How serious is a gum infection?

If not treated, these deep infections cause a loss of tissue and bone. Eventually you may lose one or more teeth. Also, ongoing inflammation can put a strain on your immune system, causing other health problems.

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How do I know if my gum infection is serious?

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.

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What happens if a gum infection goes untreated?

Untreated gingivitis will progress into periodontitis, which is a more severe stage of gum disease. The infection and pockets deepen while eating away at your jaw until your teeth become loose and fall out.

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What do they do if your gums are infected?

In order to remove the bacterial source of the infection, a dentist must clean it out completely. This occurs within a tooth during a root canal procedure, or around a tooth during periodontal treatments. A dentist can also remove the source of a gum infection by removing the tooth.

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Will gum infection go away?

An abscess in the gum is called a periodontal abscess. Dental abscesses are often painful, but aren't always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. It's important to get help as soon as possible, because abscesses don't go away on their own.

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Explaining gum disease

40 related questions found

What are the stages of a gum infection?

This article outlines the causes, symptoms, prevention and management methods and outlook for each one.
  • Gingivitis. ...
  • Periodontitis - Stage 1: Initial. ...
  • Periodontitis - Stage 2: Moderate. ...
  • Periodontitis - Stage 3: Severe (with potential for tooth loss) ...
  • Periodontitis - Stage 4: Severe (with potential for the loss of all teeth)

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How do dentists fix a gum infection?

Nonsurgical treatments
  1. Scaling. Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and below your gumline. It may be done using instruments, a laser or an ultrasonic device.
  2. Root planing. Root planing smooths the root surfaces. ...
  3. Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection.

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How long can you leave an infected gum?

In case a person does not treat a dental abscess in its initial stage, then the infection may last anywhere between 5 months to 12 months or even more. Moreover, if no treatment is meted out to the condition, the precious dental pulp will die away and may get another abscess.

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What is the fastest way to get rid of a gum infection?

Salt water is extremely effective in helping to heal gums affected by gum disease. Salt water can treat inflammation, ease pain, and reduce bacteria in the mouth and gums. Rinsing with salt water 2-3 times a day can be effective in battling a gum infection.

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How long until gum disease is serious?

Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease. At this stage, your gums will start to pull away or "recede" from your teeth.

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Do I need antibiotics for gum infection?

The inflamed gums are known as periodontitis. This type of infection is an inflammation of the gums around impacted or semi-erupted wisdom teeth. In most cases, dental infections will not require antibiotics. Any pharmacological intervention is a temporising measure only.

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Can a gum infection heal with antibiotics?

Periodontal disease has its roots in infections of the gum tissue caused by bacteria on the surface of your teeth. If left untreated, it can cause tissue loss as well as tooth loss. However, like many types of infection, periodontal disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

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What is a severe kind of gum infection?

Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented.

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When should I go to the dentist for a gum infection?

In addition, you should see a dentist if your gums are swollen for several weeks. That goes even if you don't have symptoms of an infection. If at-home oral care doesn't reduce the swelling, there may be a more serious condition that needs evaluation.

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What does dental sepsis feel like?

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.

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What happens if tooth infection spreads to jaw?

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.

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How long does it take to get sepsis from tooth infection?

While it takes a long time for a tooth infection to become fatal, it's possible for a tooth infection to develop into sepsis if left untreated. Typically, this process takes a few months.

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What does a gum abscess look like?

A periodontal abscess is a pocket of pus in the tissues of the gum. It looks like a small red ball pushing out of the swollen gum. An abscess can occur with serious gum disease (periodontitis), which causes the gums to pull away from the teeth.

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Will I lose my teeth with gum disease?

If left untreated, gum recession and tooth loss can occur. Whilst some symptoms will indicate the presence of gum disease because it is such a slow-progressing condition, regular hygienist appointments are paramount if you want to prevent unpleasant symptoms.

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Can gum infection spread?

In severe cases, a dental infection can spread to your face, sinuses, neck, jawbone, blood, and even your entire system. Infection vs. abscess — An infection of bacteria can lead to an abscess (AKA a pocket of pus). These terms are often used interchangeably, even though they are slightly different.

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What causes gum infection in adults?

Overview. Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden. It starts with swollen, red, and bleeding gums.

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What does stage 4 gum disease look like?

Stage 4: Progressive Periodontitis

This stage involves teeth looseness, shifting teeth, red, swollen and painful gums, often forming an abscess. The end result — eating and even smiling is hard and painful, and you may lose most of your teeth.

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What does stage 3 gum disease look like?

The final stage is advanced periodontal disease. It occurs when the infection deepens even further. Advanced periodontal disease causes red, swollen gums that ooze pus, cold sensitivity, further loosening of teeth, severe bone loss, painful chewing, and severe halitosis (bad breath).

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How quickly do antibiotics work for gum infection?

Although you might not notice it right away, antibiotics begin working as soon as you start taking them. Usually, within 2-3 days, you'll start feeling better and see an improvement in the infection. On average, a full course of antibiotics takes 7 to 14 days to complete depending on the type used.

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