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.
Sepsis and Toothaches
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.
redness inside the mouth, or outside the mouth on the face or jaw. sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink in the affected area. a bad taste in your mouth. difficulty opening your mouth and chewing food.
People who have sepsis will need treatment from an intensive care unit. Such treatment typically involves intravenous antibiotics and fluids. Other treatments may be necessary to support the body's organs and limit the damage resulting from the infection. Such treatments may include dialysis or surgery.
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.
Antibiotics alone won't treat sepsis; you also need fluids. The body needs extra fluids to help keep the blood pressure from dropping dangerously low, causing shock. Giving IV fluids allows the health care staff to track the amount of fluid and to control the type of fluid.
Penicillin-type antibiotics are also used to treat blood infections (sepsis), meningitis, endocarditis, and other serious infections. Brand names of amoxicillin include Moxatag and Amoxil.
In rarer cases—usually when the abscess is left untreated—a tooth infection can spread. Dental infections often spread locally. However, if the abscessed tooth isn't treated, the infection can continue to spread to other areas of your body and potentially cause sepsis, a life-threatening medical condition.
A single diagnostic test for sepsis does not yet exist, and so doctors and healthcare professionals use a combination of tests and immediate and worrisome clinical signs, which include the following: The presence of an infection. Very low blood pressure and high heart rate. Increased breathing rate.
Complete blood count (CBC): A CBC is a common blood test. It measures how many white blood cells are circulating in your blood, among other things. White blood cells (also called leukocytes) fight bacteria, viruses, and other organisms your body identifies as a danger.
The Danger of Untreated Infected Teeth and Gums
If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years. There are two types of dental abscess – one can form under the tooth (periapical) and the other in the supporting gum and bone (periodontal).
If the bacterial infection from an infected tooth spreads to the blood, it can cause a medical condition known as sepsis. Sepsis is a blood infection that can occur when the immune system is weak; for example, hospital patients are susceptible to sepsis. In addition, young children and seniors are also prone to sepsis.
Acute oral infections take between three and seven days to resolve, but you may take antibiotics for longer. You may get a deep cleaning to open the tooth and remove the infected contents. If needed, your doctor will make an incision or drainage point on the soft tissue to relieve pressure and remove pus.
An untreated tooth infection can eventually lead to bacteria in the bloodstream, sometimes called blood poisoning, also known as bacteremia or septicemia. If left untreated, septicemia can cause a severe whole-body infection called sepsis, which can be life-threatening. Early signs of septicemia include: High fever.
Dental Treatment in the Emergency Room
In the case of bacterial infections, they can provide antibiotics and will arrange for transfer to the hospital if necessary. They can also treat broken, dislodged, or fractured teeth and help to control severe pain.
Dentists are permitted to extract infected teeth to benefit your dental and overall health. Tooth infections left within your mouth can create jaw bone infections that are more severe to manage.
For example, the “golden hour” as applied to the treatment of critically children and adults with severe sepsis and septic shock is based upon early recognition, early administration of antibiotics, and early reversal of the shock state.
Treatment for sepsis
Sepsis needs treatment in hospital straight away because it can get worse quickly. You should get antibiotics within 1 hour of arriving at hospital. If sepsis is not treated early, it can turn into septic shock and cause your organs to fail.
Sepsis can develop quickly from initial infection and progress to septic shock in as little as 12 to 24 hours.1 You may have an infection that's not improving or you could even be sick without realizing it.
Although it is not very clear, according to the literature in most cases, 2-3 days of medication is adequate. However, when the treatment is not done properly, the antibiotic coverage may be needed for up to 7 days. According to the International Dental Journal study notes, most acute infections resolve in 3-7 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.
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.