Can A Tooth Infection Make You Sick?
You won’t need to wonder whether you have a tooth infection or not. The tooth infection symptoms of pain, swelling, inflammation, and the inability to chew will convince you that your infected tooth needs immediate professional attention. Ignoring your tooth infection symptoms won’t make them go away, and you may notice tooth abscess danger signs that you shouldn’t ignore. Please continue reading to learn more about the dangers of teeth infection, the causes of them, and the answers to the questions “Can infected teeth make you sick?” and “How long can a tooth infection go untreated?”
What Is A Tooth Infection?
When a tooth has started to decay, and it’s not treated, it can cause a cavity. Like a tooth infection, cavity infection symptoms will usually include pain, inflammation, and a foul odor. Tooth decay can begin due to trauma, another dental procedure, or caries. However, by the time you experience tooth infection symptoms, the bacteria in your mouth will already have begun to erode your tooth enamel and attack the inside of your tooth. The nerves are affected, as are the pulp and the tooth root. If your tooth infection isn’t treated, the bacteria will start to cause decay, which, if not treated, will become an abscess. This can be a life-threatening condition. If you haven’t treated a painful tooth, but the pain stops, it may be because the pulp has died. Consequently, you may notice the symptoms of tooth infection spreading to other areas of your body. If this happens, more invasive treatment will be needed, so don’t ignore a tooth infection or a cavity.
What Are The Tooth Infection Types?
If your infected tooth has developed into an abscess, it can be one of three types:
- Gingival abscess: This is a painful sore that develops between your gums and teeth and is caused by a bacterial infection. Usually, an object such as a popcorn kernel or a toothpick splinter is the cause.
- Periapical abscess: This type of infection is a pocket of pus that’s caused by a bacterial infection. It accesses the pulp via a chip, crack, or cavity. With a periapical abscess, you may notice symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the bloodstream more rapidly because the tooth pulp is full of capillaries.
- Periodontal abscess: This type of infection is a shiny bump that contains a pocket of pus. It’s very sensitive, and adjacent teeth may also be sensitive. Usually, this type of abscess occurs in those who have periodontal disease.
What Can Cause A Tooth Infection?
Although a tooth infection can be caused by trauma, the most common cause is inadequate oral hygiene. After you eat, food particles and bacteria remain in your mouth and can lodge between your gums and teeth and start to cause dental infection symptoms. When the bacteria isn’t removed through brushing and flossing, it turns into plaque, which can only be removed by a dentist. The American Dental Association recommends that you brush, floss, and use an antibacterial mouthwash at least twice daily.
Can A Tooth Infection Spread?
When you don’t remove the bacteria and food particles in your mouth through brushing and flossing, they accumulate and start to attack your tooth enamel. The next steps are tooth decay and an abscess.
How Can A Tooth Infection Spread?
As with any infection in your body, a tooth infection will spread through the bloodstream. Your bloodstream consistently carries blood through your veins to your heart to your arteries and back to the veins, so any infection that’s present in any part of your body will be available to all other parts of your body.
What Are The Important Signs And Symptoms Of Tooth Infection?
If your tooth is infected or starting to abscess, you’ll be painfully aware of your tooth infection side effects. Throbbing pain, whether in the jaw or the tooth, is one of the most common dental infection symptoms. The pain may worsen when you lie down, and you may have a swollen cheek. Your teeth infection may make you feel ill, and the tooth will probably be very sensitive, especially to heat or cold. You may also notice a fever, bad breath, or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
Are There Reasons You Need To Treat A Tooth Infection As Soon As Possible?
The most important two reasons to treat a tooth infection as soon as possible are saving the tooth and keeping the tooth infection from spreading throughout your body. When a tooth infection escalates to an abscess, it can have life-threatening consequences, so you shouldn’t ignore it.
What Happens If A Tooth Infection Isn’t Treated?
Can a tooth infection make you sick? Absolutely. Not only can a tooth infection cause stomach problems, but it can also adversely affect your entire body, and it can kill you. Inflammation is a significant component of an infection or abscess, and when inflammation spreads to your major organs, they can stop functioning.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tooth Infection Spreading To The Body?
Symptoms of tooth infection spreading:
If your tooth infection has spread to other parts of your body, you may experience a general malaise that includes dizziness, fatigue, or a headache.
Symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the bloodstream:
If your tooth infection has spread to your bloodstream, then you may become dehydrated. Your urine will be darker and lower in quantity, and you may become confused. Your face may be swollen, and you may experience difficulty in opening your mouth, breathing, or swallowing. You may experience a fever and chills, flushed skin, or sweating.
Symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the heart:
If your tooth infection has spread to your heart, your pulse and respiration may increase, and you may become lightheaded. If you have symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the heart, then go to your dentist or urgent care facility immediately.
Can a tooth infection cause stomach problems?
One of the primary components of an infection is inflammation. When the inflammation travels to your stomach via your bloodstream, then you can experience pain, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Can a tooth infection affect your whole body?
An infected tooth can cause systemic issues throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body can include specific symptoms such as inflammation, soreness, swelling, and fever, or you may just feel generally unwell.
Can A Dental Abscess Travel To The Brain?
Absolutely. Your brain receives blood from your circulatory system, and if your tooth infection has spread to your bloodstream, then your brain can be adversely affected by the inflammation that was caused by the tooth infection. Tooth infection side effects will be manifested and felt throughout the body. They won’t be limited to the infected tooth or teeth.
What Are The Options For Tooth Infection Treatments?
- Antibiotics: If you have an abscess, your dentist will probably prescribe a round of antibiotics after they’ve drained the abscess and removed the infected tissue.
- Root canal: After your dentist has removed the abscess and cleansed the area, you may need a root canal so that you can get a crown placed afterward. The dental canal will be cleaned, shaped, filled with a rubbery substance called gutta-percha, and then sealed. A dental crown is usually placed on top of the root canal, and the crown restores functionality to the tooth. Learn more about Root Canal Cost in North Hollywood.
- Dental abscess treatment: When you go in for an abscess treatment, your dentist will make a small incision in your gums. This will allow them to drain the abscess, cleanse and disinfect the site, and then close up the incision. If you have significant decay or damage, then you may also require a tooth extraction.
- Tooth extraction: If your tooth infection or abscess has caused you to need a tooth extraction, your dentist will loosen the infected tooth with a dental instrument, then remove the tooth with forceps. Usually, patients receive an anesthetic shot to alleviate the pain in the gum, bone, and tissue surrounding the teeth. Learn more about tooth extraction cost in North Hollywood.
What Can A Tooth Infection Cause?
Although cavities aren’t always taken seriously, they should be. A dental cavity is caused by a tooth infection, and it can spread infection and inflammation throughout the body. When a tooth infection remains untreated, it can adversely affect your major organs and cause serious health problems.
How Long Can A Tooth Infection Go Untreated?
Ideally, a tooth infection should be treated as soon as you notice it. However, sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. If you notice that you have cavity infection symptoms or tooth abscess danger signs, you should immediately go to your dentist. If you’re wondering how long can a tooth abscess go untreated, the answer is however long it takes you to get to the emergency dentist or the nearest urgent care facility. A tooth abscess is a very serious condition and shouldn’t be ignored. It can kill you, so don’t procrastinate if you have an abscess.
If You Have A Tooth Infection…
If you have a tooth infection and you’re wondering “how long can a tooth abscess go untreated”, you should stop wondering and go to an emergency dentist or your local urgent care facility. An abscessed tooth is a severe issue that shouldn’t go untreated. You’ll more than likely lose the tooth, but that’s preferable to many of the alternatives. You can also have a dental crown or dental implant placed where the abscessed tooth was located.
If you’re wondering, “what can a tooth infection cause” then the short answer is an abscess. A tooth infection can also cause severe pain, infection in other parts of the body, and loss of your tooth. Even though a tooth infection can start as a relatively minor issue, it can escalate into a serious problem, so if you have a tooth infection, don’t delay seeking treatment.
If you have a tooth infection or an abscess, or any other dental issue, then call Victory Plaza Dental at (818) 927-0726. We’re conveniently located at 13065 Victory Blvd in North Hollywood, CA 91606. We’re open Monday through Sunday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. We have a variety of new patient specials on our website, and we’d love to welcome you as a patient. We know that you have many choices when it comes to dental offices in our area but call us first. We’ll work with you and customize your dental treatment to meet your needs. If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t let that deter you from fixing your tooth infection. We’ll work with you to make your dental treatments affordable. Call us today to schedule your consultation, or you can book your appointment online at your convenience.