What Happens If Tooth Infection Spreads to Your Jaw?

A tooth infection, or abscess, 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.

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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What’s The 3-3-3 Rule For Toothaches?

If you have ever had a toothache, you probably know that the unique pain is simply unforgettable. Obviously, you should promptly visit your dentist if you have any tooth pain, but if you have to wait to do so for whatever reason, you can use several coping strategies, one of the most popular being the 3-3-3 method.

What Is the 3-3-3 Method for Tooth Pain?

Tooth or gum pain is almost always due to swelling or inflammation. If you reduce the swelling, then you will reduce the pain. The best way to reduce the pain and inflammation in the short-term is with the 3-3-3 method: 3 ibuprofen (600mg total) 3 times a day for 3 days.

One thing you must not do is take the ibuprofen only to stop taking it once you start experiencing pain relief. The trick is to keep the ibuprofen levels up so that you can reduce the inflammation. If you stop taking it, then it will be a while before the ibuprofen kicks in again.

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What Will a Dentist Do To Treat a Toothache?

Toothaches come in many different forms, but are usually a sign that something needs to be checked by a dentist. When it comes to what actually causes toothaches, some common ones are gum infections, cavities, teeth grinding, infections, cracked teeth, and damaged fillings.

What Can a Dentist Do for a Toothache?

A dentist will first perform an examination and ask about your symptoms. He/she may also take a dental X-ray to find out whether there are any issues going on beneath the gums. The dentist will then recommend a suitable treatment depending on the severity of your situation.

Here are the 3 most common dentist-prescribed treatments for toothaches:

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Treating Tooth Pain Is One Of Our Specialties

Everyone wants to live a life free of tooth troubles. As dentists, we don’t stand in the way of that dream – we want to help make it a reality for all of our patients! Tooth pain is one of the dental troubles that many people try to ignore. It’s much better to consult a professional and address the source of the pain than to try and “tough it out.”

The Potential Causes Of Tooth Pain

Ordinary tooth decay is at the root of most tooth pain. Cavities, abscesses, bacterial infections, or damage to dental fillings can all cause long-term tooth pain. Signs of serious trouble include long-term pain, (lasting more than a day or two) fever, headache, difficulty opening the jaws, (including an increase in the intensity of other symptoms when the mouth is opened wide) and persistent foul tastes.

Because most of the different causes of chronic tooth pain are significant and can get worse if left untreated, it’s important to contact a dentist when experiencing the symptoms listed above. Immediate treatment is the easiest way to alleviate pain and prevent more serious dental trouble.

The Importance Of Professional Care For Toothaches

Depending on the root cause of tooth pain, dentists can take several different steps to provide effective treatment. First, we’ll perform a comprehensive physical exam to identify the source of the problem. X-rays may or may not be necessary. Damaged fillings will be repaired. If a cavity is to blame, a new filling will be installed. Antibiotics are prescribed to deal with bacterial infections of the teeth or gums. In certain cases, we can even use cold laser treatment to direct alleviate pain and swelling.

As dentists, we see patients who delay too much before calling us all too often. Don’t be one of these unfortunates! Get in touch with us as soon as you experience persistent tooth pain. We can find out what your problem is and fix it fast.