How To Tell If Tooth Infection Is Spreading

Treating A Tooth Infection

Tooth Abscess : Signs of an Abscessed Tooth

The earlier you treat a tooth infection, the better. It is best to catch it before it gets too serious and spreads to other parts of your body.

Treatment for a dental abscess needs to be given by dental professionals. It will often include draining the pus, antibiotic medications, pain control medication, and addressing the source of the infection.

A root canal is often needed to remove infection from deep inside a tooth. Root canals involve drilling deep inside a tooth to remove infected tissue and pus from the root area. The tooth is then filled with a composite material and often topped with a crown.

When the infection is even deeper, an apicoectomy, or root end resection, is needed to open up the gum tissue and remove the end of the root of the tooth where the infected tissue has reached.

What Happens When A Root Canal Tooth Gets Infected

In the wake of a root canal infection, the patient feels severe pain. Bite down on the affected tooth or place pressure on it will intensify the pain. You may also experience tooth sensitivity when eating hot or cold beverages. In addition to inflammation of the gums, there may also be a source of pain.

What Are Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection

Throbbing pain that does not subside
Pain in your jaw, neck, or ear
Sensitivity when you place pressure on the area
Pain that gets worse when you are lying down
Swelling around the jaw or mouth
Tender lymph nodes
Bad breath or odd taste in the mouth
Fever

Knowing these signs can help treat an infection before it spreads and becomes more serious. Never hesitate to call your dentist when you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. At Orange County Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, we put our patients health first, and provide exceptional care you can trust. Our team is trained to handle any emergency, and we will work to relieve your pain and keep you comfortable.

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Tooth Infection Side Effects

Beware of The Symptoms of Tooth Infections That Have Spread

You have a fever, which is characterized by reddened, sweaty, and cold skin. Your face swells. Swelling can cause you to have difficulty opening your mouth completely, difficulty swallowing, and inhibit breathing.

Be aware, some of these organs are at risk of disruption from Tooth infections:

When To See Your Dentist

Not all toothaches become serious health concerns. But if youre experiencing a toothache, its best to get treatment before it gets worse.

fever
red gums
pain when chewing or biting

If you have a broken tooth or if a tooth comes out, see your dentist right away.

While youre waiting to see the dentist, you might find relief by:

avoiding hot or cold drinks and food
avoiding chewing on the side of the tooth ache
eating only cool, soft foods

Youre at risk of tooth infection if you dont have good dental hygiene. Take good care of your teeth by:

brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day
flossing your teeth at least once a day
decreasing your intake of sugar
eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables

If untreated, a tooth infection could potentially travel to other areas of your body, resulting in a potentially life-threatening infection. Signs of a tooth infection spreading to the body may include:

fever
increased breathing rate
stomach pain

Last medically reviewed on May 28, 2019

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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 could be spreading, you do not want to put off seeing your dentist, call for treatment as soon as possible. Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for, that may indicate the tooth 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

Do Rotten Teeth Smell

A decaying tooth results in a foul smell. If you develop bad breath or notice an odd odor coming from your mouth, you might have one or several rotten teeth. Halitosis is one of the most common indications of decayed teeth. Visit us as soon as possible for an analysis, cleaning, filling or other dental restoration.

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Infection Of The Blood Vessels In Your Sinuses

Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis is the infection of the blood vessels in the sinuses resulting in a blood clot at the base of the brain. It is a rare and life-threatening disorder where the infection from the eyes, nose, ears, or teeth runs through the veins around your face and triggers more facial disorders.

Its highly dangerous and should be treated immediately upon diagnosis. The best way to treat this disorder is to identify the source of infection through a series of tests and drain the disease-causing bacteria.

When To Seek Emergency Treatment For Dental Abscesses

Tooth infection or sinus infection?

Ideally, a person affected by a dental abscess, or who suspects that they may have a dental abscess, should visit the dentist as soon as possible. Because it is not always possible to see a dentist in time, some people may need to be treated for their abscesses in a hospital emergency department. Medical doctors are not specifically trained to handle dental issues, but will be able to stabilize the affected person, providing antibiotics and pain relief, until they can see the dentist.

Good to know: Dentists do not form part of the regular staff in most hospital emergency departments. Treatment by a doctor at a hospital will not replace seeing a dentist. Doctors are not trained to deal with dental problems but will be able to assist with managing infection and pain.

If a person with an abscess or a suspected abscess shows any of the signs listed below, they should seek urgent medical care as soon as possible. Danger signs for tooth abscesses include:

An abscess of more than 1cm in diameter, or which feels large
Severe swelling or hard lumps on the gums or the face
Bleeding on the gums or in the mouth
Fever or a body temperature of more than 38 C / 101.4 F
Tender lymph nodes in the neck area

If a person shows the symptoms listed below, they should immediately be seen by a hospital emergency department:

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.

Can You Treat A Tooth Infection Without Antibiotics

There are ways to relieve the pain and swelling associated with your infected tooth. Saltwater rinses with or without baking soda, hydrogen peroxide rinses, and cold compresses can all help with these symptoms. See a dentist right away if you have any symptoms, because an infection is unlikely to go away without treatment.

A cavity can be filled, and pulpitis can also be treated with a dental procedure. You may not need antibiotics. But depending on how bad the infection is, you might need a root canal or removal of the tooth.

If you have an abscess, it needs to be drained. Your dentist will probably also prescribe antibiotics to get rid of any bacteria that are still in the area.

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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.

What Happens If Tooth Infection Spreads To Jaw

Your Burbank Dentist Can Still Treat Your Dental Infection

If the abscess ruptures, the pain may decrease significantly but you still need dental treatment. If the abscess doesnt drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck. You might even develop sepsis a life-threatening infection that spreads throughout your body.

