Do Tooth Infections Go Away On Their Own
No, a tooth infection will not go away on its own. Instead, itll only get worse until the abscess bursts. When this happens, the infection will spread to your jawbone, as well as the rest of your head and neck. You may even develop sepsis, which is life threatening.
Do NOT ignore the symptoms of a tooth infection! If you suspect you have an abscessed tooth, youll need to call our emergency dentists as soon as possible. The sooner you call, the more likely well be able to save your tooth.
For example, our emergency dentists may be able to treat a small abscess with a root canal. Otherwise, youll need emergency tooth extraction.
What Are Wisdom Teeth
Your wisdom teeth are molars. Theyre the large teeth at the back of your mouth, sometimes called the third molars. Theyre the last teeth to grow in. Most people get wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 25.
Like other teeth, a wisdom tooth can:
- become impacted
- get stuck below or in the gumline
If you have a wisdom tooth infection, youll need treatment from a dentist. But not all pain is the result of a tooth infection. Below we discuss treatments for wisdom teeth infection and pain.
Can You Get Implants While Having Gum Disease
No, all patients need healthy, strong gums to start with dental implant procedure. As mentioned above, gum disease can affect both gum tissue and bone and having gum disease during the surgery poses a high risk of further complications. In fact, after the gum disease is treated, you need to be evaluated by the dentist to see if the gum tissue and bone are strong enough to support an implant.
For any dental implant, the bone must be thick and wide enough to safely position and support the implant. Your gum tissue must also fully surround the implant and final restoration.
The good news is that you may be a candidate for a bone and/or soft tissue graft. These are both very common procedures with a high success rate. Once the treatment is completed and tissues have healed, you will be a much better candidate for a dental implant. In fact, thanks to these and other procedures, there are relatively few people who cannot get implants.
You May Like: Yeast Infection Vs Uti Vs Bv
Tooth Infection Symptoms How To Know If You Have An Infected Tooth
Do you have a toothache? Does it hurt when you chew food? Are your teeth sensitive to hot and cold? It sounds like you have a tooth infection and will need to schedule an emergency dental appointment with your dentist. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get. This article discusses why teeth become infected, tooth infection symptoms, and treating the condition with the help of root canal therapy.
When To Contact A Doctor
If you think that you have an infection of any kind, including a tooth infection, contact your healthcare provider or seek medical advice from a K doctor.
If you cant get in at your normal dentists office, seek emergency dental treatment as soon as you can.
Infections can start off small and mild, but if left untreated, they can spread throughout the body. If the infection continues to spread, your immune system may get overwhelmed and trigger inflammation throughout the body, which is called sepsis.
If sepsis isnt untreated, it can result in septic shock, a life-threatening condition that can develop when sepsis causes a persons blood pressure to drop dangerously low.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have sepsis, and you need to go to the emergency room or call 911 right away:
- General malaise
You May Like: Over The Counter Ear Infection Drops
What Causes Tooth Infection
Causes of Tooth Infection Tooth decay results from poor dental hygiene practices. Bacteria builds up from unremoved food chunks and plaques in the teeth, which decays over time resulting in dental caries. When bacteria penetrate the enamel, they infect the pulp tissue leading to an infection known as a tooth abscess…. view details
Feeling Sick All Over The Body
As an unchecked tooth infection starts to spread, you will start noticing the above symptoms more severely. Moreover, you will also start to feel these symptoms all over your body. An infection from your teeth can slip into your bloodstream, spreading these bad symptoms.
Some of the biggest signs that a tooth infection is spreading to the body include frequent headaches, feverishness, dizziness, and face swelling. It may get to the point where you are having difficulty opening or using your mouth because of the swelling. When that occurs, you should go to your local urgent care or emergency dentist to get rid of the infection ASAP.
You May Like: One Day Yeast Infection Medication
Regular Dental Care Can Help Prevent Tooth Infections
The best way to deal with a painful dental infection is to avoid getting one in the first place. Getting regular dental cleanings and good hygiene cab help get rid of a lot of the plaque that can cause tooth decay. Regular dental cleanings also allow your hygienist to spot any potential problems like small cracks or cavities where bacteria could enter the tooth to cause an infection. Keeping up a good oral hygiene routine at home will also help lower your risk of getting a dental infection.
If the cost of routine dental care is too high for you, enrolling in dental insurance can help cover the cost.
This is not dental care advice and should not be substituted for regular consultation with your dentist. If you have any concerns about your dental health, please contact your dentist’s office.
Links to external sites are provided for your convenience in locating related information and services. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents and employees expressly disclaim any responsibility for and do not maintain, control, recommend, or endorse third-party sites, organizations, products, or services and make no representation as to the completeness, suitability, or quality thereof.
Preventing A Wisdom Tooth Infection
Because wisdom tooth infections can happen from the way that the wisdom teeth break through the gums and the position of the teeth, its difficult to prevent a wisdom tooth infection. But getting regular dental cleanings and routine care can help prevent infections. If you are having trouble flossing and brushing your wisdom teeth, talk to your dentist about having them removed. For some people that are prone to infection, it might be safer to remove them than to continue to risk infections when you cant clean the area.
You May Like: Clotrimazole And Betamethasone For Yeast Infection
How To Know If You Have An Infected Tooth
This article was co-authored by Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a board certified dentist who runs her private practice, Tu’s Dental, in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 250,266 times.
Experts note that if you have tooth or jaw pain that hurts more when you chew or eat, you may have a tooth infection.XResearch source A tooth infection, or an abscess, happens when bacteria enters you tooth’s inner pulp and infects the root or the gums. Studies show that abscesses can not only cause pain, but they can be life-threatening if the infection spreads to other parts of your body.XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source If you suspect you may have an infected tooth, make an appointment with your dentist right away.
