What Happens If A Tooth Infection Isnt Treated
Can a tooth infection make you sick? Absolutely. Not only can a tooth infection cause stomach problems, but it can also adversely affect your entire body, and it can kill you. Inflammation is a significant component of an infection or abscess, and when inflammation spreads to your major organs, they can stop functioning.
The Tooth Infection Is Drained
It may be necessary in some cases to drain the pus directly from the site of infection. Drainage to remove the pus from an abscess at the back of the mouth may happen at your dentist office .
Even though most tooth infections can be easily treated, treatment should never be delayed. Untreated tooth infections can cause the tooth infection to spread to other parts of the body. If a tooth infection spreads, it could become life threatening. Therefore, if you suspect that you have a tooth infection, seek immediate dental treatment. The most effective way to prevent a tooth infection is to have good oral health care. Limit your sugar intake, brush your teeth and floss twice daily, and have good dental care habits by visiting yourdentist for regular cleanings and exams.
What Is A Root Canal
A root canal is the treatment needed when the pulp, or the soft tissue inside of the tooth containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue deep inside of the root of the tooth, becomes infected. Infections usually occurs due to an injury, a chip or crack in the tooth, or a severe, untreated cavity. The root canal consists of creating an opening in the tooth to remove the infected pulp and then sealing the tooth to prevent against future infection.
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Are Meningitis And Encephalitis Contagious
Some forms of bacterial meningitis and encephalitis are contagious and can be spread through contact. For example, meningococcal meningitis is easily spread among people who live together such as college students in a dormitory. If you have recently been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis or encephalitis, talk with your doctor to find out if you need prophylactic antibiotics, which can help prevent a bacterial infection.
How Can A Tooth Infection Spread
As with any infection in your body, a tooth infection will spread through the bloodstream. Your bloodstream consistently carries blood through your veins to your heart to your arteries and back to the veins, so any infection thats present in any part of your body will be available to all other parts of your body.
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Be Vigilant If You Already Have A Health Issue
People with certain diseases are more at risk for oral disease because theyve already experienced a failure of the immune system, Burhenne said. Its easy for some people to see dental or oral problems as a completely separate thing from other illness or disease, but thats not how the body works.
Signs That A Tooth Infection Is Spreading
Dental infections are no fun at all, and without proper treatment, the infection in the tooth can spread to other parts of your body. This can lead to serious complications, and may be life threatening. Your mouth is full of bacteria from food that you eat, and from saliva and plaque. This bacteria can enter into your tooth and result in an abscessed tooth. The tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms inside your tooth or gums. The good news is that tooth infections or abscessed tooth are easily treatable. Just as long as you do not delay treatment. Read further as we discuss signs that a tooth infection is spreading, and the complications that may arise if you do not get prompt dental attention.
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Symptoms Of Tooth Infection Spreading To Body
- Puffiness of the jaw area around the tooth
- Soreness of the tooth and surrounding areas
- Facial swelling on the side of the infected tooth
- Fever or elevated body temperature
- Headaches, migraines or ear aches.
Another way that dental infections can spread to your bloodstream is by swallowing food and drinking beverages which are some activities of daily living. Think about it, we chew and swallow food in the same mouth where dental bacteria in a deep cavity are residing. Do you think that is a healthy environment for your mouth and body?
The obvious way to prevent this is to simply brush, floss, and use mouth rinse regularly. The best dental advice I can give is to focus on prevention to stop these problems from occurring before they start.
Now that we have covered tooth-related infections, let us speak to gum-related infections.
The Brain And Bacterial Infection
When a bacterial infection reaches your brain, it can become life threatening infections in the long run. The brain will soon start swelling. In actuality, it is not only an abscessed tooth that can cause this brain condition.
Life threatening infections also include heart and lung infections. Besides that, an ear or sinus infection is also a . Would you want your life to be in danger because of these infections?
Given these points, it would be best not to neglect any symptoms of infection. This way, you can prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body. Otherwise, you are opening an opportunity of endangering yourself in the end.
Since we are talking more about a tooth infection, let me give you further relevant information. But, first, lets see how the brain allows us to know that a bacterial infection from a tooth has already reached its perimeter.
