How To Deal With Swollen Face Due To A Tooth Infection
You are likely to have a swollen face because of tooth abscess. Understand that the tooth abscess is actually an infection of the face, mouth, throat, or jaw and usually begins as a tooth infection. A swollen face from tooth infection requires a dentist’s attention.
1. Treat Tooth Abscess
You will have to talk to your dentist to decide how to treat your tooth abscess. He or she will follow a procedure to clear the infection.
- Your dentist will begin the procedure by making a small incision into the abscess. This helps drain out the pus. The dentist may also use a saline solution to wash the area.
- Your dentist may then decide to perform a root canal. This helps get rid of the infection and save your tooth. The procedure involves drilling down into the tooth to remove affected pulp and drain the abscess. The dentist proceeds by filling and sealing the pulp chamber and root canals. A molar tooth is usually covered with a crown to help maintain its strength.
- In rare cases, your dentist may sometimes recommend the removal of your affected tooth. He or she will drain the abscess and extract the affected tooth.
Whatever the procedure your doctor selects, you are going to get some prescription medications as well. You need to take these antibiotics, especially when the infection has also affected your jaw or nearby teeth. People with a weak immune system also need to take antibiotics.
2. Deal with Swollen Face
Periapical Abscesses: Affecting The Inside Of The Tooth
Periapical abscesses usually occur near the tip of the root of the tooth. They are more common among children than among adults. Children with poor dental hygiene are particularly at risk of periapical abscesses.
Poor dental hygiene, including inadequate brushing or flossing, can cause caries, also known as cavities, which erode the enamel and dentin, admitting bacteria to the pulp. As a result of this, the pulp becomes inflamed, and this can lead to the death of nerves in the tooth. Because dead tissue is more vulnerable to infection, this puts the tooth at high risk of an abscess.
In periapical abscesses, damage to the enamel and dentin, as in the case of later-stage cavities admits bacteria to the pulp, leading to an inflammatory condition known as pulpitis. Periapical abscesses are a common complication of severe, long-term pulpitis. They can cause swelling in the jaw, cheeks and the floor of the mouth.
Treatment For A Tooth Infection
There are many ways for your dentist to treat a tooth infection. The type of treatment depends on several factors, like to what extent the infection has spread, and the initial location of the abscess. Read further as we explain the possible different treatment for a tooth infection.
Root Canal Treatment: It may be necessary to receive a root canal treatment. This can help treat abscesses deep inside the tooth. The procedure requires the dentist to drill into the tooth and remove the pocket of pus and bacteria at the root of the tooth. Once finished, the dentist will fill the space with a material called gutta-percha. After the tooth is healed, the dentist can restore the tooth with a crown, or a filling to prevent an infection from happening again.
Also Check: When To See A Doctor For Yeast Infection
You Have An Abscessed Tooth
Having a cracked or chipped tooth or an untreated cavity can allow bacteria to sneak into the pulpthe soft innardsof your tooth, where they can multiply, says Dr. Stewart. The abscess results in a collection of pus and swelling around the tooth or gums. Translation: Youll have a wicked toothache and some jawline swelling.
Your dentist can prescribe antibiotics and will likely have to perform a root canal to remove the infected nerve. In the meantime, saltwater rinses and over-the-counter painkillers can make you more comfortable.
You’ve Got A Nasty Sinus Infection
If the lining of your sinusesthe air-filled spaces between the eyes and behind your forehead, nose, and cheekbonesbecomes inflamed or infected, they can get clogged with mucus. The pressure caused by that backup causes a dull ache around your eyes, greenish-yellow discharge from your nose, pounding headachesand sometimes, a swollen face.
Most of the time, the infection is caused by a virus . Focus on resting, drink lots of fluids, and try an over-the-counter antihistamine, says Rosalyn Stewart, MD, associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
You May Like: Antibiotics Given For Sinus Infection
Home Remedies For Swollen Cheeks
If you have swollen cheeks, you may wonder if there’s anything you can do at home to make yourself more comfortable. The NIH explains that raising the head of your bed or elevating your head with extra pillows can help reduce facial swelling. If the swelling began after an injury, the NIH suggests applying a cold compress.
However, home remedies aren’t always enough. If the swelling doesn’t go away, or if it gets worse, the NIH recommends seeing a medical professional. Swelling that’s sudden, painful or accompanied by a fever should always be evaluated by a doctor or dentist. If your facial swelling is making it hard for you to breathe, seek emergency treatment.
