How long until a tooth infection kills you? A tooth infection can be extremely painful, but how long does it take to kill you? While the bacteria that cause tooth infections do not usually make their way into your bloodstream, a severe infection can result in death if not properly treated. The infection usually starts with tooth decay and can become an abscess (a pocket of pus) or periapical periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the root of the tooth). Both can be very serious and may require emergency care. Here’s what you need to know about when can a tooth infection kill you.
What Is Necrotizing Fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis is a type of tissue death caused by the body’s immune system that happens deep in the muscles, skin, and other tissue. The bacteria that cause necrotizing fasciitis are known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS). GAS lives on surfaces and in throats, nasal passages, and intestinal tracts. If GAS spread to an open wound or sore it can cause infection and necrosis – which means the flesh starts to die. Left untreated this will destroy muscle fibers and tissues with toxins. The most effective treatment for necrotizing fasciitis is surgery to remove dead tissue because antibiotics can’t enter infected areas quickly enough.
What Are The Symptoms Of Necrotizing Fasciitis?
Necrotizing Fasciitis, or flesh-eating bacteria, is an infection that spreads rapidly and destroys skin tissue. Its symptoms include swelling, pain, redness, and purplish skin near the infected area. It also causes fever and chills, nausea, or vomiting. Left untreated, it can lead to organ failure or death. How Do I Know if I Have Necrotizing Fasciitis?: If you have any of these symptoms after an injury, surgery, or animal bite, see your doctor immediately.
How Do You Know If A Tooth Infection Could Be Deadly?
A tooth infection can have some serious consequences. If the tooth is left untreated, the infection could spread to other parts of your body and, eventually, cause you to die. That’s why it’s important to see your dentist if you think you have one.
A tooth infection can also lead to serious complications like a heart attack or stroke if it spreads throughout your whole body. Of course, in most cases, it doesn’t get that far because people go and get their teeth checked when they start feeling symptoms of an infection. Even though it may not seem like a big deal at first, remember that oral health plays a major role in overall health. And as we’ve mentioned before, dental problems can lead to other more serious issues down the line so prevention is key!
A tooth infection will be present from day one if there are already bacteria on the surface of your tooth enamel. In addition, cavities are always open for bacterial invasion. Here are some additional signs and symptoms of an infected tooth: • swelling • pus coming out from inside your mouth • fever • tenderness around the jaw • red gums • pain when chewing • bad breath
The Dentist’s Role In Fighting This Infection
The dentists at Arbor Pointe Dental Care help patients fight tooth infections and avoid the risks of oral infection by ensuring that teeth are healthy. At our practice, our doctors will meet with patients to assess the state of their teeth and discuss different ways to prevent, or treat, an infection. For example, if a patient is at risk for gingivitis or is experiencing persistent symptoms, we can offer treatments like scaling and root planing or bacteria-resistant sealants.
But what if you already have an oral infection? Luckily dental professionals don’t only help prevent infections- they also assist in fighting them! If you come in during your infection’s earliest stages, chances are that we will be able to provide a simple treatment such as antibiotics. However, if you wait too long, then the bacteria could become resistant to medication. In this case, we would need more drastic measures. Sometimes it might mean removing the tooth entirely; other times it might mean cutting out infected tissue from around the mouth or jawbone, or sometimes it means opening up a person’s sinuses so that there is better access to combat whatever caused the infection in the first place. Our doctors work closely with other members of our team who specialize in surgical procedures and complicated cases because no matter how early on we detect an infection, there are still many steps that must be taken before recovery can happen!
Final Word
A tooth infection can be highly dangerous if not treated correctly. It is important to see your dentist as soon as possible if you think you have one and make sure they are aware of the severity of the symptoms. The body’s immune system can start to break down if bacteria get into the bloodstream through inflammation around the teeth or gums. At this point, it is critical to get treatment immediately because it can lead to long-term problems with organ function and even an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. To prevent a tooth infection from becoming life-threatening, it is best to take precautions by brushing twice daily and flossing at least once. Be sure to drink plenty of water so that the mouth stays moist and keep the mouth clean so that food particles don’t linger in between teeth. Eating a healthy diet also helps promote healthy oral health. If you feel pain or notice redness, swelling, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and/or difficulty breathing call 9-1-1 immediately!
