Saturday, March 23, 2024

How Does A Tooth Get Infected

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Signs That Warrant A Return Trip To The Dentist

How To Alleviate Infected Wisdom Tooth

Here are some common signs and symptoms of a root canal infection that mean you should schedule another visit to your dentist:

  • pain or discomfort ranging from mild tenderness to unbearable pain, especially when you apply pressure from eating or pressing on the tooth, or expose the tooth to extreme temperatures
  • pus discharge thats greenish, yellowish, or otherwise discolored
  • red, warm, swollen tissue near the tooth, especially the gums under or around the tooth in some cases, swelling can affect your face and neck, too
  • tenderness or discomfort in swollen tissue, especially when you touch or apply pressure to it
  • a bad taste in your mouth or a bad smell to your breath from infected tissue

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.

What Treatment Is Available

The treatment provided will depend on the severity of the infection. If an abscess is present, we will identify the location of the abscess, and determine how far the infection has spread. Root canal treatment may be necessary to treat an abscess if it is located inside the tooth. If root canal therapy is not enough, our doctor can perform an apicoectomy to open up the gum area near the root, and remove the infected tissue.

Other treatments may involve prescribing antibiotics to treat the infection and stop it from spreading. Our team will monitor your progress on the antibiotics to ensure they are working. If necessary, the type of antibiotics used may need to be changed, and a hospital stay may be required.

Treating an infection is extremely important to avoid complications like sepsis. We encourage you to contact our office if you experience any sign of an infection. Let our team help relieve your pain, and get you on the road to recovery.

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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.

Can A Tooth With A Root Canal Get Infected

Abscess tooth vector illustration medical diagram poster

Many people fear the day that they will be told that they need a root canal, having had a reputation as a painful procedure. But with the latest techniques, root canals do not have to be this way. Although it usually has favorable results, there are times when infections develop. Why does this happen? Read on as we take a closer look at this common dental procedure.

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What Is The Cost Of Having A Tooth Pulled

The cost for tooth extraction varies widely depending on whether the tooth is impacted Simple extraction usually costs between $75 and $200 per tooth, and may be more depending on the type of anesthesia you need The cost to remove impacted teeth is significantly higher and can land anywhere between $800 and $4,000.

The removal of wisdom teeth may cause damage to the trigeminal nervea cranial nerve responsible for sensation in the face, as well as for functions such as chewing and biting Injury to this nerve may cause pain, lip numbness, or a tingling sensation in the teeth and gums.

Why Does Infected Dental Pulp Hurt So Much

Inflammation is one of the signs of infection. Whether from decay or other trauma, when bacteria invade dental pulp, there will be swelling. Because the pulp is enclosed in dentin and enamel, the inflamed tissue is trapped. There is nowhere for the swelling to go, so the pressure builds up inside the tooth. This causes a lot of pain.

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What Are Root Canal Infections

Teeth arent solid all the way through theyre made up of layers. The hard, outer surface of a tooth is called enamel. The inner layer is called dentin and is a porous, almost sponge-like tissue. At the center of each tooth is a collection of soft tissue called pulp.

The pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels that allow the tooth to grow. Its full of cells called odontoblasts that keep the tooth healthy.

A root canal removes the pulp of a tooth thats been infected or damaged by tooth decay or other injuries. Root canals can save teeth and are considered very safe.

Root canal infections arent common, but theres a small chance of a tooth becoming infected even after a root canal is performed.

What Hurts More Root Canal Or Tooth Extraction

Treatment of Abscessed Teeth

Root canals can be a painful procedure In fact, many find it to be more painful than an extraction, but the use of local anesthesia can reduce the pain The procedure starts by first examining the patients mouth with X-rays These help to determine the severity of the infection and the number of teeth infected.

No Eating Before the SurgeryLet the dental provider know if you have a condition that doesnt allow you to fast, such as diabetes It is also important to remember that you cannot smoke for 12 hours before the surgery and 24 hours after In fact, this would be an ideal time to quit smoking for good.

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Do And Donts After Tooth Extraction

Avoid Sucking of any type: SMOKING, SIPPING, EATING HARD VEGETABLES are to be avoided after tooth extraction Try taking soft and liquid food options such as soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc after tooth extraction Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, sodas, etc.