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What Happens If An Abscess Pops In Your Mouth

At first, the abscess may cause a toothache, which can be severe. The tooths nerve can become infected and the infection can burrow through to the gum, forming a visible boil that can rupture in the mouth. Once the abscess ruptures, the pain often decreases significantly, but dental treatment is still necessary.

Why Do Dental Infections Happen

Our mouth is abundant in bacteria that come from our saliva, food, and plaque formation. These bacteria can sometimes get into a tooth or pass through the gum line, causing an abscess. An abscess, also known as an infection, is a pocket of bacteria and pus developing within your bodily tissues.

A variety of factors can cause this condition. One of the most prevalent ones is from cases of a previous root canal procedure. In a root canal, the dentist will remove a nerve from the afflicted tooth. This situation increases the risk of bacteria developing in that region, resulting in an illness that your body will struggle to fight.

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Is Tooth Infection Dangerous

Complications due to infection of the teeth occur because the bacteria in the abscess enters the bloodstream and infects the bones. The affected person will experience an increase in body temperature, severe pain in the affected bone, and possibly nausea. Usually, the affected bone will be near the location of the abscess.

Most people still think that pulling teeth is not a hard thing to do alone at home, you can also find out Is Pulling Teeth In Children Dangerous? And How To Pull Tooth In Children? No Exclusion for parents That Pick To eliminate their very own childrens teeth without the support of a physician.

Signs That A Tooth Infection Is Spreading

Abscessed tooth, Causes, SIgns and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

A tooth infection is no fun at all, and without proper treatment, it can spread to other parts of your body. This can lead to serious complications, and may be life threatening. Your mouth is full of bacteria from food that you eat, and from saliva and plaque. This bacteria can enter into your tooth and result in a tooth abscess. The tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms inside your tooth or gums. The good news is that tooth infections or tooth abscess are easily treatable. Just as long as you do not delay treatment. Read further as we discuss signs that a tooth infection is spreading, and the complications that may arise if you do not get prompt dental attention.

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Preventing Dental Infections With Good Dental Health

Preventing infections from occurring in your mouth will help you reduce your risk of developing sepsis. Usual recommendations are to visit your dentist twice a year for up-to-date x-rays, exams, and dental cleanings.

Good oral hygiene is the first basic step in promoting good dental health and preventing infections. Children should learn these habits early on to help them keep healthy mouths and teeth.

Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day.
Floss your teeth at least once a day.
Dont over brush brushing too hard or with too hard a brush can damage your teeth. Ask your dental hygienist for the best way for you to brush your teeth.
Dont use your teeth to open packaging, break string, etc. Your teeth are strong, but they are for chewing food, not hard objects. These can crack, chip, or break teeth.
Visit your dental office at least twice a year for a thorough cleaning and check up.
If you have had dental work, watch for any signs of infection and contact your dentist if you experience any of the signs listed above.

Signs Tooth Infection Is Spreading

by topco | Aug 25, 2020 | Dental Blog |

Toothaches that are left untreated can result in a tooth infection. Most tooth infections begin as a toothache that can feel sore or even throb. If your toothache is infected and left untreated, it can spread to other areas of your body and cause major health issues. Watch out for the signs a tooth infection is spreading.

Cellulitis And Facial Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin. Facial cellulitis, for example, can be caused by infections of the upper respiratory tract, middle ear infections or tooth abscesses. Although these conditions can increase the risk of facial cellulitis, they do not directly cause it the condition results when an infection spreads to the skin. Symptoms of facial cellulitis include:

Swollen, red skin on the face, especially the cheek
Itching and burning of the affected skin
A painful, possibly swollen, tongue
Fever

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have cellulitis or a tooth abscess, you can start a free symptom assessment right now using the Ada app.

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Take These Steps Immediately If Your Tooth Is Infected

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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.

What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection

If youve never had an infected tooth before, you might be wondering how youd know if your tooth was infected. Pain is often the most common sign of a tooth infection. Unfortunately, this pain isnt always confined to the tooth itself. Because our teeth are connected to so many nerves, pain from an infected tooth can extend into the jaw, face, and neck. Talk about discomfort!

Other signs to look for include:

Tooth sensitivity to heat, cold, and/or pressure
Tenderness around the tooth
Swelling of the mouth, jaw, or face

If you have a dental abscess that bursts open on its own, you might taste a strong, salty fluid that could also smell bad.

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How Long Does It Take For A Tooth Infection To Spread

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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.

Signs And Symptoms Of A Dental Abscess

Father dies from tooth infection

Dental abscesses are usually painful. The pain may be situated in the tooth itself, the surrounding gum or be more generalized, including the jaw, cheeks, or even neck or face, depending on the location of the abscess. The affected tooth may:

Feel tender
Feel loose in the jaw
Be sensitive to heat and/or cold in the mouth
Be sensitive to pressure on the tooth, or to being tapped
Be slightly raised

People with a dental abscess may experience pain in the affected area. If you are concerned that you may have a dental abscess, you can do a free symptom check with the Ada app or find out more about how it works.

Other symptoms of dental abscesses include:

Swelling in the gums or face
Redness of the skin over the affected part of the gum
Bleeding in the gums
Loss of appetite or inability to eat
Fever

Dental examination may also reveal swelling and redness around the tooth in the mouth and a fluctuant mass in the area.Periodontal abscesses may also present with a gum boil. A gum boil, also known as a parulis, is a soft red papule that appears where a sinus or channel from an abscess reaches the outside of the gum, between the gum and the inside of the cheek. It is the result of an abscess, so it is a definite sign that an abscess is present, but it is not itself an abscess.

Rarely, in severe cases of dental abscess, the affected person may also experience:

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