Do you have a toothache that you can’t seem to get rid of? Perhaps you’ve observed some swelling in your gums or jaw, or your tooth has changed into a different colour? It’s possible that you have a tooth infection. A tooth abscess, also known as a tooth infection, is an accumulation of bacteria and pus that develops inside the gum or tooth. When left untreated, tooth infections will spread across other parts of the body, resulting in severe and possibly life-threatening consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of the signs and symptoms of tooth infection spreading to body. This will prompt for an emergency dental treatment which lessens the possibility of complications.

This article will go through the necessary details of dental infections, signs of tooth infection spreading, and its implications for your oral health.

 

Overview

There are a lot of nerves in your teeth. That’s why having a toothache may feel terrible, even if it just affects one side of your mouth. Furthermore, the discomfort may link to a more serious oral health problem. For example, suppose your tooth is unbearably painful, sensitive, or has severe aches in your mouth. In that case, you may have a tooth infection or a tooth abscess.

 

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.

 

What to Expect in A Tooth Infection?

Tooth infections are usually readily treated. For someone who delays treatment, on the other hand, runs the danger of acquiring the following complications:

 

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis happens when the tooth infection starts spreading and reaches the bone that surrounds the tooth. Infection travels through the bloodstream until it gets into nearby tissues.

 

identifying spread of tooth infectionSinus blood clot

It is a rare type of infection that affects the blood vessels inside the sinuses. When left untreated, it can be life-threatening. When a blood clot forms in your sinus passages, there will be a blockage on the vein that carries blood from your head and face back to your heart.

 

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a common skin infection that can also affect your oral health. It causes pain, redness, and swelling. If left untreated, it can weaken your immune system, which increases your risk for severe complications.

 

Parapharyngeal abscess

Also known as a deep neck abscess, a parapharyngeal abscess is a severe medical condition that involves an infection behind the throat.

 

Sepsis

It is also an acute medical condition that causes the immune system to react aggressively towards blood infections.

 

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.

 

1. Sharp Pain when Eating

Tooth infection may be starting to spread if you suffer discomfort when eating. This situation could mean that the abscess already reached the root tip, causing damage to the bone and gums. The discomfort may become too intense that even pain relievers are ineffective. Furthermore, the infection causes additional strain to your mouth, which might be the reason for it to become unbearable.

 

2. Tooth Colour Change

A progressively infected tooth will appear significantly darker in comparison to your other teeth.

 

3. Jaw Swelling

Your face, jaw, and lymph nodes in the surrounding area will become swollen. You may also get jaw discomfort as a result of the swelling.

 

4. Swollen Gums

Additionally, you will notice significant swelling in your gums because of the pus filling them. The raised area surrounding your infected tooth may resemble a pimple. A draining fistula is an open pimple that ruptures and discharges pus, a definite indicator of tooth infection spreading.

 

5. Bad taste

As an infection starts to spread to your body, you may experience a bad taste in your mouth. Usually, this is often accompanied by foul breath. Having these symptoms clearly indicates that there is a high chance that your tooth infection has worsened.

 

6. Difficulty in Moving Your Mouth

Another red flag might be when you experience some difficulty in moving your mouth. Because of the discomfort and swelling by dental infections, you may find it challenging to adjust or open your mouth, unlike before.

 

7. Fever

Generally, tooth infection spreading may cause you to have an overall sense that you are unwell. If left untreated, you may develop a high fever which would need prescription medications to resolve.

 

When to See the Dentist?

seeking emergency helpSuppose you believe that you have a tooth infection and experience any of these symptoms. In that case, you should visit a dentist right away. Early intervention will help prevent dental diseases from spreading to other areas of the body.

Dental infections are not something you should attempt to treat on your own. They have the potential to escalate, producing a variety of issues. Thus, it is best to make sure that you will go to a trusted dental care provider to prevent the condition from worsening.

 

Is Emergency Dental Treatment Necessary?

The spread of a tooth infection is considered a medical emergency. If left untreated, diseases of this nature can quickly spread and become harder to resolve. Moreover, it might be fatal if improper treatment is done.

Therefore, it is a good idea to contact your emergency dentist as soon as possible. If you happen to be around, you can visit our clinic at Emergency Dentist Brisbane. We have on-call dentists that can surely accommodate your dental needs. In addition, our dentists can examine your condition and identify the best possible treatment plans to eliminate your infection and prevent further risks.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (07) 3132 3803 or book your appointment. You can also browse through our website to find out more.

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