Can Infected Teeth Cause Health Problems?

The bottom line.

It’s possible for a tooth infection to lead to serious or potentially life-threatening complications

. Some examples include sepsis, Ludwig’s angina, and cavernous sinus thrombosis. If a tooth infection goes untreated, it can spread to other areas of the body over a period of weeks or months.

What can happen if a tooth infection is left untreated?

An untreated tooth infection

can eventually lead to bacteria in the bloodstream, sometimes called blood poisoning, also known as bacteremia or septicemia

. If left untreated, septicemia can cause a severe whole-body infection called sepsis, which can be life-threatening.

What are the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading to the body?

• Nausea and vomiting.
• High fever.
• Confusion.
• Shortness of breath.
• Drooping eyelids.
• Pain in the tongue or mouth.
• Swelling in the face or cheeks.
• Severe, persistent headache.

What kind of health problems can your teeth cause?

• Cardiovascular Disease. Having poor oral health puts a person at risk for heart disease. …
• Dementia. Poor oral health can affect the brain. …
• Respiratory Infections. …
• Diabetes. …
• Pregnancy Complications. …
• Infertility. …
• Erectile Dysfunction. …
• Cancer.

Can rotten teeth make you sick?

Poisoning in the bloodstream

Although not an immediate consequence, dentists strongly advise that

letting rotten teeth go unattended can lead to blood poisoning

. This happens because the rot from the teeth keeps getting deposited into the mouth, and in most cases, it’s swallowed along with saliva.

Can a tooth infection lower your immune system?

Your oral health affects your overall health

Bacteria from your mouth do not normally enter your bloodstream. But

if you allow the bacteria to remain in your mouth unchecked, it can lead to gum disease and inflammation, causing your immune system to weaken and ignore other parts of your body

.

How long can you have a tooth infection before it kills you?

A tooth infection can cause death in

several months

. It first forms into a dental abscess if not treated promptly. Once an abscess has developed, you may experience severe tooth pain and swelling. In a few weeks or months, the infection may spread to other tissues.

Which tooth is connected to the heart?

Heart –

Upper and lower third molars (wisdom teeth)

Can an infected tooth spread to your brain?

You are correct that

a tooth infection could grow and spread to the brain

. It can also spread down the lower jaw and interfere with breathing or reach your heart. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean your dentist is putting your life in danger.

Will the dentist pull an infected tooth?

If the affected tooth can’t be saved,

your dentist will pull (extract) the tooth and drain the abscess to get rid of the infection

. Prescribe antibiotics. If the infection is limited to the abscessed area, you may not need antibiotics.

Can an untreated tooth infection cause sepsis?

It occurs when a bacterial infection runs through the blood, and our body fights it with body-wide inflammation.

If a tooth abscess is left untreated, the bacteria can trigger a chain reaction from tissue damage to organ failure leading to septic shock or sepsis.

How do I know if my tooth infection has spread to my jaw?

1. Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache that can radiate to the jawbone, neck or ear.
2. Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
3. Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting.
4. Fever.
5. Swelling in your face or cheek.
6. Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck.

Can rotten teeth affect your brain?

Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to serious health problems, including brain or heart infections

.

Can infected tooth cause sepsis?

When an infection occurs, bacteria can move out of the tooth to the bone or tissue below, forming a dental abscess.

A dental infection can lead to sepsis

. Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body’s often deadly response to infection.

Can a tooth infection cause autoimmune disease?

Conclusion.

Dental focus of occult infection may be a prime cause/trigger of autoimmune disorders and inflammatory disorders

, requiring surgical intervention to remove.

How oral health affects the rest of you?

These include head and neck cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and an immune system disorder known as Sjogren’s syndrome. Oral health involves more than just preventing bad breath. Maintaining a healthy mouth also

prevents tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss associated with aging

.

Is periodontal disease autoimmune?

Periodontitis is considered an autoimmune disease

because your body’s immune system is attacking your own tissues due to the ongoing chronic inflammation.

Can tooth infection spread to lungs?

An abscessed tooth can also cause a face and jaw infection which can restrict airways. Like in the case of Anatoliyevich,

infection can spread to the lungs

. The bacteria that cause diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia often come from the oral cavity.

Are tooth nerves connected to the brain?

Teeth connect with other organs in the body via nerves which aid in sensory reception and proprioception. Specifically,

teeth have a correlation with parts of the brain

.

Can a tooth infection make you dizzy?

Signs of an infected tooth

Symptoms also include bad breath, unpleasant taste, and pus which indicates infection in the tissue.

In rare cases, the infection can present with serious symptoms like fever, vomiting, difficulty breathing, nausea, and dizziness or vertigo

.

Can tooth infection cause heart palpitations?

Gum disease does not directly cause palpitations

, but it increases the risk of heart disease, which is a trigger. The bacteria present in gingivae can spread to the surrounding tissues and the bloodstream, causing inflammation.