Tooth infections are one of the most common dental emergencies. They are often accompanied by severe pain and discomfort. For this reason, people usually seek immediate attention to ease the pain.
However, occasionally, the afflicted person cannot visit the dentist to receive treatment as soon as the symptoms start manifesting. This could be due to work, time, or money.
Fortunately, there is a timeframe in which the tooth infection can go untreated without evolving into a serious complication. Nonetheless, visiting the dentist as soon as possible is still highly recommended.
In this article, we'll discuss how long can a tooth infection go untreated and the different treatment options.
How to Recognize a Tooth Infection?
Before making an emergency appointment with the dentist, it is essential to identify if the symptoms are caused by a tooth infection. Determining it can help the professional understand if they require immediate attention or whether they can wait for a regular dental appointment.
A tooth infection, also known as a dental abscess, usually forms when the tooth is severely damaged. This happens as the dental pulp dies and releases harmful bacteria. For this reason, it is common to find dental abscesses on teeth that have extensive cavities, fractures, or have suffered heavy trauma.
Furthermore, several symptoms are often associated with the infection, such as:
- Severe and constant pain
- Gum swelling
- Facial swelling
- Tooth loosening
- Fever
- Halitosis or bad breath
- Bumps on the gums
- Pus discharges
- Swollen lymph nodes
It is essential to understand that in severe cases, the pain can irradiate to other areas, such as the neck, ear, and cheeks. Also, facial swelling usually indicates the infection is spreading and requires immediate attention.
Can You Die from a Tooth Infection?
If neglected, a tooth infection can be fatal, although that is uncommon. An internal infection occurs when bacteria infiltrate the inner pulp of the tooth, causing a pocket of pus (an abscess) to form. If the abscess goes neglected, the bacteria can spread to other parts of your body and trigger serious infections such as sepsis, heart infections, or even brain infections.
As it was in history, dental infections were common reasons for death until antibiotics were discovered. While death from these infections is uncommon now, there is still a real risk of severe harm occurring if any treatment is postponed. Avoiding taping, and treating any dental infection without delay can control the issue and help you subsequently.
What is a Tooth Abscess?
A pus-filled pocket caused by a bacterial infection is called a tooth abscess. It commonly appears as red pumps or swollen pimples on the gums. Infected teeth undergo abscesses but if these are untreated, they can lead to surrounding bones and tissues being infected.
Types of Tooth Abscesses
- Gingival Abscess: These abscesses develop in the gums. Do not involve the tooth or bone structure.
- Periodontal Abscess: Starts in the gum and bone tissue that support the tooth, often due to gum disease.
- Periapical Abscess: Develops at the apex of the tooth root due to undiagnosed decay or a split tooth.
Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess
- Severe, throbbing toothache
- Sharp pain on chewing
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
- Swollen face or gums
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Loose tooth or bump on the gums
- Bad breath
In severe cases, you can experience:
- Fever
- Swollen Lymph Nodes in the Neck
- Difficulty in Opening Your Mouth or Swallowing
If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to receive dental care immediately.
Who Is at Risk for a Tooth Abscess?
A tooth abscess can happen to anybody, but it is more likely in certain people:
- Smoking: Weakens gums and doubles the risk of infection.
- Dry Mouth: With decreased saliva, it is easier for bacteria to form.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Neglecting to brush your teeth, floss, or attend regular dental check-ups can cause plaque buildup and tooth decay.
- Weakened Immune System: Some diseases like diabetes or chemotherapy weaken the body's resistance to infection.
What Happens if Your Tooth Abscess is Not Treated?
Failure to treat an abscessed tooth can result in the infection spreading to the nearby teeth, bones, and even the face and neck. Such a scenario can create health risks that are very severe and can lead to the loss or damage of teeth and gums. You will also suffer from discomfort while chewing or speaking.
In extreme cases, the infection can enter your circulation system and cause threatening conditions like sepsis. This infection can spread at a rapid pace based on the first severity of the infection and whether the infection is in soft or hard tissue.
How Long Can I Wait Before Going to the Dentist?
Ideally, the patient should visit the dentist as soon as possible since the infection can spread and become a life-threatening condition.
Nonetheless, there is no estimated time for it to happen. This is because every person, body, and case is different. As a result, some people could have a healthy immune system that can stop or slow down the infection's progress for a long time. Meanwhile, this infection could progress faster and turn into a severe health problem for others.
It is also essential to understand that only dental treatment can cure a tooth infection. Taking antibiotics can usually improve the patient's condition. However, it doesn't solve the issue entirely. Therefore, although the dentist might prescribe antibiotics in some cases, it is still necessary to receive proper dental treatment.
What Could Happen if the Infection Is Not Treated?
