Can A Tooth Infection Kill Me
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If You Have A Tooth Infection
If you have a tooth infection and youre wondering how long can a tooth abscess go untreated, you should stop wondering and go to an emergency dentist or your local urgent care facility. An abscessed tooth is a severe issue that shouldnt go untreated. Youll more than likely lose the tooth, but thats preferable to many of the alternatives. You can also have a dental crown or dental implant placed where the abscessed tooth was located.
If youre wondering, what can a tooth infection cause then the short answer is an abscess. A tooth infection can also cause severe pain, infection in other parts of the body, and loss of your tooth. Even though a tooth infection can start as a relatively minor issue, it can escalate into a serious problem, so if you have a tooth infection, dont delay seeking treatment.
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How Long Can You Live With An Infected Tooth
Surprisingly, many people can live for months and even years with an infected tooth and be asymptomatic. Despite the fact that it can be asymptomatic and dormant at times, the infection coming from your tooth can definitely kill you if left untreated for an extended period of time.
How long it takes for a tooth infection to kill you would depend on the stage that the tooth infection is in. Each situation is different but for some people they can spend months to years in between the infection stages while the unlucky ones will progress through them quickly within days if not hours.
It would be helpful to understand the different stages of a tooth infection so that you can have a rough idea for how long before it can kill you and what you need to do about it.
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How Can I Drain An Abscessed Tooth Myself
How to drain a gum abscess at home
How A Tooth Infection Progresses
Bacteria that reside inside your mouth can cause tooth infections. These bacteria are normally present in a healthy mouth, but a good oral hygiene routine controls their population. Brushing and flossing regularly disrupt the buildup of plaque, bacteria, and waste products, preventing them from causing any harm.
However, neglecting your oral hygiene allows plaque and bacteria to build up. The bacteria thrive on the food particles in the plaque, multiplying and producing acids that can eat through tooth enamel the strong, outermost layer of a tooth that protects the sensitive nerves and blood vessels inside. Even more alarming is that if you have existing cavities or a cracked, chipped, or split tooth, the bacteria have a direct path of entry directly into the tooth.
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Help In A Hurry: Emergency Dentist Near Me Open Today
Sudden tooth pain can catch you by surprise. If you must find emergency dental care quickly, look online for the nearest dentist or emergency dentist near me. You can often call any dentist and get a recording explaining who to call for an emergency.
You may also be able to get information from your local hospital emergency room, as they often have resources for different situations. It is very helpful to have a dentist open near me if you have kids that play sports, as this is when many injuries happen.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tooth Infection Spreading To The Body
Symptoms of tooth infection spreading:
If your tooth infection has spread to other parts of your body, you may experience a general malaise that includes dizziness, fatigue, or a headache.
Symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the bloodstream:
If your tooth infection has spread to your bloodstream, then you may become dehydrated. Your urine will be darker and lower in quantity, and you may become confused. Your face may be swollen, and you may experience difficulty in opening your mouth, breathing, or swallowing. You may experience a fever and chills, flushed skin, or sweating.
Symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the heart:
If your tooth infection has spread to your heart, your pulse and respiration may increase, and you may become lightheaded. If you have symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the heart, then go to your dentist or urgent care facility immediately.
Can a tooth infection cause stomach problems?
One of the primary components of an infection is inflammation. When the inflammation travels to your stomach via your bloodstream, then you can experience pain, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Can a tooth infection affect your whole body?
An infected tooth can cause systemic issues throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body can include specific symptoms such as inflammation, soreness, swelling, and fever, or you may just feel generally unwell.
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You May Still Have An Infection If You Are Experiencing:
Pain from an abscess is experienced by most individuals, but it may not be present for months or even years throbbing pain in the teeth and gums an abscess may be large, inflamed, and filled with pus pressure from the pus discomfort from the illness fever swelling of neck glands redness and swelling of gums tooth sensitivity to heat or cold The offending tooth has to be treated, and the infection removed. When this happens, it can play havoc with the nerves of the tooth, causing them to die.
Increased Heart And Breathing Rate
Do you notice that your heart starts beating faster than normal? What about your breathing? Do you feel like you’re panting to get enough air?
Both of these are indications that sepsis is beginning to set in. If this happens to you, don’t wait to get in to see your dentist. You need to see a doctor right away.
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What To Do About An Infected Tooth
If you suspect you have an infected tooth, the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can. 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.
