7 Reasons A Tooth Infection Can Endanger Your Health

A tooth infection is an ordinary issue. However, it is something that must always be considered as a serious problem. If the toothache is not treated, it can lead to further health risks. Today, we will consider some of the serious complications of toothache.

What is a Tooth Infection?

An untreated dental cavity, a tooth injury, and previous dental treatment can lead to the formation of an infection inside or under your tooth. The pulp is the hardest part, facing most wear and tear, and comprises nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

Swelling happens when the bacteria that cause tooth infection cause an infection to spread from the teeth to the tissues as well as the bones. Helicobacter pylori also leads to a pus collection at the tooth’s heart, known as a tooth abscess.

Symptoms of an Infected Tooth

Common signs that you need a dentist are related to a toothache.

• An intense, chronic, pulsating pain in a tooth or tooth area
• Sensitive teeth, especially when biting, chewing, or eating something.
• Sensitivity of teeth to temperature variation(hot and cold)
• Tooth sensitivity to pressure
• A bad taste in the mouth
• Bad breath
• Swollen neck glands or face
• Swelling of the gums
• Swelling of the jaw
• Dyspnoea or dysphagia
• Fever
• An infection of the tooth can spread to other areas of your body, such as your jaw, neck, sinuses, and brain.

Below are six bigger problems you could catch if a tooth infection is not treated.

1. Infection May Spread To The Adjacent Tissue Of The Jaw
Sometimes, just an infected or abscessed tooth begins to cause a much larger infection in the jaw bone. This infection can result in bone resorption and, if not treated, may become lethal. Antimicrobial therapy is often employed, whereas occasionally, it is accompanied by surgical intervention.

2. It Can Lead To An Infection In Your Sinus
Many of your teeth extend their roots into the sinus cavity – or at least very close to it. Therefore, when these teeth get infected, the infection is easily channeled to the tissues within your sinus cavity, culminating in a sinus infection. Any treatment offered for this initial sinus infection is often ineffective as it reoccurs intermittently until you attend to your tooth infection.

3. It Can Cause A Deep Abscess In Your Neck
The infection in your tooth can also travel to the tissue of your neck. Thought to be quite dangerous, this type of abscess causes the side of the neck to swell to the extent that it could compress the airway. This usually requires both antibiotics and surgery to help drain the infection.

4. It May Affect Any Body Part
An abscess in the mouth means you are in big trouble if bacteria enter your circulatory system. From here, the disease can go to any of your organs, including your brain. These infections can easily be fatal, and tooth infections are classified as dental emergencies.

5. It Can Lead To Meningitis
Tooth infection can also spread bacteria through your body and cause meningitis in other areas. Meningitis is a severe disease due to inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord. One of the causes of bacterial meningitis is severe and tends to cause hospitalization; therefore, one must try to avoid it at all costs.

6. It Can Lead To Sepsis
Sepsis can be described as a condition where your body’s immune system is overly sensitive to an infection in your bloodstream. There are several possible predisposing factors; however, one is when bacteria from a tooth infection enter your bloodstream. Sepsis can be fatal and will harm your organs and systems; it can cause further complications in the future. It is most prevalent in children of ages up to 5 years and the elderly, especially those with a damaged immune system or other chronic illnesses.

7. Ludwig’s Angina
It is a bacterial infection that develops on the floor of your mouth and under your tongue whenever you have a tooth abscess. Ludwig’s Angina incidence is higher in immunocompromised adults than in children. The causes of Ludwig’s Angina include poor oral hygiene, injuries to the teeth, having cuts in the mouth, or removal of teeth. To avoid Ludwig’s Angina, you should brush your teeth regularly and visit our dental clinic for a regular check-up at least once every six months. If you have a tooth or mouth infection, you should go to our dentist close to you as soon as possible.

Some of the signs include:

It is pain and/or tenderness localized to a particular area on the floor of the mouth beneath the tongue.

• Swallowing difficulties
• Breathing difficulties
• Speaking difficulties
• Drooling
• Swelling of the neck
• Redness of the neck
• Neck pain
• Ear pain
• Fever
• Weakness
• Chills
• Confusion
• Fatigue

Conclusion

Ludwig’s Angina is treated by antibiotic agents that are responsible for eradicating bacteria within the affected patient. In more severe cases, you will be attached to the breathing tube through the mouth and down to the windpipe. Visit Azle Dental Office TX today to solve your tooth-related issues.