What Is The Management For A Dental Abscess
- With a dental abscess, as with each and every illness, it is important to comply with a doctor’s instructions for follow-up care.
- Proper treatment often means reassessment, multiple visits, or referral to a specialist.
- Cooperate with doctors by following instructions carefully to ensure the best possible outcome.
Don’t Miss: What Antibiotics Are Prescribed For Tooth Infection
What To Do If My Face Is Swollen From An Infected Tooth
Few things are as painful as a tooth infection. Fear of the dentist is quite common: a bad experience or remarks that scare you can put the annual visit that we all need to postpone. Having a swollen face from an infected tooth can be a big problem, because the infection can spread to other delicate areas or it can get worse, especially in people with low defenses.
The first thing you should do if you think your face is swollen from an infected tooth is to go to a dental center or at least a health center. But in the meantime, if you ask yourself what to do if my face is swollen from an infected tooth you can read this article by FastlyHealto get ideas on how to take care of yourself and what you can do until you get to the consultation.
Index
Swollen Face From Tooth Infection
When your tooth becomes infected, you may experience a severe toothache with swelling. These abscesses can be extremely painful and may even lead to enlargement of lymph glands near your infected tooth. You may even develop a swollen face. You usually need professional evaluation to resolve the issue to prevent further complications.
Read Also: What Do Doctors Prescribe For Yeast Infections
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 :
- Fever
- 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.
Can an Infected Tooth Make You Sick?
Poor oral hygiene and neglected dental care allow the harmful bacteria in your mouth to cause infections. Eventually, an untreated tooth infection can make you sick.
If left untreated, a dental abscess can have serious consequences on your oral health and entire body.
Why Does A Tooth Get Infected
If you wonder what to do if my face is swollen from an infected tooth, first of all it is to know the cause. An infection in a tooth can have different origins:
- Bad hygiene habits : the lack of brushing and correct cleaning of the teeth can cause cavities and bacterial proliferation in the mouth.
- Bad eating habits : such as excess sugar and unhealthy foods.
- Lack of regular dental control : if you go to a dentist frequently, it is possible to diagnose lesions in early stages, such as cavities. If they destroy the tooth, it is more likely to become infected.
- Periodontitis : it is the infection of the gum and the tissues that surround a tooth. In these cases there is usually exposure of the tooth roots with retraction of the gingiva.
- Trauma : a blow or injury to the mucosa can give access to bacteria and cause an infectious disease.
Read Also: Can Hiv Cause Ear Infection
Home Remedies For Abscess Tooth With Swollen Face
What is an Abscess Tooth? An abscess tooth is a type of infection. It is also called periodontal abscess. Usually, when a part of the mouth becomes irritated or injured, bacteria may enter the mouth and cause infections.
In the presence of an infection, an abscess forms in order to form a barrier around the infection and keep it from spreading. An abscess is a defense mechanism of the body, which means that it is trying to do you more good than you think. However, a tooth abscess is extremely painful, and may eventually cause complications.
An untreated abscess can damage the bone and teeth that surrounds it. There is also a chance that the infection will spread to the other parts of the body. Because of this, it is important that an abscess tooth immediately gets the treatment that it needs.
What causes an abscess tooth?
A tooth abscess may be caused by any of the following:
Food that gets stuck in between the teeth Underlying periodontal disease Present infection on a tooths nerve
What are the signs and symptoms of an abscess tooth?
An abscess usually starts out as a severe toothache that does not seem to go away. The quality of pain associated with a tooth abscess is usually a throbbing, sharp, or shooting kind of pain.
Other symptoms of an abscess tooth are:
Redness and swelling of the gums Presence of sore with pus Bitter taste in the mouth Foul smell of breath Fever
What are the home remedies for abscess tooth?
1. Warm salt-water solution
3. Tea bags
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.
Recommended Reading: How Do They Test For A Sinus Infection
I Almost Died From A Tooth Infection My Face Was The Size Of A Football & I Still Couldnt Get A Dentist Appointment
- Leanne Hall
- 15:11 ET, Aug 8 2021
- Leanne Hall
- Invalid Date,
A WOMAN has revealed how she almost died from a tooth infection after her dental practice cancelled her emergency appointment.
Tori uploaded the video to her TikTok account, torireign, where it has been viewed over 200,000 times.
In the video, Tori explains what led to her being hospitalised.
