How to know if the infection from your tooth abscess is spreading is extremely important. This is because a tooth infection can become dangerous if left unchecked. The longer your tooth infection persists, the more likely it is to spread to your body.
More often than not, toothaches are caused due to infections that are just minor annoyances. These usually tend to fade away on their own. But if you are suffering from an infection due to a tooth abscess, it can infect the rest of the body and even become fatal.
If you wish to find out how to know if the infection from your tooth abscess is spreading to the rest of your body, it is vital to understand what a tooth abscess is.
What is Tooth Abscess?
Tooth abscesses are pockets of pus that form in different parts of your teeth due to bacterial infections. An abscessed tooth can cause severe harm to your oral tissues, causing the infection to become severe. This infection then proceeds to spread to the other parts of your body.
The abscess looks like a pimple or a red swollen bump. It can technically occur anywhere but is most likely to appear at the root of your tooth. This dental condition can cause serious health issues and does not go away on its own.
How to Know if the Infection from Your Tooth Abscess is Spreading to Your Body
If your tooth abscess has suddenly ruptured, you will likely feel a foul taste of a salty liquid in your mouth.
A burst abscess can be one of the first signs that the infection has begun to spread to other parts of your body. Once the infection enters the bloodstream, it can lead to sepsis, rendering the condition life-threatening.
There are certain ways of understanding how to know if the infection from your tooth abscess is spreading to your body. Even without a visible rupture, you can look for a few symptoms to help you detect the tooth abscess and seek medical attention.
Not Feeling Well
Feeling unwell is one of the first symptoms of a spreading infection. You know something is wrong when your annoying toothache turns into an annoying headache. The pain may also begin to travel from your jawbone into your ear. You may start feeling fatigued and may also experience spells of dizziness.
Fever
If you are looking to find out how to know if the infection from your tooth abscess is spreading to your body, then fever is another clear indication.
Fever is your body’s way of defending itself against infections. The high temperature of your body is basically an attempt to fight off the invading bacteria. But the high body temperature is not good for you either. If you are suffering from a fever that is persistently above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, this indicates that the sepsis is beginning to set. You may also experience fever and chills.
Increased Breathing & Heart Rate
Another symptom is increased heart rate and labored breathing.
Is your heart beating faster than normal? Do you feel like you have to exert more effort while trying to breathe? Both of these are signs that the infection is spreading inside your body. If you notice any of these symptoms, skip the dentist and immediately go to the emergency room.
Facial Swelling
You may experience a minimal amount of facial swelling if you are suffering from a tooth abscess. If the swelling persists, go to the emergency room and see a doctor immediately.
When facial swelling from a tooth abscess is left untreated, it can affect your breathing and swallowing capabilities. Your breathing passages may completely close off if the swelling gets worse.
Dehydration & Stomach Pain
If you are looking to find out how to know if the infection from your tooth abscess is spreading to your body, then another major sign is dehydration and stomach pain. You may find yourself not going to the bathroom too often to urinate. Even when you do, the urine is darker than usual. This is a clear indication of dehydration and a sign that the infection inside your body is getting worse.
You may also notice that you have diarrhea accompanied by stomach pain. Both these symptoms will accelerate the rate of your dehydration and cause further problems.
Other Tell-Tale Signs To Know That Your Tooth Infection is Spreading
Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, there are other signs you can look out for to know if your tooth infection is spreading.
- Tooth sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures.
- Swollen, red gums.
- Pain that worsens when you lie down.
- Loose teeth.
- Discolored teeth.
- Bad breath.
- Pain when chewing or biting
Get Immediate Treatment for Your Tooth Abscess at Osseo Family Dental
Tooth infections resulting from tooth abscesses can become serious health problems if you delay your visit to the emergency dentist. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups is vital for detecting such problems early on and preventing future issues.
Osseo Family Dental aims to provide efficient dental care and transform lives with compassionate yet professional methods. Our team is firmly committed to making you feel cared for with their friendly and customized personal service.
Our clinic also specializes in pediatric dentistry, general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and endodontics. All in all, you can find everything your family needs for dental care under one roof at Osseo Family Dental.
You can request an appointment online by sending us your details or emailing us at info@osseofamilydental.com. Visit us to see the difference good dental health can make.
Osseo Dental – Where good dental care never takes a pause.