How To Tell If Your Tooth Is Infected
Are your teeth sensitive to hot and cold foods? Does it hurt to bite down when you chew? If its a tooth infection, youll want to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentists in Grand Rapids, MI. The longer you wait to seek emergency dental care, the more the problem will grow.
Can An Infected Tooth Affect Your Heart Health
What puts you at risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular problems? For most people, the risk factors that typically come to mind are a poor diet, a lack of exercise, excess body weight, and excessive alcohol consumption. While these are all definite risk factors, most people dont realize that having an infected tooth or poor oral hygiene can also increase your chances of problems like heart attacks or heart disease. While its still not exactly known how your heart and oral health are related, theres a definite correlation.
Research points to poor dental health as a potential risk factor for heart disease. Its been shown that people with gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and tooth infection have a higher incidence of cardiovascular problems like a heart attack or stroke. There are a few theories about why this happens. When you have an infection in your tooth or gums, the bacteria from the infection can enter your bloodstream and travel elsewhere in your body. This bacteria can cause inflammation in your blood vessels and blood clots. Other research suggests that its the bodys immune response to the bacteria that can potentially damage your blood vessels or heart. Evidence of oral bacteria has been found throughout the body, which means that the health of your mouth has a clear effect on your overall health.
What Is A Dental Crown
A dental crown is a cap customized to cover a patients tooth.
It can be made from a variety of different materials, depending on the patients needs and preferences.
The materials you can choose from when you want a crown for your tooth include stainless steel, metals, porcelain-fused-to-metal, zirconia, all-resin, all-ceramic, or all-porcelain.
Reasons for a dental crown:
- Restoring a tooths shape and size
- Increasing a tooths strength
- Enhancing the performance of a tooth
The crown is usually cemented into place, making sure that the whole tooth is encased to provide maximum protection.
These are the scenarios that typically call for the use of dental crowns:
- Large cavities that cant be filled
- Missing teeth when a bridge is needed
- Coverage for dental implants
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Outlook For Tooth Abscesses
The recovery is good from a small dental abscess, once it has ruptured or been drained. If the symptoms are improving, itâs unlikely the infection is getting worse. Youâll need follow-up care with your dentist to reassess your infection and to take care of the problem tooth. For example, you may need to have the tooth pulled or have a root canal performed on it.
If itâs not treated, a tooth abscess can spread to the floor of the mouth or to the neck and threaten your airway and ability to breathe. This may be life-threatening unless itâs properly drained.
An untreated infection also can spread to your jaw or other parts of your head or neck. In some cases, it can lead to , which is a serious infection that spreads through your body.
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Will A Tooth Infection Go Away On Its Own
A tooth infection will not go away on its own. Your toothache may stop if an infection causes the pulp inside your tooth to die. The pain stops because the nerve isnt functioning anymore, so you may not be able to feel it. However, the bacteria will continue to spread and destroy surrounding tissue. If you have tooth infection symptoms, see your dentist even if you no longer have pain.
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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.
When To Contact A Doctor Or Dentist
A person should contact a dentist at the first sign of a tooth infection. Early treatment stops the infection from spreading further.
If a tooth infection has spread, it is considered a medical emergency. These infections can quickly become widespread and severe. In some cases, systemic infections can even be life threatening.
A person should contact a dentist for an emergency appointment as soon as possible. If there are no dentists available, a person should visit the emergency department of their nearest hospital.
The type of treatment a person receives for a tooth infection depends on several factors, including:
- the initial location of the abscess
- whether, and to what extent, the infection has spread
- the extent of the immune systems reaction to the infection
Some possible treatments for a tooth infection include the following.
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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 249,146 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.
Does Cavity Always Indicate Bad Oral Hygiene
No, cavities may not always mean bad hygiene. Cavity may even form in those who brush and floss daily and maintain good oral hygiene.