When Should I Seek Care For Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If you have pain or other symptoms affecting the area behind your last molar, schedule an appointment with your dentist. They can determine if your issues are due to impacted wisdom teeth.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a wide range of symptoms, including swelling, bad taste and pain that radiates throughout your jaw and face. Wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery procedure that can ease your symptoms and reduce the risk of future oral health problems. Talk with your dentist about whether this treatment is right for you.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/21/2022.
References
Read Also: Is Strep A Bacterial Infection
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.
Swollen Or Tender Lymph Nodes
The lymphatic system is like the drainage system of your body, and its usually effective at filtering waste and keeping all your cells cleaned out and healthy. But when you have an infection or if your body is responding to some type of inflammation your lymph nodes can typically swell. Many lymph nodes are located in your head and neck. If the lymph nodes in your face and neck swell, or if they feel hard when you touch them then you may have an infection. If you notice that your lymph nodes are swollen or tender that is likely a sign that you may have an infection and you should contact your dentist.
Don’t Miss: Fluconazole 150 Mg Tablet For Yeast Infection
How Do I Know If My Tooth Is Rotting
Symptoms of tooth decaytoothache either continuous pain keeping you awake or occasional sharp pain without an obvious cause. tooth sensitivity you may feel tenderness or pain when eating or drinking something hot, cold or sweet. grey, brown or black spots appearing on your teeth. bad breath…. see more
Take These Steps Immediately If Your Tooth Is Infected
A tooth infection or abscess can spread the surrounding bone and gum tissue, and the pain can become more severe. If you are experiencing signs of an infected tooth, you should see your dentist as soon as possible. Though treatment is necessary to resolve the issue, you can take steps to manage your pain until then.
Recommended Reading: What Cells Are Infected And Destroyed In Hiv Infection
Warning Signs Of An Infected Tooth
It is never a good idea to try and diagnose your own oral health, and its an even worse idea to ignore mouth swelling and/or pain with the hope it will simply go away. That pain and uneasiness you feel is your body telling you to pay attention! Here are some of the most common warning signs of an infected tooth:
- Maintaining a low or mid fever can be indicative of many maladies, and a tooth infection is definitely one.
- A continuous throbbing tooth that spreads its pulsating pain through the jawbone and neck and ear is probably one of the clearest signs you are suffering from a tooth infection.
- A sharp pain when eating or drinking items that are hot or cold temperatures.
- A sharp pain when your teeth are activechewing gum, biting down on food, brushing, flossing, etc.
- If you notice any swelling of the face, or portions of the face such as the cheeks, is a good sign of infection. This swelling can also cause difficulty breathing and swallowing.
- If ever your lymph nodes and jaw/neck area are sore for a series of days, this could be due to infection.
- Bad breath you cant seem to get rid of even after thoroughly brushing, rinsing can be due to a tooth that is rotting from infection.
- To go along with the bad breath, there may also be a bad taste in the mouth that wont go awaythis is when the infection itself begins to leak into other areas of the mouth.
Dehydration And Stomach Pain
You may notice that you don’t have to pee very much. And when you do, your urine is a darker color than normal. This means that you’re getting dehydrated and moving into the second stage of sepsis.
You may also begin to experience stomach pain and even diarrhea and vomiting. Both of these symptoms will speed your rate of dehydration and cause even more severe problems.
Read Also: How Many Doses Of Fluconazole For Yeast Infection
How To Tell If Your Tooth Is Infected
There is nothing fun or exciting about having an infected tooth. The pain and swelling can leave even the toughest of individuals lying awake at night wondering how to find relief.
How do teeth get infected and what should you do if it happens?
Answering these questions is the first step to maintaining proper oral health and keeping your teeth free from infection.
There are a variety of ways a tooth can become infected: an untreated dental cavity can quickly become infected, an injured tooth that is not kept clean, or even prior dental workif not properly cared forcan result in swelling at the tooths root, which then spreads infection.
If you think you might have an infected tooth, see your dentist right away. Then, he can drain the infected area, clean it, and advise on proper care in order to nurse the tooth back to health. If the infection is bad enough, the tooth may have to be removed and replaced. Not treating an infected tooth can lead to major complications, even some life-threatening ones.
What Is A Tooth Infection
A tooth infection is a pocket of pus trapped within your tooth. If left untreated, the infection will spread to the tips of your tooth roots. At this point, your only option would be an emergency root canal or extraction.
You may be at higher risk for an abscessed tooth if you neglect oral hygiene. Once a cavity is deep enough to penetrate the inner chamber of your tooth, youll develop an abscess. This means that the live tissue inside your tooth is infected.
Read Also: Infections That Cause Lower Back Pain
Will Amoxicillin Stop Tooth Pain
Amoxicillin is one of the first antibiotics recommended for the treatment of a tooth infection. It has shown to be widely effective and have fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to other options. Antibiotics do not relieve pain directly, but pain may be reduced as the infection is knocked out by the antibiotic…. read more
How Do Impacted Wisdom Teeth Affect My Oral Health
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection and damage to other teeth. Wisdom teeth are also difficult to clean. As a result, theyre more prone to tooth decay and gum disease.
Can impacted wisdom teeth cause headaches?
Yes. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth can cause radiating pain in your jaw, face and head.
Read Also: Antibiotics For Lymph Node Infection
Read Also: How To Get Smell Back After Sinus Infection
How K Health Can Help
Did you know that you can get online dental prescriptions for tooth infections?
to check your symptoms using our symptom checker and text with a doctor in minutes.
K Healths board-certified, U.S.-based doctors can provide a treatment plan and, if required, a prescription to resolve your symptoms as soon as possible. Clinicians are available 24/7.
K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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.
Don’t Miss: 8 Hour Infection Control Course For Dental Assistants