How Can An Abscessed Tooth Affect Your Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If the bacterial infection from an infected tooth spreads to the blood, it can cause a medical condition known as sepsis . Sepsis is a blood infection that can occur when the immune system is weak, for example, hospital patients are susceptible to sepsis. In addition, young children and seniors are also prone to sepsis.

Can an abscess tooth cause health problems?

If the abscess ruptures, the pain may decrease significantly — but you still need dental treatment. If the abscess doesn’t drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck. You might even develop sepsis — a life-threatening infection that spreads throughout your body .

What are the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading?

  • Feeling Unwell. The first thing you may notice is that you start to feel unwell. ...
  • Fever. Fever is your body’s natural defense against infection. ...
  • Swelling. ...
  • Increased Heart and Breathing Rate. ...
  • Dehydration and Stomach Pain.

Can an abscess affect your health?

Untreated abscess can also lead to something called sepsis, which is a complication of an infection that, in essence, poisons the bloodstream . (So the answer to “can an abscessed tooth cause sepsis” is a clear “Yes!”) In these more serious cases, you will need to go to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Which tooth is connected to the heart?

Heart – Upper and lower third molars (wisdom teeth)

Can 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 .

What diseases can tooth infection cause?

Increased Risk for Heart Disease, Heart Attack, and Stroke

The same happens with severe inflammation in an affected tooth. The risk of heart problems increases when an infection is symptomless or the patient ignores the indicators and fails to receive prompt treatment.

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.

How long does it take to get sepsis from tooth infection?

To summarize: It can potentially take several months for a dental abscess to develop. Once an abscess has formed, noticeable pain and swelling around the affected tooth usually occur. If left untreated, it may take a few more weeks or months for the infection to spread to other tissues and cause complications.

Can tooth infection spread to heart?

As such, bacterial infections associated with poor oral health, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, can also spread to the heart . The toxic bacteria can enter the bloodstream and can end up in the heart where they can then cause deadly endocarditis.

How long can an abscess go untreated?

In conclusion, the maximum period that an untreated tooth abscess can sustain is 12 months or more . But, such longevity is associated with dangerous complications such as sepsis or even death. Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

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 abscess make you tired?

One side effect from having a dental abscess, in fact having any infection, is that it can cause a person to feel chronically tired .

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.

Can a tooth abscess cause headaches?

While most common signs of a tooth abscess include gum tenderness, a sore jaw, swelling, or throbbing pain, other complications may be experienced, including vertigo and headache .

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 you have an abscessed tooth for years?

The Danger of Untreated Infected Teeth and Gums

An infection in your body is considered a threat. If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years . There are two types of dental abscess – one can form under the tooth (periapical) and the other in the supporting gum and bone (periodontal).

Can an abscess 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.

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 a tooth infection cause headaches and dizziness?

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 abscess affect sinuses?

A tooth abscess may cause a sinus infection , as can almost any type of bacterial infection in your upper teeth. In fact, there’s a name for this type of sinus problem: maxillary sinusitis of endodontic origin. The maxillary sinus is located behind the cheekbones close to the roots of the upper back teeth.

What happens if a tooth abscess bursts?

It happens if the abscess bursts and releases pus and bacterial fluid into the mouth. It can lead to an odor inside the mouth and leave a bad taste . Patients can also feel feverish, and may even find it challenging to breathe if the infection causes swollen lymph nodes.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.