Tooth extraction aftercareKeep the extraction site clean Gently rinse the area with an antimicrobial mouthwash two to three times a day Take all medications as directed Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers Avoid strenuous activity for at least two days.

Pain Management And Antibiotics

As abscesses are painful, people may need acetaminophen or to control the pain. Essential oil of cloves has topical anesthetic properties and can be applied to the painful area, although it is very important to maintain strict hygiene while doing this. Home remedies like the above mentioned oil may provide some pain relief, but will not cure an abscess or prevent further infection.

In uncomplicated abscesses, antibiotics may not be necessary.

If the infection is severe or has spread, or if the abscess cannot be drained, antibiotics will be prescribed to help bring the infection under control. Antibiotics commonly prescribed for dental abscesses include:

If the patient is allergic to amoxicillin and/or penicillin, clindamycin may be prescribed. Penicillin is the usual antibiotic used to treat mild or moderate infections. Because antibiotics alone donât always penetrate the abscess very well, the abscess may also be surgically drained.

Most dental abscesses are straightforward to treat and resolve completely after they are drained.

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Schedule An Appointment If You Have An Infected Tooth

If youre experiencing symptoms of an infected tooth, dont wait! The sooner we can treat it, the better off you and your tooth will be. Endodontic treatment saves teeth every day, puts an end to the pain of an infected tooth, and prevents the symptoms from getting worse.

We love saving teeth!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

An Impacted Wisdom Tooth

Tooth Infection

Impaction happens when a persons jaw has insufficient room for a wisdom tooth to erupt, in a situation referred to as tooth crowding.

Wisdom teeth may only emerge partially from the gum line or they can become trapped beneath it.

Either way, this can lead to inflammation of the gums and infection around the wisdom teeth. Sometimes soft tissue forms over the partially erupted wisdom tooth and is known as an operculum.

An operculum isnt always good for your mouth because it tends to trap food particles causing bacteria to thrive. This, in turn, causes an infection which is often followed by an abscess that forms beneath the operculum. If the abscess isnt treated, the infection spreads and progresses into pericoronitis. In severe cases, this can be extremely painful leaving the patient to call for an emergency dentist.

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Removing An Infected Tooth

If infected pulp goes untreated, an abscess can form. This happens when the infection grows and the bacteria leaks out of the pulp chamber into the space between the tooth and jaw bone. A swollen and painful lump will form on the gum above the infected tooth. In very serious cases, the infection can spread to the jaw bone, ear, sinuses, or neck. In rare, serious cases, patients can even develop sepsis.

When pulp infection is extensive, or if an abscess has formed, its sometimes an indication that the tooth and its roots are dead. Extracting the tooth is often the only option. The lump that results from an abscess is filled with infected fluid. The dentist or endodontist first step will be to drain it. Antibiotics may be prescribed to stop the infection from spreading any further.

How To Prevent A Tooth Nerve Infection

The best way to deal with a tooth nerve infection is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. While avoiding a tooth nerve infection can be difficult, certain precautions can to lower the chance of developing an infection.

First, be sure to practice good oral hygiene. This means you must stick to a consistent brushing schedule, floss and use mouthwash at least once a day. Do not brush too hard since an exposed gum can lead to infection. Also, avoid overeating foods and drinks that are harmful to teeth. Additionally, visiting a dentist regularly can significantly reduce the chance of suffering a tooth nerve infection.

Go to for tooth nerve information or call Santa Rosa Endodontics at

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Treatment For A Tooth Infection

There are many ways for your dentist to treat the infected tooth. The type of treatment depends on several factors, like to what extent the infection has spread, and the initial location of the dental abscess. Read further as we explain the possible different treatment for a tooth infection.

Root Canal Therapy: It may be necessary to receive a root canal treatment. This can help treat abscesses deep inside the tooth. The root canal therapy procedure requires thedentist to drill into the tooth and remove the pocket of pus and bacteria at the root of the tooth. Once finished, thedentist will fill the space with a material called gutta-percha. After the tooth is healed, thedentist can restore the tooth with a dental crown, or a filling to prevent an infection from happening again.

How Can A Tooth Get Infected

How To Get Rid Of Abscessed Tooth Infection Right Away

Chips, cracks, or cavities are all ways that a healthy tooth can become infected. Additionally, certain factors may put you at greater risk for suffering from a tooth infection:

  • Consuming high amounts of sugar. High sugar intake can cause cavities, one of the main ways tooth abscesses form.
  • Dry mouth. Certain medications and aging cause dry mouth, which puts you at risk for infections because it increases the likelihood of tooth decay.
  • Inadequate dental care. Not taking care of your teeth can have lots of negative consequences.