Once your infected tooth has been treated or is healing from the infection and any subsequent procedure, you may experience a little pain or tenderness. You can gently clean the area by swishing salt water in your mouth, and over the counter pain relievers will help ease any discomfort. Follow any instructions that your dentist gives you.
Are you looking for a dentist near you who can treat tooth infections? Klement Family Dental is happy to help! Our caring, compassionate team of professionals understands that sometimes, patients may be nervous when visiting the dentist, especially for a problem like an infected tooth. We strive to make you comfortable and help you relax during your procedure. Oral health is such an important component of your overall health, and we believe you should never avoid the dentist because youre scared. If youre in the St. Petersburg, Florida area,contact us to learn more about the services we offer. We have two convenient locations and a team of expert staff ready to make your next dental visit a pleasant experience.
How Is An Abscessed Tooth Treated
The goal is to get rid of the infection. To do that, the endodontist may try:
Antibiotics. If the infection has spread past the abscess site to your jaw or farther into your body, youâll probably get them. However, they wonât cure the abscess.
Extraction. If the endodontist canât save the tooth, it will have to come out.
Root canal. You may have heard about this common way to treat an abscess. Itâs the best way to save your tooth. The endodontist drills into your tooth and cleans the pulp from inside it and the root canals that go down into your gum. They fill and seal the empty spaces. Youâll either get a filling or a crown. The restored tooth will look and work just like your other teeth.
Surgery. You may need it to drain a periodontal abscess.
Keep in mind, if an abscess ruptures, your pain will ease but you’ll still need treatment from a dentist or endodontist.
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How Common Is Death From A Tooth Infection
The death rates from a tooth infection were approximately 10-40% in the pre-antibiotic era. After the discovery of penicillin, the fatality rate has drastically improved. There aren’t a lot of studies covering the prevalence of death from a tooth infection but from what we can find, the rate was about 0.9% in a study of 297 patients that had deep head and neck space infections.
Even if the chances for survival have drastically improved since the middle ages, our LIC dentists still would not recommend letting an abscess grow into a Ludwig’s angina because that can seriously ruin a few weeks of your life.
Can A Tooth Infection Kill You
How is it that a tooth infection can actually kill you? Well, when you consider that bacteria from severe periodontal disease can spread straight into your bloodstream, lungs, or brain, the concept isnt as far-fetched as it sounds.
An infected tooth can kill you by allowing bacteria to spread elsewhere in your body. Especially your brain and bloodstream.
Lets say for a moment that you have an abscessed tooth. These teeth have cysts around the root that are filled with bad bacteria. Slowly but surely, this cyst or tooth abscess will start to invade the bone structures and soft tissues next to the tooth. It could easily spread into your bloodstream, nasal sinuses, nerves, face, and yes, your brain.
Periodontal infections arent all that different. Even though theres no tooth abscess there, you do have severe inflammation, bleeding, and colonies of bacteria living below the surface of your gum tissues.
Here are several life-threatening situations that can tie back to a toothache and why you shouldnt skip out on that recommended dental work:
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Get Care For Your Tooth Infection With Flossy
Tooth infections occur when the underlying pulp of a tooth becomes exposed to bacteria. While it takes a long time for a tooth infection to become fatal, itâs possible for a tooth infection to develop into sepsis if left untreated.
Typically, this process takes a few months. And even though it may feel like your pain subsides when the abscess bursts, donât be fooled. This is actually the moment where itâs increasingly important to seek dental treatment.
The problem is that a root canal procedure costs nearly $1,400 without insurance, which is inaccessible for many. Getting dental care you need shouldnât mean the difference between life and death.
Itâs time for a change.
Flossy uses a pay-as-you-go model where you only pay for the services you receive. No deductibles, no monthly premiums, and no membership fees. Itâs just transparent pricing you can trust.
No insurance? No problem. Book an appointment with top dentists in your area and get up to 50% off your next service.
Tips To Keep Your Smile Healthy
Dont worry! Even though tooth infections can be fatal, there are many ways you can lower your risk of one. Here are some tips to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile:
- Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks
- Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time
- Floss at least once daily
- Regularly rinse your mouth with an ADA-approved mouthwash
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning
- Avoid poor dental habits like smoking, biting fingernails, using teeth as tools, and chewing on leftover ice
Think you may have a tooth infection? Contact your dentist and make an appointment today! With their help, you can get back to enjoying a pain-free smile in no time!