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What You Can Do To Keep Your Teeth Healthy & Thriving
Protect Your Brain Health By Preventing Poor Dental Health
Do you want to minimize your risk of developing brain diseases like memory loss, dementia and Alzheimerâs?
You can prevent poor brain health by maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Here are the top three things you should do to keep your teeth healthy and thriving:
Do you need a new family dentist?
Great news: the best dental office in Leander is accepting new patients right now.
Tooth Infection Spread To Brain Symptoms
As we mentioned, an infection can travel and reach the brain. For this reason, you have to know this tooth infection spread to brain symptoms.
1 Fever
First and foremost, the most common symptom associated with an infection spread is fever. This symptom results from the bodys attempt to fight the virus or bacteria that causes the infection. Besides that, it may come along with chills as well.
2 Headache
Next to fever is a headache. However, it is not a typical one. With an infection spread to the brain, it often leads to a severe headache. Furthermore, this severe headache occurs in a single section of the head only. Unfortunately, not even painkillers can relieve this severe headache. That is why youll be needing a doctors help.
3 Mental State Changes
With an infection affecting your brain, it can also cause mental state and personality changes. For example, a person with this condition usually experiences confusion and gets irritated quickly. They may even have decreased responsiveness as well.
4 Vision Changes
A tooth infection spread to the brain can also cause changes in your eyes. Your vision may become blurry, greying, or perhaps a double vision. It is the effect of the pressure on your optic nerve because of the abscess.
5 Nerve Function Issues
An infection that reaches your brain can affect the function of your nerves. In effect, your muscles may feel weak, have speech problems, or become paralyzed on one side of the body.
6 Seizures
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How Is An Abscessed Tooth Diagnosed
In addition to examining the tooth and surrounding tissue for signs of infection, your dentist may:
- Recommend an X-ray. This can help identify sources of dental disease that may have led to the infection. Your dentist can also use X-rays to determine if the infection has spread and may be affecting other areas.
- Recommend a CT scan. If the infection has spread to other areas within the neck, this will help to identify the extent of the infection.
- Tap and press on your teeth. A tooth with an abscess is often sensitive to touch or pressure.
- Thermal tests. These tests will help your dentist determine the health of your pulpal tissues.
How Is A Cerebral Abscess Treated
Your healthcare provider can treat cerebral abscesses with medicines, including antibiotics or drugs to fight a fungal infection. Your healthcare provider may also give you steroid drugs to lower pressure in your brain, or other drugs to reduce seizures.
You may need surgery, especially for larger abscesses. Your surgeon will go through your skull to expose your brain. He or she will drain material in the abscess and, if possible, remove it entirely. If the abscess is deep in your brain, your surgeon may need to drain it with a needle, with help from a CT or MRI scan. These help direct the needle to the right area.
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Dont Wait Any Longer Visit Your Leander Family Dentist Now
Schedule Your Appointment With Apple Springs Family Dentistry
Are you past due for your routine teeth cleaning?
As a reminder, you should get your teeth professionally cleaned every 6 to 12 months depending on your oral health history.
If itâs been a while since your last check up or if youâre experiencing symptoms of tooth decay or gum disease, donât wait any longer.
Schedule your appointment with Apple Springs Family Dentistry right now.
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3421 N Lakeline Blvd, Suite 230Leander, Texas 78641
Causes Of Tooth Infection Spread
There are a few ways that a tooth infection can spread to the jawbone. The most common way is through the blood vessels. When bacteria from the disease enter the bloodstream, they can travel to the jaw bone and cause an infection. Another way that the tooth infection spreads to the jawbone is through direct contact with the infected tooth. If you have an open wound or sore in your mouth, bacteria from the infected tooth can enter and cause an infection.
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Will This Tooth Infection Spread To My Brain
Posted on November 22, 2019 by writeradmin.
I went to the dentist because I suspected I had a tooth infection. It turned out I was right. What worries me is the dentist doesnt seem that worried about it. He scheduled me to come back in several weeks. While he did prescribe an antibiotic, he told me not to start taking it until the week before the procedure. Ive been told that a tooth infection can spread to your brain. Should I be worried about that in this case? It seems like a long time to wait.
