Most cases a dental abscess is an infection at the base of a tooth. It means a pocket of fluid (pus) has formed at the tip of a tooth root in your jawbone. If the infection isn’t treated, more serious infections may spread to the face (
facial cellulitis
). This makes your face swell.
Can a tooth abscess spread to the cheek?
In an abscess,
bacteria from the tooth can extend into the gums, the cheek
, the throat, the tissues beneath the tongue, or even into the jaw or facial bones. A dental abscess can become very painful when tissues become inflamed or due to the pressure within the abscess.
Can a tooth infection spread to your face?
If a
tooth infection is left untreated, it can spread to your face and/or neck
. Severe infections can move to even more distant parts of your body. In rare cases, the infection may become systemic, which can affect multiple tissues throughout the body.
Can a tooth infection cause cheek pain?
Swelling in your face or cheek. Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck. Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief, if the abscess ruptures. Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
What are the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading?
- fever.
- swelling.
- dehydration.
- increased heart rate.
- increased breathing rate.
- stomach pain.
How common is death from tooth abscess?
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Endodontics looked at 61,000 hospitalizations for abscesses between 2000 and 2008, and found that 66 of those patients – or
roughly one in 1,000
– died from the infection.
Can a bad tooth cause facial swelling?
Most cases a dental abscess is an infection at the base of a tooth. It means a pocket of fluid (pus) has formed at the tip of a tooth root in your jawbone. If the infection isn’t treated, more
serious infections
may spread to the face (facial cellulitis). This makes your face swell.
Can dental problems cause facial pain?
Pain in the face can come
up due to a facial injury
, an infection, or issues with nerves in a tooth. Let’s look at three sources of facial pain you won’t want to ignore: #1 Dental Abscess: A dental abscess can form after bacteria reach the nerves and blood vessels inside of a damaged tooth.
What are the five signs of infection?
- Fever (this is sometimes the only sign of an infection).
- Chills and sweats.
- Change in cough or a new cough.
- Sore throat or new mouth sore.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nasal congestion.
- Stiff neck.
- Burning or pain with urination.
Is a tooth abscess an emergency?
Tooth abscess is absolutely a dental emergency
. If you have a tooth abscess, you need to seek treatment immediately. Left untreated, abscess can lead to infection that spreads through the body causing serious and even life-threatening effects. The sooner these issues are treated the better!
How long does a tooth infection last?
What is the best antibiotic to treat a tooth infection? You’ll likely take antibiotics for
7 to 10 days
to get rid of your tooth infection, and dentists have a few options for which antibiotics they might prescribe.
How long can an abscess go untreated?
If left untreated, the abscess may spread to your brain or spinal cord. The abscess is large, hasn’t healed within
two weeks
, and you also have a fever. The abscess appears to be spreading to other parts of your body. The abscess is becoming more painful or is throbbing.
How long can you go with a tooth infection?
Antibiotics normally are effective in controlling the abscess; most of the symptoms will be alleviated within two days, and the abscess typically will heal after
five days
of antibiotic treatment. If the infection is limited to the abscessed area, antibiotics may not be necessary.
What kills tooth infection?
Your dentist will want to choose an antibiotic that can effectively eliminate your infection.
Antibiotics of the penicillin class, such as penicillin and amoxicillin
, are most commonly used to help treat tooth infections. An antibiotic called metronidazole may be given for some types of bacterial infections.
Will a tooth abscess go away with antibiotics?
When you are suffering from a tooth infection, you may want an easy solution, such as a course of antibiotics. However,
antibiotics won’t cure your tooth infection
. Oral bacterial infections cause abscesses, which are small pockets of pus and dead tissue in the mouth.
What happens if you leave a tooth abscess untreated?
Left untreated, the
infection can spread to the neck, head, and other regions of the body
. In some cases, the bacteria can travel toward to heart, and settle in the heart lining, a heart valve, or a blood vessel; this can lead to a condition known as Bacterial Endocarditis.
