooth infection is recommended. Here’s what you can expect from a typical treatment plan:
Diagnosis
Even if you ignore the pain, your dentist will examine the infected tooth and may order an X-ray to see how deep and widespread the infection is.
Draining the Abscess
Sometimes, you might develop an abscess, requiring the dentist to drain it to relieve pressure and drain out the pus.
Root Canal Treatment
A type of root canal is usually done when the pulp is infected, and the dentist has to remove the pulp and clean the area before closing it off to other infections.
Tooth Extraction
Extraction may be required if the tooth is beyond repair or possibly beyond the acceptable standard of restoration. This reduces transmission of the infection and gives any affected area time to recover.
Antibiotics
Your dentist may have to prescribe some antibiotics to complement the treatment, usually given where the infection has spread beyond the tooth.
Can Antibiotics Alone Cure a Tooth Infection?
Most dentists prescribe antibiotics for tooth infections because even though antibiotics do not solve the problem, they can be used to manage it. They may decrease infection in the short term and prevent reinfection, but they do not help eradicate the infection source, such as a rotting tooth or abscess. As soon as this wears off, the infection will return if the source of the infection that needs a root canal or extraction is not treated.
At U Smile Dentistry, once you come complaining of any pain related to your teeth, we resolve the pain and look at the cause of the problem to avoid such symptoms.
Will Listerine Kill Tooth Infection?
While Listerine is a popular mouthwash known for its antibacterial properties, it is not a cure for tooth infections. Listerine can help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and provide temporary relief from bad breath. Still, it does not penetrate deep enough to address the underlying causes of a tooth infection, such as abscesses or pulpitis.
Why Choose U Smile Dentistry for Your Dental Care?
At U Smile Dentistry, the prime notion is that your mouth and health matter. With the help of innovation, we deliver services that include the prevention of tooth infections, diagnosis, and treatment for all underlying infections provided by the best technologists. Here’s what sets us apart:
Emergency Dental Appointments: You should know that an accident and other dental issues might happen at any time; we are always prepared to provide you with an emergency-like appointment.
Expert Dentists: The highly qualified team of caregivers is ready to offer profound and practical treatment and identify the source of a disorder.
State-of-the-art technology: Our clinic ensures quality and comfortable treatment with good vision of x-rays and the latest instruments used in surgical operations.
Patient-Focused Care: Informing you about our treatment options is also how we ensure you know what we recommend to have done to your teeth.
Do not let a minor discomfort in the teeth become much worse. So, if you notice any sign of infection, then it’s time for you to visit U Smile Dentistry! Call us. Your smile and your health are worth it.
