Can Tooth Decay Cause Health Problems?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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While pain is the most common problem caused by tooth decay, it can also predispose you to a range of other health ailments . Poor oral health can impair your general health and well-being by creating or exacerbating health conditions such as heart and lung disease, stroke, or social anxiety and depression.

Can a rotten tooth 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.

What kind of health problems can bad teeth cause?

  • Respiratory Infections. If you have infected or inflamed gums that bacteria can transfer into the lungs. ...
  • Dementia. ...
  • Cardiovascular Disease. ...
  • Prostate Problems. ...
  • Diabetes. ...
  • Infertility. ...
  • Cancer. ...
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Can a tooth infection affect your whole body?

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 .

Which tooth is connected to the heart?

Heart – Upper and lower third molars (wisdom teeth)

How does tooth decay affect your heart?

Poor dental health increases the risk of a bacterial infection in the blood stream, which can affect the heart valves . Oral health may be particularly important if you have artificial heart valves. Tooth loss patterns are connected to coronary artery disease.

Can a tooth infection affect your brain?

There are 3 main ways a brain abscess can develop. These are: an infection in another part of the skull – such as an ear infection, sinusitis or dental abscess, which can spread directly into the brain .

How do you know if a tooth infection has spread to your brain?

The tooth infection spread to brain symptoms are more or less similar to the symptoms you see when the infection has spread to the body, but brain abscesses also have some other telltale clues: Confusion or irritability . Issues with nerve function, like muscle weakness or even paralysis. Seizures.

What happens if a broken tooth goes untreated?

An untreated cracked tooth can lead to tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, and ultimately tooth loss . If you’ve cracked a tooth, it’s important to make an appointment to see Dr. Walkington as soon as you can so that it can be evaluated and treated if necessary. A cracked tooth can vary in its severity.

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

Fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, focal neurological deficit, altered mentation, altered speech, lethargy, papillary edema, neck stiffness, and increased intracranial pressure or seizures are common clinical presentations of a brain abscess.

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.

Can an infected tooth affect your heart?

The infection and inflammation may lead to the death of cardiac tissue, which, in turn, can cause a fatal heart attack . If tooth decay is left untreated, it can not only be a pain but can also kill a person, especially those who already have pre-existing conditions or a history of heart ailments.

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 .

Does tooth extraction affect brain?

It’s a very common myth that tooth extraction may effect brain and eyes or a person’s hearing. It does not . You need to understand that the blood and nerve supply of the teeth is very different from that of eyes or brain. There will be no side effects to brain or eyes or ears after extraction.

Are teeth connected to organs?

Each tooth in the human mouth is related by a meridian to an organ in the body . When an organ or system becomes diseased or infected, the associated tooth most likely will express some type of symptom as well.

When can a tooth not be saved?

Severe Tooth Infection Is Irreversible

We cannot save a tooth because this type of infection is different. The tissue in your tooth (dental pulp) is infected and inflamed. Antibiotics cannot adequately reach the tissue and clear the problem. The tissue will not heal.

Can a rotten tooth cause headaches?

What many don’t realize is that a bad cavity can cause additional problems and become a pretty big deal if left untreated, including recurring headaches . When a tooth gets inflamed, the nerve endings may cause the pain from the tooth to spread to other areas of the head.

Which tooth is connected to the kidneys?

Tooth #7 , for example, is your second incisor, or the one to the left of your very front tooth. This particular tooth is connected to your kidneys, bladder, and urogenital system as well as your sinuses, lower extremities, and joints around your foot and knees.

How do I know if my tooth infection is serious?

  1. painful tongue and mouth.
  2. swelling of the face, neck, and cheeks.
  3. itching or burning sensation on the skin.
  4. nausea.
  5. vomiting.
  6. fever.
  7. severe headache.
  8. double vision or loss of vision.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.