If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
Your dentist may also use X-rays to determine whether the infection has spread, causing abscesses in other areas. Recommend a computed tomography (CT) scan. If the infection has spread to other areas within your neck, a CT scan may be used to see how severe the infection is.
When bacteria invade the pulp, infection can spread to the tip of your tooth's root, then, eventually to the surrounding bone, causing an abscess to form. Periodontal: This infection starts in the bone and tissues that support your teeth.
Sepsis may not occur until several weeks or months after the toothache develops, which means you can prevent it by visiting your dentist as soon as you realize you have an aching crown.
If you have a severe tooth infection, your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics to prevent it from spreading. 1 Antibiotics may prevent tooth loss and other serious health complications.
In conclusion, the maximum period that an untreated tooth abscess can sustain is 12 months or more. But, such longevity is associated with dangerous complications such as sepsis or even death. Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!
There is little chance that a tooth infection will spread to other parts of the body. Patients that have any of the below symptoms should call our office right away. Infections that spread can be life threatening and should be taken seriously.
A persistently high fever, dizziness, lightheadedness, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion, and digestive problems are potential signs of sepsis and should be treated as a medical emergency.
pain that spreads to your ear, jaw and neck on the same side as the affected tooth or gum. pain that's worse when lying down, which may disturb your sleep. redness and swelling in your face. a tender, discoloured and/or loose tooth.
Tooth infections that have traveled to the jawbone can lead to severe dental abscesses and jawbone infections. Osteomyelitis in the jaw causes persistent pain, jaw stiffness, swelling, and tenderness. Additionally, bacterial infections of the teeth can also spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis.
What's The Takeaway? To summarize, a dentist can easily pull an infected tooth out. However, to prevent the bacteria from infecting other sites, dentists prefer to either drain the abscess or reduce the infection with the help of antibiotics first. This way, there won't be any alarming results after.
Saltwater rinse
One of the easiest things that you can do to help lessen the pain of a tooth infection and try to stop the spread of an infection is to rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. A saltwater rinse will kill off some of the bacteria in your mouth and irrigate your mouth.
In case of an infection, the bacteria from your mouth may find their way to the pulp and cause nerve damage. This is why tooth extraction has to be performed to prevent this damage. A root canal procedure may also help in case the damage isn't extreme.
The main concern with untreated tooth infections is that they will spread to other areas of your body and result in compilations like the following: Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone surrounding the tooth. Cavernous sinus thrombosis: An infection of the blood vessels in your sinuses.
An untreated tooth infection may lead to the following medical problems: Tooth loss: When the tooth becomes infected, it may become severely decayed, broken or loose and could require removal. Bone infections: If bacteria from a tooth infection spread to the surrounding bones, it can cause damage to the jaw bone.
Root canal treatment enables dentists to save severely damaged, decayed, or infected teeth. The procedure is typically recommended when a tooth has a compromised pulp chamber. The pulp chamber is the innermost layer of a tooth, and it contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends: Oral amoxicillin (if you are not allergic to penicillin): 500 mg three times a day for 3 to 7 days. Oral penicillin (as a second option): 500 mg four times per day for 3 to 7 days.
Amoxicillin is usually the first choice for tooth infection treatment. If your tooth infection is more serious, your dentist may prescribe a combination of amoxicillin and another drug called Clavulanate. This combination is stronger and more effective against tooth infections.
It typically helps to resolve tooth infection symptoms within a few days, but as with all medications, amoxicillin may also cause side effects. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you're experiencing unwanted side effects, or if your tooth infection isn't improving or is getting worse with treatment.
Sepsis following a bacterial infection from a dental condition or treatment is rare. However, it can be a life-threatening condition if patients are not managed appropriately. It is therefore essential providers and their teams are aware of the signs and symptoms of sepsis and how it should be managed.
A root canal may be recommended in an attempt to save the tooth. If you have a severe infection, your tooth may need to be removed, or you may need surgery to drain the abscess. Some people may need to be admitted to the hospital.
Sepsis can affect your mental status. Some people, especially the elderly, may not show typical signs of infection. Instead, they may show a sudden change in mental status, becoming confused, or a worsening of dementia and confusion. Sleepiness, often severe, is also a common complaint.