Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to Body

Types of Tooth Infections & Causes

Tooth infections range from mild to severe. They typically begin with a toothache that gets worse with time. Left untreated, tooth infections can spread to other parts of the body, potentially resulting in life-threatening conditions.

Some common causes of tooth infections include:

1. Cavities

Plaque is a by-product of food particles and saliva that contains cavity-causing bacteria. These bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) damage your teeth and gums over time, leading to cavities. 

If a cavity becomes large enough, it will eventually reach the nerve of a tooth. This process allows bacteria to accumulate deeper into the tooth. An infection will start developing over time as the bacteria reach the nerves.

Neglected oral care, plaque buildup, and diets high in sugar are the leading causes of tooth decay.

2. Dental Abscesses

If a cavity is left untreated for too long, a dental abscess can form.

A dental abscess is the most common type of tooth infection. Abscesses develop from a bacterial infection that usually begins in a tooth’s soft pulp.

3. Other Causes

Tooth damage can allow bacteria to spread to deeper parts of the teeth or gums, resulting in an infection.

People with weakened immune systems, diabetes, and those taking certain medications (like steroids) are also at a higher risk for developing tooth infections.

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
• Swelling in the mouth near the affected tooth
• Bad breath and taste in the mouth
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever (severe cases)

13 Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to the Body 

Abscesses can burst on their own, and the pain may diminish. However, it is essential to seek dental treatment because the bacteria can still spread beyond the tooth. 

Symptoms of a tooth infection spreading to the body include:

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Dizziness
4. Fatigue
5. Skin flushing
6. Sweating/chills
7. Face swelling, which can make it difficult to open your mouth, swallow, and breathe correctly
8. Severe and painful gum swelling
9. Dehydration, leading to darker urine and less frequent urination
10. Increased heart rate 
11. Increased breathing rate (25+ breaths a minute)
12. Increased body temperature
13. Stomach pain, diarrhea, and/or vomiting

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 (cerebral abscess):

• Fever
• Headache
• Chills
• Visual changes
• Body weakness on one side
• Seizures
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Personality changes
• Going in and out of consciousness

Can an Infected Tooth Make You Sick?

Poor oral hygiene and neglected dental care allow the harmful bacteria in your mouth to cause infections. Eventually, an untreated tooth infection (abscess) can make you sick.

If left untreated, a dental abscess can have serious consequences on your oral health and entire body. 

When to Worry About a Tooth Infection

If you suspect you have a dental abscess, don’t wait until it ruptures to seek treatment. Dental infections should be treated promptly to prevent the spread of the infection.

Common symptoms of a dental infection (abscess) that requires urgent dental care include: 

• Noticeable sore under the gums (collection of pus)
• Swelling and inflammation near the affected tooth
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Loose tooth
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Tooth sensitivity
• A severe, throbbing toothache that doesn’t go away
• Swollen and painful lymph nodes in the neck
• Pain when chewing or biting down

How Long Can a Tooth Infection Go Untreated?

If you wait too long to treat a tooth infection, it can begin spreading to other areas of your body, including the neck, head, or jaw. A general dentist must professionally drain an abscessed tooth by extracting it or performing a root canal.

Usually, this includes draining pus and bacteria, which is why some people are actually unaware they have an infection. It is unpredictable to determine how long a dental abscess will drain until it stops and causes facial cellulitis (swelling).

You should never pop or squeeze an abscess because the infection can be pushed deeper into the tissues of your mouth. 

Risks of not treating a tooth infection promptly:

• Tooth loss
• Infection of the blood vessels inside the sinuses
• Bone infection surrounding the tooth
• Sepsis (a serious medical condition where the immune system overreacts to a blood infection)
• Brain abscess (rare, life-threatening infection)
• Parapharyngeal abscess (abscess at the back of the mouth)

When is a Tooth Infection an Emergency?

A dental abscess infection is always considered a dental emergency. Any visible gum swelling (with pain or not) can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.

During emergency treatment for a dental abscess, the surgeon will open up the abscess and drain it. This will relieve pressure and reduce any pain associated with the infection.

You will also receive prescription antibiotics to help clear the infection. 

How to Prevent a Tooth Infection

To prevent tooth infections and cavities, you should:

• Brush your teeth twice a day 
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily
• Rinse with mouthwash before bed
• Eat a healthy diet (limit the intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates)
• Get professional teeth cleanings every six months

Tooth Infection Treatment Options

Depending on the cause of the tooth infection, treatment may include:

Dental Abscess Treatment (Drainage)

During this procedure, your dentist will make a small incision into your gums and drain the abscess. They will drain all of the pus out before stitching it back up to ensure the bacteria is removed.

If your tooth is severely damaged or decayed, extraction will likely be necessary. You’ll need a dental implant after the tooth is surgically removed, which can cost up to $4,000. 

Root Canal Treatment 

Root canal treatment is necessary if you have a large cavity that has spread to the tooth’s pulp. This treatment can also involve abscess draining.

During the procedure, your dentist will remove the infected dental pulp and drain the abscess.

The root canal is cleaned, shaped, and sealed. Then a dental crown is placed on top of the root canal treated tooth.  

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat dental abscesses. After the abscess is drained, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to clear up the remaining infection. Antibiotics alone do not cure abscesses.

Depending on the severity of your abscess or infection, you may need oral antibiotics or IV antibiotics. 

Apicoectomy

If you have a root canal-treated tooth — but are still experiencing a toothache — an apicoectomy may be necessary. This is a minor dental surgery that removes the apex (or the tip of the tooth's root). 

Sepsis Treatment

Sepsis is a serious medical condition where the immune system overreacts to a blood infection. It can occur if you ignore a severe toothache.

Left untreated, sepsis can lead to septic shock. This is when the blood pressure drops significantly, potentially causing organ failure and death.

If you develop sepsis, you'll need to visit an ICU (intensive care unit). Fluids and IV antibiotics will be used to treat this condition.

If your organs are severely damaged, additional treatments may be necessary.

Tooth Infection: Common Questions and Answers