What Happens If a Tooth Infection Spreads to Your Jaw?

A tooth infection is the build-up of pus and bacteria inside the teeth or gums. The bacteria cause tooth infections. And if left untreated, the bacteria inside the tooth might spread to the jaw. So, if it to the jaw, it could lead to serious and potentially life-threatening conditions.

What Happens If a Tooth Infection Spreads to Your Jaw?

Here is what happens if tooth infection spreads to the jaw:

A tooth infection spreading to the jaw could lead to toothache, bone infection, tooth loss, blood infection, and inflammation throughout the body.

Toothache

If there is an opening in the tooth enamel, then bacteria might infect the pulp of the tooth. The infection might spread from the root of the tooth to the jaw. The infection could cause a toothache. Why? Because the infection could lead to tissue swelling and buildup of pus within the tooth and jaw.

Bone Infection

The presence of bacteria inside the tooth could lead to bone infection. The bacteria travel from the pulp of the tooth to the jaw, causing bone infection. And the bacteria can destroy the supporting bones over time. The bone infection could cause swelling and dissolve the jaw bone. The swelling can damage the bone and lead to bone loss.

Tooth Loss

Once the infection spreads to the jaw, the bone structures of the jaw become weak. A weak jaw bone structure does not support the teeth. So, if a person does not treat their tooth infection, they will lose more teeth later in life. If a tooth falls out, it leaves an empty space in the jaw, leading to bone loss and tooth loss.

Inflammation

If a person does not treat a tooth infection, the infection could spread to the jaw bones and other parts of the body. In fact, the bacteria from the tooth infection could spread to the jaws and enter the bloodstream to cause inflammation throughout the body. The inflammation could rupture organs and block arteries.

Blood Infection

Last, but not least, the bacterial infection could spread to the jaw and through the entire bloodstream. If bacteria from the tooth infection enters the bloodstream, it could lead to adverse effects. The person may experience a rapid heartbeat, high fever, chills, confusion, vomiting, and severe nausea. Blood infection can cause shock and organ failure.

Final Thoughts

Most tooth infections are easy to treat. Early treatment can stop the tooth infection from spreading to the jaw. However, if the tooth infection spreads to the jaw, the infection could become severe and life-threatening. Maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly can prevent tooth infections.

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Is Same Day Tooth Extraction Possible?

If you are dealing with an infected tooth, it’s very important to act quickly. The longer you wait to address it, the more damage can be done to your teeth and gums. But when is it the right time to pull an infected tooth?

If you have an infected tooth that has been bothering you and you are eager to see it go, you may wonder, once you have scheduled an appointment, will the dentist pull your tooth on the first visit or will it have to wait until a second one?

Will a Dentist Pull a Tooth on the First Visit?

A dentist can pull a tooth that’s infected during the first appointment, but it’s highly unlikely for him or her to actually do it. In most cases, a consultation is necessary for a variety of reasons that you need to know about.

The consultation allows the dentist to determine what type of extraction is required, whether there’s actually an infection present, and whether the procedure requires anesthesia. X-rays will also be needed to get a closer look at your teeth and jaw.

You will then be booked for the procedure after the consultation. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, the dentist will likely book you as soon as possible. Many dental offices allow for emergency appointments after hours for urgent cases.

Final Thoughts

The reality is that while all dentists can perform emergency tooth extractions, they will hardly ever pull a tooth on the first visit. To reduce your risk of developing an infection that may require emergency treatment, you need to take proper care of your teeth.

Proper oral care includes maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding substances likely to damage your teeth, and having regular dental checkups in Albuquerque every 6 months. If you visit the dentist regularly, the signs of infection can be identified in the early stages and addressed before significant damage occurs.

How a Toothache Can Turn Into An Emergency If You Don’t Get Treatment

It’s easy to think of a toothache as an inconvenience, especially if the pain isn’t that severe. However, a sore tooth can actually be the sign of a serious medical issue. It’s vitally important to get care for your teeth right away.

When a tooth is in pain, it can often be the sign of an infection. This infection can turn into an abscess, which is a collection of pus that causes swelling. But while the infection may start out in your tooth, it won’t necessarily remain there.

Dental infections can easily spread, and that spread can be incredibly rapid. There are two places that infection is likely to spread to — the brain, and the heart. Both can be incredibly dangerous, and if left untreated, can even be fatal. Multiple people have died because of untreated toothaches.

If you see a doctor about a toothache, the first thing they’ll give you is a prescription for antibiotics. They know how serious a tooth infection can be, and they know the consequences of leaving it untreated. They’ll make sure your toothache doesn’t get any worse.

Even if your tooth isn’t infected, an ordinary toothache can easily turn into something serious. For example, a toothache may mean that something in your jaw has been dislodged. This is particularly likely if you’ve suffered some kind of blow to your head. It’s important that your jaws get reset so they can heal properly.

Don’t let your toothache become an dental emergency. Get the treatment you need as soon as possible so that you can start getting better. There’s no reason to let what could be a small problem turn into a big one. Find a way to get the care you need right away.

If you have a painful toothache call our Albuquerque emergency dental office immediately for a complete examination.