Can You Die From a Tooth Infection?

For many, a tooth infection may not sound important. After all, what harm could it do? You might have to deal with a few minor symptoms, but it surely won’t have any significant effects. You’re probably fine putting off treatment, right? Not quite. Left on its own, a tooth infection could develop into something life-threatening — read onward to learn why that’s the case.

Tooth Infection Signs

Before anything else, try to find out whether you really have a tooth infection. Possible symptoms for one include the following:

• Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache
• Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Tooth soreness in response to chewing or biting
• Fever
• Facial or cheek swelling
• Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or in your neck
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

If you have several of these symptoms at once, contact your dentist about treatment options as soon as possible. Otherwise, you risk the development of further complications.

You Could Really Die From a Tooth Infection?

Given enough time, you could. However, it would be the result of the infection causing other illnesses and health issues.

For instance, the infection can result in a dental abscess. The abscess could then lead to sepsis, a condition in which the body begins damaging its tissue. According to the National Institutes of Health, a person with sepsis is five times more likely to die than someone who has a heart attack or stroke.

On the other hand, the infection might inflame your cardiac tissue and trigger a fatal heart attack. That said, you should pay extra attention to how your teeth and jaw feel if you have a history of heart issues.

An infected tooth often leads to gum disease as well, elevating a person’s blood sugar to the point of causing diabetes.

How to Prevent Tooth Infections

Dentists have several methods for treating tooth infections, including antibiotics, tooth extraction, root canal therapy, and more. Still, you’d be better off preventing them from happening in the first place.

The best way to do that is by practicing proper oral care. To that end, remember to brush your teeth twice daily and floss once daily. If necessary, feel free to rinse with mouthwash after your meals. Plus, visit your dentist at least twice a year for annual checkups and other treatments.

An infected tooth can cause enormous problems down the road, even if it starts small. Don’t wait around — see your dentist immediately so your smile can get much-needed healing.

About the Practice

Harris Parkway Dental Care offers excellent and passionate dental services for Fort Worth, TX and the surrounding communities. With their expert team of dental hygienists, they provide a wide collection of treatments, from dental checkups to emergency care. If you want to know more about your dental hygienist, visit our website or call us at 817-423-2223.