She started the video writing: “A short story about how my tooth almost killed me.”
Tori explains that she woke up one morning with a sore tooth but didn’t think too much of it.
Throughout the day her face began to swell and her tooth became really painful.
Tori documented the swelling throughout the video and you can visibly see the swelling appear.
Tori claims at this point she called her dentist to try and get an emergency appointment.
The receptionist told Tori that there were no more appointments available that day but would schedule her in the following day.
Overnight, Tori’s face swelled so much it became the size of a football.
Tori still goes to the dentist as planned, but claims the nurse told her they had cancelled the appointment and forgot to tell Tori.
Again, the dentist told Tori she would be booked in the next day.
At this point Tori said it was getting difficult to breathe properly and called the hospital to tell them about her symptoms.
The nurse immediately told Tori to go straight to A& E.
A week later, Tori finally had the surgery she needed and is now doing a lot better.
Swelling Caused By A Bee Sting
If a venomous bee sting caused the swelling, remove the stinger immediately. Dont use tweezers to remove the stinger. Tweezers can pinch the stinger, causing it to release more venom.
Use a playing card instead:
Read Also: Ear Infection Hurts So Bad
What Natural Home Remedies Relieve Pain From A Dental Abscess
There are no home remedies for a dental infection once it is present, but it is possible to manage the symptoms of the discomfort and swelling.
- People who have cavities or toothaches can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen or naproxen , as needed for relief of pain and inflammation. As an alternative to or in addition to NSAIDs, acetaminophen may be also taken. These medications may help the pain, but they will not treat the infection. Follow-up with a health care professional is always indicated.
- If an abscess ruptures by itself, warm-water rinses will help cleanse the mouth and encourage drainage. Even then, a follow-up visit to a dentist is important.
- Infectious swelling accompanying a dental abscess is different than inflammatory swelling, and application of ice or cold packs to the area is not recommended.
Reasons For Toothache May Include:
- Tooth decay when bacteria wears down tooth enamel, this can expose the more sensitive dentine layer underneath
- Gum disease if gingivitis develops into more severe gum disease, this can cause the gums to recede and teeth to ache and come loose
- Root canal infection if tooth decay or other damage reaches the soft centre of the tooth , this can cause severe tooth pain and sensitivity
- Chipped or cracked tooth injuries to teeth can cause pain and sensitivity and may leave the tooth open to infection
- Loose or broken filling if part of a filling, crown or other dental work comes loose or falls out, this can leave the underlying tooth vulnerable
- Dental abscess severe tooth decay or gum disease can cause a painful abscess to develop inside the gum
- Impacted wisdom tooth if a wisdom tooth or other tooth is stuck inside the gum, this can be painful and also cause swelling
- Teeth grinding if you grind or clench your teeth when you sleep , this can put strain on your teeth and cause them to hurt in the morning
- Mouth ulcer an ulcer can cause pain in nearby teeth
- Sinus infection pressure or swelling in the sinuses may cause toothache, especially in the upper jaw
- Jaw problems a misaligned jaw or other problems with the jaw or temporomandibular joints can cause an uneven bite and toothache
Don’t Miss: Best Over The Counter Tooth Infection Medicine
Periodontal Abscesses: Affecting The Gums
Periodontal abscesses are more common among adults than children and are often a complication of gum disease. They tend to originate in the alveolar bone and periodontium. Gum disease or injury can cause teeth to become loose and/or inflamed, including the surrounding area. The resulting pocket that forms between the tissue and the tooth is vulnerable to infection by bacteria which can then form a periodontal abscess.
Can Dental Problems Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes
When youre starting to feel a little sick, you may notice some swelling on the sides of your neck. Those tiny lumps feel soft and tender to the touch and may even hurt a little. These are called lymph nodes. Swollen lymph nodes are common and are a good sign. The swelling in these lumps is one of your bodys reactions to illness or infection.
When your lymph nodes get swollen, it means your immune system is working to clear away infection and viruses or bacteria. These swollen lumps act like filters that help your body get rid of cells or foreign matter that passes through your lymph fluid and are located throughout your body in the jaw, arms, groin, abdomen, and legs.
The lymph nodes that swell up are the ones located closest to the area of the infection or illness. For example, the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes in the neck is an upper respiratory infection. Lymph nodes can swell up with pretty much any kind of infection, including dental issues.
Don’t Miss: How Do They Diagnose A Sinus Infection