How Dental Insurance Can Help
Dental emergencies happen. Even if you are practicing good dental hygiene and you take care of your teeth, you can still end up with an infected tooth that needs to be dealt with right away. Dental insurance can help cover the costs of things like X-rays, exams, and other treatments, as well as more expensive care like root canals.
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.
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.
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What Will Happen If I Ignore The Tooth Infection Or Leave It Untreated
If the tooth infection is left untreated, infection spreads and may cause systemic problems that may be fatal.
A study reported 40% mortality associated with descending tooth infection left untreated.
Ascending tooth infections may enter the brain through sinuses or blood and lead to abscess formation in the brain.
Study published in the Australian Dental Journal reported ascending necrotising fasciitis resulting from the odontogenic infections.
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Other Faqs About Teeth Infection That You May Be Interested In
References:
Joshipura, Kaumudi J., et al. Pulpal inflammation and incidence of coronary heart disease. Journal of endodontics 32.2 : 99-103.
Joshipura, K. J., et al. Poor Oral Health and Coronary Heart Disease. Journal of Dental Research, vol. 75, no. 9, Sept. 1996, pp. 16311636, doi:10.1177/00220345960750090301.
What Are the Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to Your Body?
Signs and symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body.
Sanders JL, Houck RC. Dental Abscess. . In: StatPearls . Treasure Island : StatPearls Publishing 2021 Jan-. Available from:
Patti L, Gupta M. Change In Mental Status. . In: StatPearls . Treasure Island : StatPearls Publishing 2021 Jan-. Available from:
Shweta, Prakash SK. Dental abscess: A microbiological review. Dent Res J . 2013 10:585-591.
The Tooth Decay Process: How to Reverse It and Avoid a Cavity.
How To Cure A Tooth Infection
If you have signs and symptoms of a tooth infection, it is important to call your dentist as soon as possible. Dentists can help in a few ways, but remember that this infection will not go away on its own- treatment is necessary.
If you notice the symptoms go away, and you are no longer in pain, this does not mean the infection is gone. An infection can eventually kill the nerves that cause pain in your tooth, meaning you wont feel it anymore. The infection is still present and can potentially spread to your body and damage the surrounding teeth and your gums.
- A dentist or endodontist can perform a root canal, which is a procedure in which the infected pulp in your teeth is removed to prevent further infection.
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Can I Cure A Tooth Infection Without Antibiotics
No, complete cure of a tooth infection involves combination of salt water rinses in lukewarm water multiple times a day and intake of penicillin antibiotics like amoxicillin as per your dentists prescription.
However, the initial stage of cavity can be reversed with proper oral hygiene and eating foods rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D.
Are There Complications With Tooth Infections
If left untreated, an infection in an abscessed tooth can spread to your jaw, neck, and face. In some cases, it can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening infection that spreads to other parts of your body. Fortunately, due to improved dental hygiene, modern dental procedures, and antibiotics, dental infections are rarely life-threatening today.
Its important to visit your dentist if you have signs of an abscessed tooth so that they can get rid of the infection in its early stages. If an infection has spread beyond your teeth and gums to other parts of your face, neck, or body, seek treatment at an urgent care center or at the emergency department of your local hospital.
H3: How Can I Prevent an Abscess or Tooth Infection?
Avoiding tooth decay is essential to preventing a tooth abscess. To avoid tooth decay:
- Use fluoridated drinking water or fluoride supplements.
- Brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.
- Use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between your teeth daily.
- Replace your toothbrush every three or four months or whenever the bristles are frayed.
- Consume healthy food and drinks, limiting sugary items.
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleanings.
- Consider using an antiseptic or fluoride mouth rinse as an extra layer of protection against tooth decay.
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Consult Your Dentist Twice In A Year
It is important to get your oral health checked twice every year with an interval of 6 months between two visits.
Your dentist can help remove calculus and locate cavities and will also be able to spot potential oral health issues, if any, and offer treatment solutions.
Fluoride treatments initiated in the earliest stages of tooth cavity may help it to reverse and heal.
Tooth Abscess And Jaw Bone Infection: What You Need To Know
If you are experiencing tooth pain, you must visit your dentist as soon as possible. Tooth abscesses and jaw bone infections can be severe and may require hospitalization. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of a tooth abscess and jaw bone infection and the symptoms you should look out for. We will also provide some treatment options for these conditions.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Bacterial Infection In Mouth
A few of these infections are avoidable with good oral hygiene, and numerous just last a couple of days especially those that are common in childhood. Other dental conditions, nevertheless, are more advanced and can stay a lot longer.
Dental Caries
Dental caries is the primary outcome of dental caries, and among the most common oral infections out there. Known as the leading reason for tooth loss in children under 12, according to Dr. Neal R. Chamberlain at A.T. Still University, and is caused by the bacteria, Streptococcus mutans.
Gingivitis
A range of bacteria cause gingivitis the medical term for early gum disease and when they settle in the gums crevices , these bacteria produce contaminants. The gums react to these toxic substances with inflammation and swelling, which is why your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth. Between 50 and 90 percent of adults have gingivitis, which, if left untreated, leads to peridontal disease. The American Academy of Periodontology states that when certain bacteria are breathed into the lungs, they can cause pneumonia.
Periodontal Disease
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Herpangina
Thrush
Tooth Infection Home Care
You can do some things to ease your symptoms:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen for the discomfort.
