Leaving an abscessed tooth untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening conditions.
An infected tooth can lead to an abscess. If left untreated, it can affect other parts of your body. What are the symptoms of a tooth infection? And what leads to it spreading to another part of your body?
If you are worried about a potential tooth infection, call The Dental Anesthesia Center. Don’t wait for the symptoms to disappear or risk a secondary infection.
Causes of Tooth Infections
A tooth infection is caused when bacteria enter the inner tooth by means of a cavity or chip in the tooth. An infection can lead to an abscess, or pocket of pus, at the tip of the tooth’s root. The dental pulp is the most susceptible to infection as it contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. If an abscess is left untreated, it can degenerate into more dangerous health issues. The infection can spread to surrounding bones and supporting tissues if not immediately treated.
Common causes of tooth infections include:
- Cavities
- Broken tooth
- Damaged dental work
- Excess plaque
- Dry mouth
- Compromised immune system
- Injured teeth or gums
- Gum disease and gingivitis
- Poor dental hygiene
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading
First of all, it’s rare for tooth infections to spread to other parts of the body. An abscess would have to go untreated for weeks or months to spread. This is typically an area of concern for special needs individuals, such as those with Alzheimer’s, autism, or an autoimmune disease.
If you or your loved one have a tooth infection, how do you know if it’s affecting other parts of the body? Symptoms to watch for include:
- Feeling sick
- Swelling of gums, neck, cheeks, or tongue
- Fever
- Rancid taste in the mouth
- Constant bad breath
- Difficulty swallowing
- Higher heart rate
- Tender or swollen lymph nodes
- Increased breathing rate
- Confusion
If you believe you have developed a systemic infection from a tooth abscess, call your dentist immediately or go to the nearest emergency room!
Contact The Dental Anesthesia Center
An infected tooth, especially one that has an abscess, needs immediate dental treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to complicated health problems that can become severe. If you’re worried about any aspect of your dental health, contact The Dental Anesthesia Center.
Call Us Today
The only board-certified dental anesthesiologist in Missouri, including St. Louis.