Infections can be serious, and it is always important for patients to know when to call their dentist. Infections should always be treated right away to avoid complications, or other issues from developing. If you have a toothache and throbbing pain that does not go away, the infection could spread to other places in the body. At Orange County Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, we are equipped to handle any dental emergency, and offer flexible hours to accommodate our patients.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Tooth Infection Spreading To Body

Without early intervention and treatment, a dental infection can spread to your face up to your neck. However, severe conditions also have the potential to spread across other areas of the body. In certain situations, they can develop systemically and affect various tissues throughout the body. Even though these cases rarely happen, it still does, and consequences can be serious.

The symptoms listed below may suggest that a tooth infection has migrated to other parts of the body.

When Can I Eat Solid Food After Tooth Extraction

Normally, you should avoid solid food for just 24 hours after your oral surgery, after which it may be okay to eat it again Its very important to talk to your dentist about specific eating instructions, as it depends on the type of treatment that you have received as well as your own individual healing time.

What is the most difficult tooth to extract? Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt properly They are generally considered to be the most difficult teeth to extract The higher the degree of impaction, the more difficult the extraction.

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How Do You Know If You Have An Infected Tooth

An infected tooth can be diagnosed after an examination by your dentist, but its important to recognize some of the most common signs of a tooth infection, so you know if you may have an infected tooth. These symptoms include:

  • Tooth pain sometimes an infected tooth can cause a throbbing sensation that can radiate into your head, jaw, ear, or neck. This pain can be severe and persistent, making it hard to chew, talk, or sleep. While tooth pain isnt always a sign of an infected tooth, any pain in your mouth should be brought to the attention of your dentist.
  • Bad breath an infected tooth may cause a bad taste in your mouth or bad breath because of the bacteria that causes the infection.
  • Sensitivity you may experience irritation when eating or drinking hot or cold things, or it may hurt to chew or bite on one side of your mouth.
  • Fever or swelling an infected tooth can cause facial swelling or swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck. You may also experience a fever, which is your bodys attempt to fight the infection.

The pain from an infected tooth is usually caused by an abscess, which is a pocket of pus that builds up near the root of your tooth or in your gum. These sorts of infections usually happen due to an untreated cavity, tooth decay, a cracked or broken tooth, or gum disease. While the damage caused by tooth decay cannot be reversed, if you get care promptly, you can prevent any further damage.

Dont Panic Get It Taken Care Of Today

# 53 Human teeth and dental decay

If you suspect that you have a dental issue that can only be resolved with a root canal, dont worry. Root canals, though not at the top of anyones list of a great time, are common and dont have to be painful. With the right dentist, the experience doesnt have to be a scary one.

The truth is, it hurts a lot more to continue on with a damaged tooth or teeth than to undergo a root canal procedure. In fact, most patients say the procedure was painless. Though you can expect to feel some minor aches and sensitivity once the anesthetic wears off, these small discomforts will subside within a couple of weeks.

The best thing to do is call your dentist and schedule an appointment today to get your teeth healthy again.

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How Is An Infection Treated

Retreatment is the term used for a root canal that is treated for the second time. This is done the same way as a conventional root canal procedure. If this is not sufficient, a surgery called apicoectomy is performed, which relieves the infection from accessing around the tooths bony area rather than through the top of the tooth.

Although relatively safe with a high success rate, we cannot discount the possibility of a root canal procedure going wrong and developing an infection. This is why it is important that you educate yourself and follow doctor instructions. If you have any more questions about the root canal and its possible complications, talk to a reputable dentist in your area now.

Signs And Symptoms Of An Infected Tooth

The most obvious symptom of an infected tooth is a toothache, but it isnt the only symptom and it isnt present every time theres a tooth infection. Here are other symptoms of an infected tooth:

  • A bitter taste in the mouth
  • Persistent bad breath, even after rinsing with water or mouthwash
  • Swollen, red gums
  • An open, draining sore on the gums surrounding the tooth
  • Tooth sensitivity

If a tooth infection is accompanied by fever, swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek medical attention immediately, as the infection may have spread to other parts of the body.

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