- Try to chew on the side of your mouth away from the tooth.
- When you brush your teeth, use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
- Donât eat foods that are hot or cold.
- Put a cold compress on your jaw where your tooth hurts.
- Use a rinse of water and salt or diluted hydrogen peroxide.
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Relieving Pain From A Dental Abscess
While you’re waiting to see a dentist, painkillers can help control your pain.
Use ibuprofen for dental abscesses. If you’re unable to take it for medical reasons, you can take paracetamol.
If one painkiller does not relieve the pain, adults can take both paracetamol and ibuprofen. Always check the doses in the medicine leaflet.
[ii}Do not give both ibuprofen and paracetamol to children under 16 . Do not give aspirin to children under 16.
It may also help to relive pain if you:
- avoid hot or cold food and drink
- eat cool, soft food
- chew on the side of your mouth opposite to the affected area
- use a soft toothbrush and do not floss around the affected area
These can help relieve your symptoms for a short time. But you should see your dentist as soon as possible.
Relieving Pain From Dental Abscesses
A Dental abscess and periodontal abscess can be very painful. There are a few things that you can do at home to help relieve your pain until you can see your dentist.
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This will help to reduce swelling and pain.
Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face. This will help to reduce swelling.
If you have a toothache, it is best to see your dentist as soon as possible so that they can determine the cause of the pain and provide proper treatment. A Tooth abscess and jaw bone infection can lead to severe complications if left untreated.
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Common Signs Of Tooth Extraction Infections
Even though pain after a tooth extraction is normal, you need to know that the pain should not be excessive or long-lasting. This is frequently the absolute first indication of infection.
Furthermore, the signs of infection for all tooth extraction procedures are very similar in the beginning. The eight common symptoms of an infection after tooth extraction are:
- Swollen glands of the neck
- Bitter or foul taste in the mouth
- Extra sensitive teeth
- Pain that increases after extraction
Some signs and symptoms are severe enough to promote an immediate visit to the emergency room. Swelling in the jaw and fever, with or without trouble breathing, may imply you are encountering potentially fatal sepsis or are near it. Contact the nearest and most accessible medical provider in your area, like your emergency dentist or doctors from Omnicare Medical in Southbank, VIC. If they are not accessible, go quickly to the nearest emergency room.
What Is A Tooth Abscess
Tooth Abscess Before Dental Treatment
Tooth abscess is actually a leading reason that people seek emergency dental treatment, and without immediate treatment, this condition can have serious repercussions for both oral and whole body health. Understanding the warning signs of infection and tooth abscess can help you avoid severe, long-term oral health issues. Keep reading to learn a little more about what causes tooth abscess, the common symptoms to look out for, and how your dentist can treat tooth abscess and restore your smile.
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Bone Infection In The Mouth
Dental infection is another possible complication from tooth extraction. This happens when the bacteria enters the body after any dental procedure. A few signs of infection include unpleasant taste, bad breath, fever, and swelling in the gums, jaw, or neck.
Nevertheless, keep in mind to inform your dentist of any signs and symptoms of complications as soon as possible. You can visit Our Dental Care if youre looking for a clinic in Drummoyne, or any reliable dental clinic near you. Reporting your symptoms right away can immediately treat the problem and lessen the odds of developing further complications.
Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
Dental infections that may have migrated to the surrounding facial tissues require an interprofessional team approach, including physicians, dentists, specialists, specialty-trained nurses, and pharmacists, all collaborating across disciplines to achieve optimal patient results. Pharmacists review antibiotic prescriptions and check for drug-drug interactions. They also educate the patient’s about use, side effects, and the importance of compliance. Usually, patients with dental infections initially present to the emergency department, primary care provider, or urgent care. When systemic symptoms are consistent with a deep neck infection or osteomyelitis should be immediately identified and admitted to the hospital after stabilization. Initial stabilization should include IV antibiotics and close monitoring of the airway. Patients stable enough for outpatient treatment should get a referral to a dentist or other specialists like endodontists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Delay in treatment can worsen the dental infection and lead to tooth loss or spread of disease.
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Bone Infection After A Tooth Extraction
Though it’s highly uncommon, it’s also possible to develop a bone infection after tooth extraction. This condition is clinically called osteomyelitis, and although it is rare, it can be serious. Osteomyelitis can occur in the mouth when the open wound created from an extraction becomes contaminated, and the infection spreads to the underlying bone. The symptoms of osteomyelitis are similar to those of other dental infections, including:
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 has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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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
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 :
- 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.
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What Is A Tooth Infection
Tooth infection is pus and bacteria collection in the tooth, also called as tooth abscess, resulting in throbbing pain, sensitivity and pressure.
Symptoms of tooth infection or similar must not be ignored and you must consult your dentist as soon as possible.
Tooth infection if ignored may spread to the periodontal tissues and bone, resulting in periodontal infection and infection of jaw bone. It may also spread systemically and can prove to be lethal.
How Is Osteomyelitis Of The Jaw Diagnosed
Osteomyelitis of the jaw is usually diagnosed with a physical examination and medical history. Your dentist will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He or she will also examine your mouth, teeth, and jaw. X-rays may also be taken to look for infection in the bone. A biopsy may also be done to confirm the diagnosis.
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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.
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.
- 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:
- increased breathing rate
Last medically reviewed on May 28, 2019
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- Dental abscess. .
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