While the vast majority of tooth infections will go away on their own, sometimes it takes a little extra help to get rid of them once and for all. And in some cases, if you don’t treat an infection quickly enough, you can suffer from severe consequences such as an abscess, osteomyelitis (bone infection), sepsis, meningitis or even death! Read on to learn more about how long until a tooth infection kills you – and how you can avoid it!
Tooth decay
Most tooth decay occurs due to bacteria present in plaque. This bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, produces an acid that breaks down teeth. The longer plaque stays on your teeth, and the more often you are exposed to it (i.e., when eating or drinking), then greater are your chances of developing cavities—and possibly gum disease or other infections. When left untreated for long periods of time, tooth decay can lead to more serious health problems such as bone infection and death. Keep up with regular dental visits and brush/floss twice daily for best results!
Gum disease
How long until a tooth infection kills you, you ask? It all depends on how severe your case of gum disease is. For example, if you have an untreated abscess in your mouth and it reaches one of your vital organs—such as your heart or brain—you could be in serious trouble. But if you have gum disease that’s more superficial, like gingivitis, it may take months for something worse to happen. That said, allowing anything to fester and linger in your mouth for too long can lead to devastating consequences that are impossible to undo. Get help now if you think you might have an infection!
Pus, blood, & swelling
When you leave an infection untreated, pus and blood can build up behind your gums. In some cases, an abscess may develop. You’ll feel pain and tenderness around your tooth, along with swelling in your face or neck. You might also see increased saliva in your mouth or even have trouble opening it completely because of swelling. If you don’t get treatment for a severe tooth infection, you could risk serious complications—including losing teeth or having to have surgery to remove part of your jawbone.Some bacteria associated with periodontal disease (gum disease) can enter your bloodstream, causing sepsis—life-threatening inflammation that affects your entire body.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take at home to ease periodontal symptoms until you get professional care. Start by rinsing twice daily using a cool-water rinse if necessary to help control gum swelling and bleeding. Gargle salt water or use over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) if discomfort is extreme; however, avoid aspirin unless specifically directed by a dentist or doctor due to its association with Reye’s syndrome in children under 18 years old who are sick with flu-like symptoms such as fever.
Sinus/ear infections
Sinus and ear infections can cause fever, swollen face, puffy eyes, and an excruciating toothache. These are usually treatable with antibiotics; however, if left untreated for too long, sinus or ear infections can spread to your brain and become life-threatening. Your bone marrow will eventually stop producing red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets—and your organs will shut down one by one until you die. It’s important to take care of both of these infections immediately. Most doctors recommend oral antibiotic treatment twice daily for ten days, so make sure you have plenty of time in your schedule before going in! If needed, switch it up with ibuprofen or acetaminophen as well: these can help reduce inflammation caused by a tooth infection. By following doctor’s orders and taking care of yourself, there should be no reason why a simple infection should end up killing you.
Abscessed tooth
A tooth abscess, also known as pulpitis, is an infection of a tooth’s innermost layer (the pulp). As with other infections in your body, bacteria enter through cuts or cracks in your teeth and cause swelling and pressure. Symptoms include: pain on chewing or biting, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and tenderness when you touch or press on a tooth. Common causes are cracked or chipped teeth that create tiny openings for bacteria to get inside. Antibiotics are typically used to treat an abscessed tooth; however it’s important to note that antibiotics alone won’t kill off all of germs. It takes two to four weeks for infected tissue to be replaced by healthy tissue. While waiting for treatment, patients should not eat hard foods since they can damage an open wound inside their mouth. Painkillers such as Tylenol may help manage aches until your condition improves.
Left untreated, pus from an abscessed tooth could spread throughout your mouth or elsewhere in your body. This happens most often if pus drains into another area like your nose or throat. Left unchecked, these infections can lead to hospitalization or even death within days if tissue begins dying from lack of blood flow. Once treated properly—for example by removing and cleaning out any dead flesh—your chances of further complications drop dramatically. To avoid getting an abscess in the first place, floss at least once daily and brush twice daily with fluoride-containing toothpaste.
Brain abscesses
A brain abscess refers to pus forming within your brain tissue. Brain abscesses are relatively rare, but they can be very serious; left untreated, they can cause severe disability or death. A small number of brain abscesses are caused by strep throat or an ear infection, but most occur in people with compromised immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, diabetes, intravenous drug use or other factors. Brain abscesses often require hospitalization and may need surgery to remove part of your skull to drain the infection. Antibiotics and steroids may also be used to treat brain abscesses. Most patients recover fully following treatment.
In some cases, however, complications arise months or years after a brain abscess has been treated. Your surgeon may be able to help you identify any risks and work with you to minimize them. For example, if you’re on immunosuppressant medications such as prednisone or azathioprine (Imuran), your doctor will likely follow up with you regularly to monitor for infections that could develop when normal immune function is impair. Immunosuppressants also increase risk for certain cancers — like melanoma — so it’s important that doctors monitor these medications closely during regular visits for any potential side effects.
Death from an untreated tooth infection
Unfortunately, if an infecte tooth isn’t treat promptly and adequately, it can spread throughout your body and become life-threatening. The bacteria that cause tooth infections are highly contagious and easily spread to other parts of your mouth or jaw. Eventually, they can enter your bloodstream, causing systemic infection. This typically happens within three to seven days after you first experience pain or swelling in your gums. Without prompt treatment—in some cases, antibiotics—the infection can spread to all parts of your body and potentially become fatal within one week if left untreated.
So it’s crucial that you see a dentist immediately if you suspect you have an abscessed tooth or any kind of dental infection. An X-ray will allow your dentist to pinpoint where exactly in your mouth or jaw bone the infection lies, so he or she can begin treating it accordingly. In most cases, oral surgery is require to remove severely damage tissue and clean out pockets around badly decay teeth so they no longer harbor harmful bacteria that can into other parts of your body. Root canal therapy may also be recommend if there’s significant damage to nerves and pulp surrounding a tooth’s root structure; otherwise, additional surgery required later on to remove it completely.
