How Can Bad Infected Teeth Affect Your Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Having an untreated tooth infection can actually increase your risk for heart disease by nearly three times . The same way the inflammation can cause issues with the blood vessels leading to your heart, it can also cause issues with the blood pathways to your brain, leading to a stroke.

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.

Can infected gums make you sick?

You may have a hard time moving or opening your mouth as a result of the pain and swelling. You have a general feeling of unwellness. If the infection is severe, it can cause you to feel unwell and even develop a fever .

Which tooth is connected to the heart?

Heart – Upper and lower third molars (wisdom teeth)

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.

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.

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.

Can rotten teeth 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.

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 an infected tooth 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 .

What happens if you leave a tooth infection 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.

Can an infected tooth cause fatigue?

The pain may also travel up your jawbone and into your ear. You may also notice that you start to feel fatigued like you are about to come down with something . In some cases, you may have bouts of dizziness as the pain and infection interfere with the workings of your inner ear.

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 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 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.

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

The symptoms of a brain abscess may develop quickly or slowly but can include: headache – which is often severe, located in a single section of the head and cannot be relieved with painkillers . changes in mental state – such as confusion or irritability .

Can a tooth infection cause a stroke?

Dental Problems Associated With Stroke

Sometimes inflammation and infection can make the blood more likely to clot, causing a stroke . If serious dental problems persist untreated for a long time, the inflammation and infection that result from unhealthy teeth and gums can make an ischemic stroke more likely.

Can a tooth infection cause shortness of breath?

Nonetheless, bacteria that originate in a dental abscess can also be at fault in mediastinitis. It is a serious and life-threatening condition. A delay in diagnosis or treatment can cause death. If you have this condition, you may notice chest pain or shortness of breath.

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 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.

What diseases affect your teeth?

  • Cavities. Cavities are also called caries or tooth decay. ...
  • Gum disease (gingivitis) Gum disease, also called gingivitis, is inflammation of the gums. ...
  • Periodontitis. ...
  • Cracked or broken teeth. ...
  • Sensitive teeth. ...
  • Oral cancer.

Can an infected tooth raise your blood pressure?

Study Highlights:

Periodontal disease — a condition marked by gum infection, gum inflammation and tooth damage — appears to worsen blood pressure and interferes with hypertension treatment.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.