Do you have swelling gum coupled with throbbing pain and fever? That could potentially be a tooth abscess. This tooth infection is easily treatable, but when you delay treatment, it could cause you serious trouble. How serious? Imagine sepsis and other life-threatening infections.
Read on to learn the signs and symptoms of a tooth infection and what you can do in this situation.
Signs Of Tooth Infection
If you have a tooth infection, you’ll likely experience the following:
-Tooth pain when eating
-Swollen gums with pus
-Bad taste in the mouth
-Darkened tooth
-Sensitivity to cold drinks and food
-Bad breath
-Fever
Signs Of A Spreading Tooth Infection
A tooth infection can spread throughout your body and cause severe health consequences. Watch out for these signs and symptoms and contact your emergency dental care provider quickly:
-Throbbing pain in the teeth and jawbone radiating to the ear or neck
-Swollen cheek, jaw, face, and surrounding lymph nodes
-Feeling fatigued and dizzy
-Itching skin
– Darker urine
-High fever with chills and sweating
-Difficulty in opening and moving your mouth
-Swelling face that impedes breathing
-Dehydration and lightheadedness
-Faster pulse rate
-Diarrhea and vomiting
-Increased breathing rate (higher than 25 breaths/minute)
Untreated tooth infections can spread to the ear and neck. In more serious situations, it can spread to the other parts of the body and cause systemic infections. Some of these are Osteomyelitis (infection to the teeth bone), Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis (infection of the blood vessels), and Sepsis. Sepsis, though rare, may happen when your immune system overreacts to blood infections and releases excessive chemicals. This could lead to organ damage.
How To Deal With Tooth Infections
Unlike minor toothaches, you cannot manage tooth infections alone. You need help from an experienced emergency dentist who can determine the best course of action. Depending on how extensive the infection has gone, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics or drain the infection on site. Other potential treatment options are Root Canal or Apicoectomy.
Sign up for a same-day appointment with an emergency dentist if you’re experiencing tooth infection symptoms.
