Teeth infections can be a real pain, pun intended. Luckily, catching them early can make a big difference. That’s why it’s essential to know all about tooth infection symptoms to help you stay on top of your dental health and avoid any unnecessary trouble. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to know if a tooth is infected.
What Can Lead to a Tooth Infection?
Almost every tooth infection starts with decay, where the enamel starts to wear off damaged by plaque, that sticky bacterial film on the teeth. Bacteria in plaque feed off the sugary drinks and foods we consume, which creates harmful acids that result in dental cavities. The damage of tooth enamel doesn’t have to be just from cavities, though – cracks and chips can also lead to an infection if left untreated.
What Is a Tooth Abscess?
A tooth abscess is a form of infection that develops from a cavity infection. It’s a pocket in the teeth or gums that’s filled with pus. If it’s visible, it looks like a red, swollen bump on the side of your gums, pretty similar to a pimple. At this point, a professional dental appointment is the only way you can resolve the problem.
Depending on their formation and placement, there are three main types of tooth abscesses:
- Periapical abscess – the infection has spread to the pulp, the innermost part of the tooth that’s made of nerves and blood vessels,
- Gingival abscess – develops in the gums, most of the time not affecting the tooth itself or its surrounding structures,
- Periodontal abscess – develops in the tissues of the gums and is much more common in adults.
What Are the Most Common Tooth Infection Symptoms?
A tooth infection can be visible to the naked eye, but that’s not always the case. It starts small and gradually becomes more serious, and the symptoms between an infection and an abscess are pretty similar. Here are some symptoms you might be experiencing:
- Throbbing toothache that travels to your ear, neck, or jawbone,
- Teeth discomfort that gets worse once you lie down,
- Swelling or redness inside or outside of the mouth,
- Extreme tooth sensitivity, especially with super hot or ice-cold beverages and meals,
- Having a difficult time chewing food or opening your mouth in general,
- The lymph nodes getting tender or swollen,
- Having a bad, bitter taste in your mouth,
- Dealing with foul breath, a condition known as halitosis,
- Having a fever or generally feeling weak and lethargic.
What Are the Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Body?
A tooth abscess can rupture, and this floods your mouth with metallic-tasting pus. It also provides instant relief, so it can easily mislead you into thinking that it’s no longer a concern. However, a ruptured abscess can be actually one of the first symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body.
This happens only when the problem is ignored for far too long. If you’ve made a dentist appointment as soon as you’ve noticed the first telltale signs, you’ve got nothing to worry about. But if you are wondering how this spread might look and feel, pay close attention to the following symptoms:
- A feeling of fatigue in general,
- Swelling in the face that’s both noticeable and uncomfortable,
- Dizziness,
- High fever or chills,
- Vomiting or diarrhea.
What Are the Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Brain?
What about tooth infection spread to brain symptoms? You might experience constant headaches, nausea, fever, and even seizures – any of these conditions require immediate attention. As for the symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the heart, they include everything we’ve discussed so far, as well as an increase in heart rate.
What Are the Treatment Options?
If you’ve been overwhelmed by our discussion above, there’s good news – there are numerous treatment options. To make our overview of symptoms comprehensive, we’ve had to go over everything, including the worst-case scenarios. In most situations, your Charlotte dentist in SouthPark can easily solve the problem by:
- Draining the abscess – the traditional route involves creating a small incision and draining the abscess, while advanced laser dentistry offers a completely non-invasive treatment,
- Performing a root canal treatment – removing the infected pulp from inside the tooth and placing a dental crown to fully protect the root canal,
- Extracting the tooth – if there’s no other option, the tooth might need to be extracted, which can luckily also be done with the assistance of laser therapy for a completely comfortable experience.
Contact Aspire Dental Wellness – We’re Here to Help Solve the Problem
Knowing the symptoms behind tooth infection can save you from a lot of trouble, but doing something about it is what truly counts. So, if you notice any of these telltale signs, don’t wait to get it checked out by your dentist in Charlotte, NC. With just one look at your oral health and a bit of discussion, they’ll be able to tell you exactly what’s going on.
The team at Aspire Dental Wellness, led by Dr. Sladjana Bjelac, delivers not only expert care but also does it with your overall well-being in mind. Our commitment to the practice of holistic dentistry ensures we’ll take the whole body into the equation, not just your smile. Moreover, with our relaxing amenities and state-of-the-art laser technology, the treatment will be both effective and comfortable. Contact us today – we’re here to save the day and your smile as well!