Cavity may not always mean bad or poor oral hygiene and may be a result of incorrect brushing or flossing, or incorrect timing of brushing like just after acidic foods or drinks, or may also occur due to continuous use of highly abrasive toothpaste.
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Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection
Common symptoms of an infected tooth include:
- Throbbing, severe pain in the tooth
- Throbbing, severe pain in the jaw
- Tooth sensitivity
Summary
Tooth infections can spread, potentially causing life-threatening infections in other areas of your body. Severe pain and flu-like symptoms are common signs of spreading.
How To Prevent Tooth Infections
by epickidstoyssmith licensed under CC BY 2.0
While the dangers of untreated abscesses are certainly real, preventing a tooth infection is preferable to treating an existing one. The good news is that, while requiring daily care and dedication, preventing tooth infections is easy. All you need to do is practice good oral hygiene. Some healthy habits to incorporate into your routine are:
- Brushing twice a day
- Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months
- Making regular visits to the dentist
- Using mouthwash
- Minimizing your sugar intake
There are some other things to keep in mind when caring for your teeth:
- Dont press down too hard on your teeth when brushing, as this can damage your teeth. Talk to your dental hygienist and ask for tips if this is a concern for you.
- Only use your teeth for what theyre intended for: eating and drinking. Doing things like opening bottles or cutting string is an easily avoidable way to put cracks in your teeth that can then lead to infection.
- If youve had any dental work done, such as tooth extraction or a root canal, pay close attention to the area for signs of infection in the days following the procedure.
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What To Do If You Suspect You Have An Infection
As you can see, an untreated tooth abscess is no laughing matter. If you suspect you might have deadly tooth infection symptoms, call your dentist to set up a same-day emergency appointment. If you cant reach your dentist or if you cant get an appointment, you should head straight to the nearest emergency room for treatment.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection Spreading To The Body
If an abscess ruptures, you may notice a sudden foul taste or even salty fluid in your mouth. You’ll probably also notice that your pain subsides and think that you are out of the woods.
Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily true.
The rupture can be one of the first signs that the infection is beginning to spread. If it enters the bloodstream it can cause a serious condition called sepsis. This is when things get life-threatening.
If you notice the rupture, seek medical help immediately. However, the abscess won’t always rupture on its own. Or it may rupture when the problem has already become quite severe.
Thus, if you notice any of these other 5 symptoms, even without an obvious rupture, you should seek emergency medical help at once.
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Signs And Symptoms That A Tooth Infection Is Spreading
While it is rare for a tooth infection or tooth abscess to spread to other parts of your body, it can happen. And, if it does happen, the consequences can be quite severe. If you suspect that a tooth infection spread, you do not want to put off seeing your dentist , call for dental treatment as soon as possible. Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for, that may indicate the dental infection has spread
-swelling to the face, neck or cheeks
-pain in your mouth and tongue
-nausea and vomiting
-itching sensation on your skin
-high fever
-double vision, or loss of vision
-drooping eyelids
-rapid pulse rates and lightheadedness
-your breathing rate increases to over 25 breaths per minute
You Experience Stomach Pain
You should call your doctor if you, your child, or your infant has a high fever. A high fever is defined as:
- adults: 103°F or higher
- children: 102.2°F or higher
- infants 3 months and older: 102°F or higher
- infants younger than 3 months: 100.4°F or higher
Get immediate medical attention if the fever is accompanied by:
A tooth becomes infected when bacteria gets into the tooth through a chip, crack, or cavity. Your risk factor for a tooth infection increases if you have:
- poor dental hygiene, including not brushing your teeth 2 times a day and not flossing
- a high sugar diet, including eating sweets and drinking soda
- dry mouth, which is often caused by aging or as a side effect of certain medications
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Type Of Tooth Extraction Infections
There are three main types of tooth extraction infections.
- Periodontal: This includes gum infection after extraction
- Endodontic: An infection inside the tooth itself or in the jawbone
- Other: The lips, palate, and tongue can become infected
In some cases, patients might also experience an ear infection after extraction. For very rare cases, a deep neck infection in the cervical vertebrae may occur after tooth extraction.
