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Dental infections can take a dangerous turn when it’s not properly treated. It can spread far beyond the mouth and affect vital organs like the heart, stomach, and brain.
Understanding the warning signs of a tooth infection can help prevent serious health issues and protect your overall health. Let’s discuss what symptoms you should be on the lookout for and what you should do.
Without treatment, a tooth infection may spread to other body parts. Typically, it takes a few days to weeks for the infection to spread from the tooth to other body parts, but in severe cases, systemic infection can develop more rapidly.
The most common symptoms of a tooth infection include:
A tooth infection is a localized problem often caused by cavities, damaged teeth, or gum disease. Without proper treatment, harmful bacteria from these conditions can slip past the tooth’s protective barrier and travel throughout the body.
Here are the three main pathways by which these bacteria spread:
If your tooth infection is beginning to spread, you will likely feel generally unwell and present with specific symptoms.
Symptoms that a tooth infection has spread to other parts of the body include:
A dental abscess can travel to the brain. Once there, it can develop another abscess, known as a cerebral abscess.
If the infection has spread and reaches your brain, it can be life-threatening. While rare, a brain abscess requires urgent medical treatment.
Symptoms of a brain abscess include:
If you suspect that you or your child may have a brain abscess, please seek medical treatment immediately. Your doctor will perform an MRI or CT scan to make a diagnosis. If they find an abscess, they will likely perform other tests to determine its origin.
Another potential risk of neglecting a tooth infection is the possibility of it spreading to the mediastinum.
The mediastinum is the name of the chest cavity structure that holds your heart and other critical structures (like your trachea, esophagus, and thymus gland). It sits between your pleural cavities, which hold your lungs.
When bacteria from a tooth infection spread to the mediastinum, it can result in mediastinitis.
Mediastinitis is a rare complication of an untreated tooth infection. Without prompt treatment, it can quickly become life-threatening.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, and chills. If you show signs of mediastinitis in conjunction with your tooth infection, please seek medical treatment immediately.
If a tooth abscess is untreated, the bacteria can spread into your bloodstream, resulting in sepsis (blood infection). Sepsis is a serious, life-threatening condition.
Early symptoms of sepsis include:
Once you are septic, the condition can progress into septic shock within 12 to 24 hours. Septic shock causes your blood pressure to drop to a dangerously low level, which can result in death if not treated immediately.
If you experience any of the above symptoms of sepsis, please seek emergency medical care immediately.
If you think you might have a dental infection, get treatment immediately. Schedule a dental appointment if you have a toothache or mouth swelling.
Common symptoms of a dental infection that requires urgent treatment include:
Depending on the cause of the tooth infection, treatment may include:
Dental infection can lead to various dangerous health issues that can be potentially life-threatening. These include:
Additionally, not getting treatment for dental infections can lead to expensive hospital and surgery treatment costs. The extended pain and anxiety can also affect sleep, appetite, and overall health.
The best way to prevent a tooth infection is by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly. The cleaner and healthier you keep your mouth, the less likely you are to develop problems.
Some suggestions for maintaining your oral hygiene include:
Get professional teeth cleanings and dental check-ups at least every six months.
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