How Long Until a Tooth Infection Kills You?

A dentist checking a patient for signs of teeth infection.

Cavities are more rampant than people care to admit and when one is neglected it has serious implications. Being aware of how we as humans may progress from having a tooth infection to a condition that threatens our lives, it’s important in the first place to act accordingly to avoid complications.

What Is a Tooth Infection?

Dental abscess or tooth infection occurs when microbes get to the pulp of the tooth to form pus.This infection can extend to adjacent tissues and hence cause edema and painful conditions and so on. If the symptoms are not being treated, the infection tends to progress to the following stages.

Signs and Symptoms of a Tooth Infection

Symptoms of tooth infections are often simple such as sensitivity to biting and pressure, gum inflammation, pain. You may develop fever, have a bad taste in your mouth and swollen glands in the future. Life threatening signs include difficulty in breathing or in swallowing and action of this nature should be taken immediately.

How a Tooth Infection Can Progress

If left untreated, the infection begins to extend to other parts of the body such as the jaw, neck and crucial organs. It becomes possible to have conditions like Ludwig’s angina and sepsis hence a critical consideration to be made is the ability of bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

The Timeline of an Untreated Tooth Infection

The progression of dental infection depends on the general health of the patient and the strength of his/her immune system. Mild cases may take weeks to subside, while serious ones may become worse within days. Presumably, in cases where no treatment had been inaugurated, the spores have been deadly with a one-week life expectancy.

Factors That Affect Infection Severity

There are illumining factors to the level and rate of infection severity observed during an epidemic. Some are the location of the infected tooth, the general health of the individual, and whether the infection has to be taken early enough. Because this condition is critical and life threatening, it is advisable that prevention starts as early as possible.

Treatment Options for Tooth Infections

Tooth infections are primarily treated using antibiotics, dental drainage and root canal therapy. Your dentist may also advise you to have the tooth removed if the damage done is severe. Failure to seek proper treatment at the right time puts your health at great danger.

Why Ignoring a Tooth Infection Is Dangerous

Failure to address a tooth infection may result in life threatening situations such as swelling on the face, breathing complications as well as the development of an organ failure. After the infection has occurred it becomes so much difficult to eliminate and there are high chances of the patient suffering from severe effects up to death.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

A healthy dental habits, routine dental exam and early management of dental problems offers protection against tooth infections. If cavities and gum disease are treated early, they prevent the formation and occurrence of an abscess.

Conclusion

If a tooth has infection then one should not take this lightly. The time taken before fatal complications sets in differs, however, the infections are likely to become fatal if left untreated. Don’t assume that any oral problem is minor and will go away with time since getting dental care at the earliest sign of the infection is important for avoiding serious effects on your health.

FAQs

1. How soon is too soon for a tooth infection to enter the bloodstream?

The last stage can develop within a few days in those severe tooth infections that have spread to the bloodstream.

2. Can you die of a tooth infection?

Indeed, if not treated, tooth infection results in other diseases such as sepsis which are fatal.

3. How am I to tell that my tooth infection is severe?

Severe signs of an infection are when the child has a high fever, their face swells up or they are unable to speak properly or breathe properly.

4. What if you have a prior idea that may have a tooth infection, what steps would you have to take?

You need to see your dentist as soon as you can in order that further development of the infection is stopped immediately.

5. Are Tooth infections preventable?

Yes, proper care of the mouth, and taking care of any dental diseases can prevent infection.

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