Tooth Abscess And Pus
Sometimes you may not notice a hole or you may not initially experience pain or sensitivity or you may experience an occasional pain and sensitivity that might be ignored by you.
In any of the above cases, you miss out on noticing a cavity, resulting in cavity deepening and finally causing tooth abscess and pus accumulation around the infected tooth.
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Hot And Cold Sensitivity
Sensitivity that lingers after eating hot or cold food could be a sign that you have a cavity.
When the enamel on your tooth starts to wear away, it can affect the dentin, which is the hard tissue layer below the enamel. Dentin contains lots of microscopic little hollow tubes.
When there isnt enough enamel to protect the dentin, foods that are hot, cold, sticky, or acidic can stimulate the cells and nerve inside your tooth. This is what creates the sensitivity you feel.
Can Your Tooth Rot Under A Crown
The short answer is yes.
Crowns can be damaged over time because of trauma to the mouth or chewing on hard things.
The long answer is when a crown gets damaged, bacteria will easily get past it and get to the real tooth underneath.
Its important to consider that when a crown is placed, the dentist will have to remove a portion of the enamel that serves as a protection to the inner, weaker layers of the tooth.
The crown then serves as the enamel for the tooth.
Hence, when the crown or the protective layer of the tooth is damaged, bacteria and sugars can get into the inner layers of the tooth underneath.
The acid that bacteria excrete after feeding on sugar stays underneath the damaged crown for a prolonged period of time because there is no saliva that will wash it away.
This means that a tooth under a crown can rot because it is more susceptible to decay than one that is not if the dental crown becomes compromised with unhealthy oral habits.
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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.
Signs Your Tooth Is Infected
If youve ever experienced a tooth infection, you know it can be very uncomfortable. A tooth infection is typically accompanied with a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. The abscess can be found anywhere in the mouth.
There are two types of abscesses. A periapical abscess occurs at the tip of the root, whereas a periodontal abscess occurs in the gums, usually near the side of the tooth.
A periapical tooth abscess usually occurs as a result of an untreated dental cavity. If the interior of your tooth , encounters any unknown substance, it can inflame the blood vessels and nerves, impacting the tooth enamel. Endodontic treatment helps treat tooth decay and other infected materials to help seal and fight future infections.
Rick Davis, DDS, and Rick Schwartz, DDS, are experts in endodontics at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, visit a specialist who can diagnose and help treat it.
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What Causes A Wisdom Tooth Infection
If a wisdom tooth starts erupting and doesnt come up straight from the jaw, it may leave a small opening that can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria, due to the moist environment in the mouth. This can quickly lead to an infection that may be hard to treat. But even if they do come in properly and are not impacting other teeth, they can still prove problematic.
This is because of their location right at the back of the mouth. It can mean theyre harder to reach when brushing your teeth, and if you do manage to brush and floss them, chances are you may not be giving them a proper brush and food particles can get stuck there and cause an infection as they attract bacteria. A buildup of bacteria in the area can result in damage to the wisdom tooths enamel and eventual infection in the tooth itself.
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.
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I Think My Tooth Might Be Infected What Are The Signs And Symptoms
If you are concerned that your tooth might be infected, it is worth booking a check-up with your dentist to find out. If you do have an infection it is better to have it treated as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse.
But how do you know if you have a tooth infection or not? You can experience tooth pain or other issues with your mouth and gums that could be a symptom of something else.
Because your teeth are packed with sensitive nerves anything that can affect them negatively can cause pain. You may be experiencing toothache, gum soreness or tooth sensitivity anywhere in your mouth either in just one single tooth or the whole side of your jaw.
If you experience any of the following, these are common signs and symptoms of an infected tooth:
- Gum or tooth soreness
- Sharp pains anywhere in your mouth
- Throbbing tooth pain
- Any unusual swelling of the gums