TL;DR
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Systemic Warning Signs: While rare, a tooth infection can spread to other body parts. Symptoms include facial swelling, high fever, confusion, difficulty breathing, persistent headache, rapid pulse, and dehydration.
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Serious Complications: Untreated infections can lead to life-threatening conditions like sepsis, bone infections (osteomyelitis), or skin/fat infections (cellulitis).
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Emergency Dentist vs. ER: * Go to the ER if you have trouble breathing/swallowing, a very high fever, or signs of sepsis.
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See an Emergency Dentist for definitive treatment (extractions, root canals, or drainage). ERs generally only stabilize pain and provide antibiotics without fixing the source.
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Treatment Options: Depending on severity, dentists treat infections via root canal therapy, apicoectomy (root-end resection), antibiotics, or direct drainage of the abscess.
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Prevention: Maintain good oral hygiene (brushing/flossing), limit sugar, and attend regular dental checkups to catch issues before they turn into abscesses.
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Urgency: A tooth infection (abscess) is easily treatable, but delaying treatment can make it life-threatening. Seek help immediately if you suspect an infection.
Dental Infections
Dental infections are no fun. Without proper treatment, the infection in the tooth can spread to other parts of your body. This can lead to serious complications and may be life-threatening. Your mouth is full of bacteria from food, saliva, and plaque. This bacterium can enter your tooth and result in an abscessed tooth. A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms inside your tooth or gums.
The good news is that a tooth infection, also called an abscessed tooth, is easily treatable as long as treatment is not delayed. Read further as we discuss signs that a tooth infection is spreading and the complications that may arise if you do not get attention from an emergency dentist in Fountain Hills or an emergency dentist in Scottsdale.
Signs and Symptoms that A Tooth Infection is Spreading
While it is rare for a tooth infection to spread to other parts of the body, it can happen. If it does happen, the consequences can be severe. If you suspect that a tooth infection has spread, do not delay seeing your dentist. Call for dental treatment as soon as possible.
Signs and symptoms that may indicate the infection has spread include:
- Swelling of the face, neck, or cheeks
- Pain in the mouth or tongue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Itching sensation on the skin
- High fever
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent headache
- Double vision or loss of vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Dehydration
- Darker urine
- Rapid pulse rates and lightheadedness
- Breathing rate exceeding 25 breaths per minute
If an infection in the affected tooth is left untreated, it can spread to the face or neck. Severe infections can move to more distant areas of the body. In rare cases, the infection may become systemic and affect multiple tissues. Untreated tooth infections may also lead to osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the surrounding bone, cellulitis involving the skin and fat beneath the skin, cavernous sinus thrombosis affecting blood vessels in the sinuses, or a parapharyngeal abscess located at the back of the mouth. In the most severe cases, sepsis may occur, which is a serious condition caused by an extreme immune response to infection.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please see your dentist immediately. Whether you are seeking urgent care or looking for a trusted dentist for the elderly near you, timely treatment is critical.
Contact us to schedule a consultation and explore how our endodontic treatments can help restore your oral health.
Emergency Room vs Emergency Dentist for Tooth Abscess
When a tooth infection causes severe pain or swelling, many patients consider going to the emergency room. However, emergency rooms are limited in their ability to treat dental infections. Their primary role is to stabilize medical conditions, not to provide definitive dental care.
Emergency dentists are trained and equipped to diagnose and treat the source of a tooth infection. In most cases, visiting an emergency dentist leads to faster and more effective treatment.
Emergency Room vs Emergency Dentist Comparison
| Service | Emergency Room | Emergency Dentist |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Medical stabilization | Dental diagnosis and treatment |
| Ability to treat | Cannot perform root canals or extractions | Can treat with extraction, root canal, or drainage |
| Pain relief | Prescription medication only | Treats the source of pain |
| Infection control | Antibiotics only | Antibiotics and definitive treatment |
| Dental X-rays | Typically unavailable | Digital dental X-rays available |
| Estimated cost | $400 to $1,500 or more | $100 to $600 or more |
| Typical outcome | Temporary relief and referral | Infection treated or resolved |
In most other cases, an emergency dentist is the correct first choice. While an emergency dentist can often save a tooth, some severe infections require an extraction. If you lose a tooth to infection, our team can eventually discuss restorative options like teeth implants near you to fill the gap and restore your bite.
Treatment for a Tooth Infection
There are many ways a dentist can treat an infected tooth. The type of treatment depends on the location of the abscess and how far the infection has spread.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy may be required to treat abscesses deep inside the tooth. During the procedure, the dentist removes infected tissue and bacteria from the root of the tooth and fills the space with a material called gutta-percha. Once healed, the tooth may be restored with a filling or dental crown to prevent reinfection.
Apicoectomy
When a root canal is not sufficient, an apicoectomy, also known as a root-end resection, may be needed. This procedure involves opening the gums to remove the end of the tooth root and infected tissue.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the infection and prevent further spread. In severe cases, hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics may be necessary.
Drainage of the Infection
In some cases, the dentist may need to drain the pus directly from the abscess to relieve pressure and pain. This can often be performed in the dental office.
Even though most tooth infections can be easily treated, treatment should never be delayed.
Even though most tooth infections are easily treated, treatment should never be delayed. Untreated tooth infections can spread and become life-threatening. If you suspect a tooth infection, seek immediate dental care.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, limiting sugar intake, brushing and flossing daily, and visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams are the most effective ways to prevent tooth infections.
For more information, whether you are seeking a sleep apnea dentist near you or care for an infection, contact a professional dentist at Parkview Dentistry.
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