Percy
Dear Percy,
You are correct that a tooth infection could grow and spread to the brain. It can also spread down the lower jaw and interfere with breathing or reach your heart. However, that doesnt necessarily mean your dentist is putting your life in danger.
There are some tooth infections which are so small, they dont pose a threat to you at the moment. If it were to start spreading, youd feel increased pain and the area would swell. At that point, it would be considered a dental emergency. The smart thing to do then would be to call your dentist tell him what is going on. You would start taking the antibiotic right away at that point.
Bear in mind, an antibiotic isnt enough when it comes to a dental infection. The dentist has to physically remove the infected pulp. This is done with a root canal treatment. Then, your dentist will protect the tooth with a dental crown.
This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Family Dentist, Dr. Raymond Bolt.
Can Poor Oral Health Lead To Poor Brain Health Dementia Or Worse
Are you aware of all the serious health risks that exist when you have poor oral health?
When you lack proper oral hygiene, you run the risk of suffering from tooth decay, gum disease, periodontitis and more.
If left untreated, these dental health complications can progress to more serious, life threatening conditions.
Did you know that you can also develop brain-related complications when you neglect your oral health care?
Thatâs right: studies found a link between poor oral health and poor brain health.
What that means for you?
Your oral health can affect your brain health. And this is perhaps one of the most dangerous outcomes that can result from bad dental hygiene.
Not sure if you have poor oral health?
Here are some examples of poor oral hygiene:
- Eating foods high in sugar
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
And much moreâ¦
Teeth brushing tip: for good oral health, you should brush your teeth 2-3 times per day and floss daily.
Do you want to make sure you maintain a healthy mouth so you can prevent serious brain-related diseases from happening to you?
In this article, you will learnâ¦
- How your teeth and your brain are connected
- Brain health complications that can result from poor oral health
- Signs you might be experiencing tooth decay or gum disease
- What you can do to keep your teeth healthy and thriving
And much, much moreâ¦
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When To Get Medical Advice
Any symptoms that suggest a problem with the brain and nervous system should be treated as a medical emergency. These include:
- muscle weakness or paralysis
- seizures occurring in a person with no previous history of seizures
If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Any symptoms that suggest a worsening infection, such as a high temperature or being sick, should be reported to your GP immediately.
If your GP is not available, contact your local out-of-hours service or call NHS 111.
How Is A Cerebral Abscess Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and may do a neurological exam to look for changes in motor and sensory function, vision, coordination and balance, mental status, and mood or behavior. They may also order a number of tests to diagnose a cerebral abscess:
- Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan of your head
- Blood tests to look for signs of germs and other signs of infection
- Tests of a sample from the abscess to determine the cause of your infection
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection
If your tooth is infected, your pain may be:
- Gnawing or throbbing.
- Continuous or only when chewing.
- Radiating to the jawbone, neck or ear.
Other oral symptoms of infection include:
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
- Bitter taste in the mouth.
- Foul-smelling breath.
- Swollen area in the upper or lower jaw.
- Open, draining sore on the side of the gum.
In addition, you may experience more generalized symptoms like:
- General discomfort, uneasiness or ill feeling.
Symptoms Of Tooth Infection Spreading To The Brain
A dental abscess can also travel to the brain, leading to the development of another abscess. If the infection reaches your brain, it can be life-threatening.
Since a brain abscess is so dangerous, the condition requires a visit to the hospital or emergency room for urgent treatment. A brain abscess is relatively rare but can occur if the dental infection is left untreated.
Symptoms of a brain abscess :
- Going in and out of consciousness
Summary
Dental abscesses can lead to brain abscesses . This is why you should never leave them untreated. Vision changes and body weakness on one side are common with brain abscesses.
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Oral Soft Tissue Infection
An infection in one of the teeth that has roots leading to the sinus area can result in a sinus infection. This condition can be very painful and difficult to treat once it sets in.
Furthermore, any soft tissue inside the mouth and its surroundings are vulnerable to being affected by the infection.
When the abscess spreads to these areas, this can cause several complications ranging from problems with the airway to facial cellulite.