About the Practice
At Premier Dental Care, were committed to providing personalized, quality, and state-of-the-art dental care thatll exceed even your highest expectations. Our goal is to help you maintain optimal oral health. If you think you may have a tooth infection, dont hesitate to give us a call. Well get you the care you need to restore a healthy smile. You can make an appointment via our website or call 860-8860.
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#help For Tooth Abscess With An Emergency Dentist In My Area
How long until a tooth infection kills you? A tooth infection develops only when the bacteria penetrates into the nerve or soft tissue of the tooth, which is known as the pulp. It might be developed from tooth decay, any previous injury, or a dental process. While it is very rare to kills the tooth infection. But still, people search for this basic question How long until a tooth infection kills you? An untreated tooth infection may spread to other tissues in the body within the week or months. Such things will generally lead to life-threatening difficulties. However, to cover all the things about tooth infection, read on below to learn more about this.
A tooth abscess can be an emergency dental situation. You may have pain, fever, and swelling. Call your dentist immediately if you have pain in your mouth. Sometimes the dentist can catch an infection early enough to avoid complications. An abscess is an infection that usually starts in the pulp of the teeth. The infection then moves to the gumline or even into the bone. An emergency dentist can help to stabilize the situation.
When Can A Tooth Infection Kill You
Fenugreek tea is easy to find at most well being food stores and even in some grocery shops with another medicine or alternative health meals section. Some pure remedies can help you management tooth pain and help cease tooth infections from getting worse. A tooth abscess must be treated by a dentist, but some home cures can relieve the discomfort caused by the an infection. Rinse your mouth with a saltwater or hydrogen peroxide rinse to alleviate pain and swelling. A dentist will make a small incision in your gums to drain the abscess.
Swellings a technically an emergency however yours appears to be draining. If you actually want to rule out a necrotic tooth you can tip a can of those mud cans the other way up and spray onto a fluffed up q tip and press it against your tooth. If youre feeling cold in the teeth they do not seem to be necrotic when you dont feel something dont assume they are although.
Plus the office was nicely prepared and did an excellent job following COVID guidelines. Always nice, very pleasant, and exceptionally clean, diligent and customer centered especially throughout this Covid time. They did every thing attainable to make me comfy with my process. Super nice individuals and thoughtful about taking precautions during this COVID-19.I would recommend them to anyone I know. Happy I discovered a fantastic workplace to satisfy my dental needs.
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What Is An Abscessed Tooth
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection. Abscesses can occur in different places around a tooth for different reasons and affect the involved tooth, but also the surrounding bone and sometimes adjacent teeth. Three types of tooth infections can cause abscesses:
- Gingival: This infection develops in the gums. It does not usually affect the tooth or supporting structures.
- Periapical: A periapical abscess is an infection that forms at the tip of the root. This occurs because bacteria can spread to the inside of the tooth to the pulp through a fracture or cavity. The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. When bacteria invades the pulp, they can spread to the tip of the tooths root causing the infection to spread to the bone eventually leading to an abscess.
- Periodontal: This infection starts in bone and tissues that support the tooth. A periodontal abscess usually results from periodontitis or gum disease and is more common among adults.
How Can A Tooth Infection Kill You
If you dont treat your infected tooth for a long time, it will spread to the other areas of your body, like the brain, neck, and jaw. As a result, serious health complications can occur, leading to possible death.
It typically takes months for a dental abscess to develop. Symptoms like pain, swelling, etc., accompany abscess once it develops. If you ignore the signs and leave the infection untreated, you risk causing health complications. It is also important to practice good oral hygiene to prevent this from happening.
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Can Tooth Infections Be Treated
The good news is that there are several methods for treating a tooth infection that can help to prevent infection from occurring.
While dental fillings are preferred to help correct cavities or small instances of tooth decay, it is typically not possible once an infection has occurred. At this point, the two main options are either root canal or extraction.
A root canal procedure involves removing the infected pulp from the root of a tooth. Then, a dental filling is used to restore the integrity of the tooth. This is preferred instead of extraction as it can preserve the existing tooth.
However, if an infection is too hard to repair, a dentist may need to extract it. Even with extraction, dental implants, dentures, bridges, and veneers can help to restore the appearance of your mouth so that it looks good as new.
If a tooth infection worsens to such an extent that septic shock occurs, sepsis can be treated as long as you seek care immediately. Antibiotic medications are administered right away in addition to the use of intravenous fluids. If necessary, vasopressors can constrict the blood vessels to increase blood pressure if it remains low even after receiving treatment.