By Shumaila SEO 
A tooth infection is a cavity filled with pus brought about by bacteria. Therefore, this is a painful disorder that begins within the broken tooth or gum. It does not heal on its own. Thus, the disease is transmitted to other parts of the body untreated. This poses a severe health hazard to you.
Research indicates that bacteria move via blood vessels to the brain or the heart. According to the medical analysts, sepsis may occur within days of this spread. Experience proves that failure to pay attention to the symptoms results in hospitalization or death. Experts call for urgent treatment to halt this fast development.
And think of having a little toothache that is fatal in seven days. This is a silent killer that is hiding in your mouth. It also takes its time to impact your vital organs. A dental visit is not worth your life. Preventing infection will prevent you. Take action now.
What is a Tooth Infection?
A tooth infection is also known as a dental abscess. It occurs when bacteria come to a tooth. This penetration may take place via a hole. Therefore, the other pathway is a crack in the tooth. The gum disease also opens an aperture. In the tooth, bacteria replicate within it. Thus, this gives rise to a painful mass of pus.
Dental infections are of three major types.
- Periapical Abscess: This develops at the end of the root of the tooth.
- Periodontal Abscess: It occurs in the gum tissue adjacent to a tooth root.
- Gingival Abscess: It is an infection of the gum surface.
It is a mistake to disregard these infections. Therefore, they may be transmitted all over the body. Thus, this transmission leads to serious health complications.
Recognizing the Signs of a Tooth Infection
The initial step is to know the symptoms. Your life can be saved at an early age. Look for these common signs.
- Persistent Toothache: This is a severe throbbing pain, but it never subsides.
- Pain on Chewing: pain in biting.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Heat or cold food and beverages.
- Facial Swelling: Swelling of your neck, cheek, or face.
- Fever: This is when your temperature increases to combat the infection.
- Bad Breath: You always have a nasty taste or smell in your mouth.
- Swollen Lymph Nodes: Your neck or glands that are located below the jaw become tender.
It is also a severe symptom of a swollen face. Swelling could be reduced with a cold compress. Therefore, this is only a temporary fix. You are in need of a dentist.
When Tooth Infection is Life-Threatening.
An infection of the tooth may proceed. When spread, it becomes a major danger. Bacteria are transferred out of the tooth into other body parts. Therefore, this can take weeks or months. Occasionally, the contagion is extremely rapid. Thus, the infection can turn fatal in several days.
There are a number of reasons that put you at risk.
- Advanced Age: Elderly people are more exposed to severe complications. Therefore, they have weaker immune systems.
- Weak Immunity: Immunodeficient persons are at higher risk. Thus, this covers diabetics and cancer patients.
- Diabetes: Therefore, this is a condition that affects the body’s unable to resist infection.
- Malnourishment: A poorly nourished organism has difficulty fighting bacteria.
A disease that is left untreated causes dangerous conditions. Therefore, these complications are in need of urgent medical assistance.
Deadly Complications of Untreated Infections
Neglect of a tooth infection is disastrous. Therefore, the bacteria may be transferred by your mouth to vital organs. Thus, this may bring life-threatening problems.
Sepsis
Sepsis is a critical body response to infection. The infection spreads to your bloodstream. Therefore, the immune system of your body goes into overdrive. Various organ systems may be damaged by this reaction. High fever, rapid pulse, dizziness, and breathlessness are indicators of signs of sepsis due to infection of the tooth. Sepsis is an emergency in medicine. It may cause septic shock, organ failure, and even death.
Ludwig’s Angina
It is a severe mouth floor infection. It occurs under the tongue. This swelling may block your airway. Therefore, this complicates or makes it hard to breathe. Therefore, the angina of Ludwig needs urgent treatment. Unless treated within a short time, it may be fatal. Some of the symptoms include neck pain, swelling, problems with swallowing, and drooling.
Brain Abscess
The infection is capable of spreading to your brain. Therefore, this may occur via blood vessels. It may also be transmitted via the facial sinuses. A brain abscess consists of pus in the brain. It is a life-endangering condition. Thus, the symptoms are severe headache, fever, confusion, and neurological problems. It is treated with hardcore antibiotics and occasionally with surgery.
Mediastinitis
This is a mediastinal inflammation. Between your lungs is the space known as the mediastinum. Therefore, this is the place where the heart, major blood vessels, and esophagus are found. Thus, this can be infected by a tooth, and the infection travels down the neck. Mediastinitis is a highly severe disease. It can be fatal.
Necrotizing Fasciitis
It is a bacterial infection that is severe and rare. It also destroys soft tissue. Also, it is known as a flesh-eating disease sometimes. Tooth abscess bacteria can cause the face and neck to have this condition. It spreads quickly. It also requires urgent surgery and antibiotics.
How Quickly Can an Infection Kill You?
There is no exact timeline. Therefore, the development of a tooth infection is different. It is also conditional on the health of the person. It is reliant on the type of bacteria. An abscess may take weeks or months to become acute. The infection may be deadly within a few days once it has reached into bloodstream or the brain. There are those individuals who have a strong immune system and may have a chronic abscess that lasts months or years. This is very risky. The condition is a time bomb of an infection. It can flare up at any moment. It might be transmitted at any moment. Always think an infection will remain contained.
Treatment Options for Tooth Infections
Tooth infection cannot be treated independently. There are home remedies, such as rinsing with saltwater or clove oil, which are temporary. They are not curative of the infection. Professional care from the dentist is necessary.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are likely to be prescribed by a dentist. Such medications destroy the pathogenic bacteria. They help stop the spread. Antibiotics, not only, are a solution. The cause of the infection has to be addressed.
Drainage
The dentist should remove the pus in the abscess. This is accomplished by a small opening. Treatment of an abscess involves draining the abscess. It helps remove the bacteria.
Root Canal
In many cases, one of the infected teeth can be saved by a root canal. The dentist gets rid of the infected pulp within the tooth. The tooth is then sealed and filled, and then it is cleaned. This process removes the infection at the root.
Tooth Extraction
In other cases, the tooth is incurable. The infection can be too severe. The dentist will, in this instance, extract the tooth. This will enable the abscess to drain. It eliminates the cause of the infection.
Prevention: The Best Medicine.
It is much better to prevent a tooth infection than to treat it. The only defense is good oral hygiene.
- Brush Three Times A Day: Fluoride toothpaste. Brush twice every two minutes.
- Floss Daily: Flossing is used to clean the spaces between teeth.
- Reduce Sugar: Sweet foods and beverages cause tooth decay.
- Avoid Tobacco: Tobacco consumption exposes one to the risk of gum disease.
- Visit the Dentist regularly: Checkups and cleanings are essential. A dentist is able to identify the issues at an early stage.
It is important to treat any dental problem immediately. The slight gap or a broken tooth may cause a significant infection. Do not delay dental care.
Conclusion
Your mouth does not exist outside of your body. It is a pathway to your general well-being. Tooth infection is not only a dental issue. It is a medical problem. The mistake of taking a toothache as a little inconvenience is dangerous. It is the warning mechanism of your body that it is in danger, and it can grow with a deadly speed that causes no noise. Every agony is a ticking time bomb. It is not only how long it takes to make a disease fatal, but how long you are prepared to wait before putting your own life at risk. It is up to you to eliminate this ticking time bomb. Act swiftly. See your dentist. It will be appreciated by your future.