An untreated tooth infection can spread to other tissues and cause serious health complications. Some of them include the following:
- Bone infection:
Tooth infections commonly affect the surrounding bone. Moreover, as the infection progress, the affected bone area becomes wider.
- Septicemia:
Since the mouth possesses numerous blood vessels, bacteria can easily reach the bloodstream and cause septicemia. This is a life-threatening condition as the contaminated blood can spread bacteria to other organs.
- Sinus infection:
Some of the upper teeth are located close to the sinus. If the infection is not treated on time, it can spread to them.
- Ludwig's Angina:
This is a life-threatening and rare condition. Ludwig's Angina is a type of infection under the tongue. It can cause difficulty breathing and swallowing.
- Meningitis:
Meningitis is another life-threatening condition that develops when bacteria reach the brain. It can cause seizures, fever, headache, and confusion.
How Long Can a Dental Abscess Go Untreated?
Dental abscesses will not heal naturally and they require you to visit a trained medical professional as they start to spread and lead to the destruction of soft tissues. It may take weeks or months for the abscess to spread to other body parts, but there is no way to exactly estimate how quickly it will develop. It's a good idea to consult a doctor regarding infection signs. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible is wise since abscesses can have serious complications.
Available Treatment Options
Dentists can rely on different options to treat tooth infections, such as:
Root canal treatment:
Root canal treatment is usually the principal option for infection cases. Since tooth infection is typically caused by bacteria released from dead pulp, removing it helps to solve the issue.
During this procedure, the dentist can place a specific medication inside the tooth that helps the bone to heal.
- Antibiotics:
Dentists can prescribe antibiotics to help reduce the infection. Nonetheless, this is always complementary to a root canal treatment and not the principal treatment option. The reason is that the dead pulp will continue to release bacteria until it is removed. Nowadays, most dentists only prescribe antibiotics in cases that involve facial swelling and fever.
- Tooth extraction:
In some cases, the tooth's damage is too extensive. This could make it impossible for the dentist to restore it. When this happens, removing the tooth is the only option to treat the infection.
- Incision and drainage:
Some large dental abscesses can be drained through a small incision in the gums. This releases the pus contained inside of it and provides immediate relief.
How to Prevent a Tooth Infection?
The best method to prevent a tooth infection is by having good oral hygiene. Brushing the teeth twice daily and flossing can prevent cavities that could eventually turn into dental infections when left untreated. An outstanding method to keep teeth clean is with the Oclean W10 water flosser. This device sprays pressurized water to help the person remove plaque and food stuck between teeth. Furthermore, it has 5 flossing modes to work perfectly in different scenarios.
Additionally, visiting the dentist every 6 months can ensure that the mouth and teeth are completely healthy. Moreover, the dentist can treat any cavity before it evolves, resulting in a dental abscess.
Lastly, wearing a mouth guard while playing contact sports can also reduce the risk of suffering from a tooth infection. This is because it protects the teeth from heavy traumas that could burst the blood vessels on the pulp and cause it to die.
Best Oral Hygiene Practices to Prevent Teeth Infections
Proper oral hygiene is the best way of preventing tooth infection and making your mouth healthy.
1. Brush Twice Daily Correctly
Use a quality sonic toothbrush, like the Oclean Air 2 Sonic Electric Toothbrush, to effectively remove plaque and bacteria. Brush for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste, ensuring that you brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the gumline.
2. Floss Daily
Brushing alone will not eliminate plaque and food particles between your teeth. Flossing every day keeps decay and gum disease away by removing bacterial buildup in hard-to-reach spaces.
3. Rinse with an Antibacterial Mouthwash
Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash that is alcohol-free can kill bacteria and reduce plaque. Utilize a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen your teeth and offer cavity protection.
4. Stay Hydrated and Avoid Dry Mouth
Saliva washes bacteria and food particles from the mouth. Sip water throughout the day in large amounts, and if you suffer from dry mouth, chew sugar-free gum or use a saliva substitute.
5. Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly
A toothbrush with frayed bristles does not clean effectively. Replace your toothbrush head every 3 months or sooner if the bristles become frayed.
6. Refrain from Smoking and Excessive Alcohol
Smoking compromises your immune system, and it becomes more difficult to combat infections. Alcohol can also dehydrate your mouth, which promotes the growth of bacteria. Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol assists in keeping your mouth healthier.
7. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Routine dental check-ups and cleaning every 6 months can detect issues early, while they are not yet serious infections. If pain, swelling, or sensitivity develops, get your dentist to check you immediately to prevent complications.
The Takeaway
Tooth infections are dental emergencies that must be treated as soon as possible. Otherwise, the infection could spread to other tissues and cause life-threatening conditions. Nonetheless, there is no estimated time for this to happen as every case and person is different.
Fortunately, this can be easily prevented with good oral care. Also, the dentist can treat it and ease the symptoms through a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction.