Bacteria need a chance to invade our body, and they would love to reside in any part of our body, be it the hard tooth. Bacteria or other organisms usually infect the roots of a tooth, the gums, or the bone beneath. However, when a tooth is healthy, bacteria couldn’t pass through the formidable enamel barrier to infect the roots or the pulp. Therefore, you can only have a tooth infection through a chipped surface or cavities.
After the infection, pus and blood start to collect in a “periodontal pocket”. Such collection is termed as a dental abscess. With a dental infection comes varying symptoms to look out for.
Symptoms Following A Dental Infection:
- You will experience an intense throbbing pain near the affected teeth. The pain only gets worse over time, and it also spreads into the jaw and towards the ear.
- The pain intensity shoots when you lie down.
- Higher teeth sensitivity to hot, cold, and to the pressure of chewing and biting.
- Partial swelling in your face and cheeks.
- Tender and swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or neck.
- Foul taste and bad breath.
- In severe cases of infection, fever can also kick in.
Which Habits Increase The Risk Of A Dental Infection:
- Poor brushing habits, or using a toothpaste without fluoride. Such practice increases the probability of cavities that act as a passageway for bacterial infection.
- A diet high in sugar along with a poor brushing habit also increases the occurrence of cavities.
- Not flossing allows for a plaque buildup and can push back gums. Therefore, receding gums can open up a spot for bacterial invasion.
- In addition, a chipped tooth or a cracked dental filling that has not been repaired timely can increase the risk of infection.
When to visit a dentist:
You should tread lightly when you encounter the above symptoms. The condition can worsen if you decide to ignore the situation. Sometimes, the infection can spread to the body, and you will experience the following symptoms:
- High fever around 102 – 103 F or higher.
- Increased face swelling.
- Difficulty in breathing and eating.
- Chest pain.
- Higher pulse rate.
- Confusion.
An infection that has spread within the body is a bad omen. Hence, you should act in time and always visit a professional dentist like Angleton Family Dental. Until the day of your appointment arrives, you can always rely on painkillers to help you with the throbbing pain.
Conclusion:
The competition is tough in the world of microorganisms, so they won’t miss a chance to invade your body. Hence, you should not lose your grip on excellent oral hygiene. However, in case you ever encounter the above symptoms contact us immediately. The earlier you contact us, the better because we can quickly stop the infection on its track without much damage. However, on the other hand, a severe illness requires equally harsh treatments, such as root canal or tooth extraction. Feel free to contact us at 979-308-4450 for further inquiries.
