Yes, an untreated tooth infection can kill you in very rare cases where the bacteria spread throughout the body to cause life-threatening complications because our tissues function similarly to layered, microscopic pipes that permit fluids to flow through them. So dangerous bacteria and their contents can also do the same and spread through the body to cause life threatening complications.

In the current developed period, it’s merely very rare for a tooth infection to cause mortality as we have improved our oral hygiene and treatment. 

But we should be aware of what to do and not to do to avoid health complications due to a tooth infection. So, we have explained in this article how a tooth infection can spread, how long it takes and how important it is to take treatment as soon as possible.

What is Tooth Infection?

Tooth infection happens when the bacteria enters your teeth’s nerve or the soft tissues of the teeth which are called pulp. When the bacteria enter the pulp, a pus-filled pocket forms around the tooth, which we refer to as a dental abscess. Tooth infection is caused due to, 

• Tooth Decay
• Injury
• Previous Dental Procedures.

Can a tooth infection kill you?

Yes, a tooth infection can lead to mortality in very rare cases. The activity by NCBI shows the origin of dental infection. It was listed in the top 5th position as the cause of death in the 1600s but then it came down as the studies and technology have helped us in treating tooth infection effectively. 

The current technology and development of dental care have merely reduced the chance of mortality due to tooth infection. But you need to be aware and take care of your dental hygiene. If you are having a dental infection, then treatment immediately by visiting the dentist is necessary to avoid unnecessary health complications. 

If you leave the tooth infection untreated, then it can spread to different parts of the body and cause life-threatening health complications. That includes,

• Facial Cellulitis: when the infection from the tooth spreads to the soft tissues of the face and neck, it causes facial Cellulitis. This condition can result in facial swelling, redness, and pain, potentially blocking the airway or spreading to the bloodstream.
• Ludwig’s Angina: This is a rare but serious condition where the infection spreads to the floor of the mouth and neck. It can cause severe swelling, difficulty breathing, and a risk of airway obstruction, requiring immediate medical attention. It happens mostly when the infection affects the teeth in the lower jaw.
• Sepsis: When bacteria from the tooth infection enter the bloodstream, it can lead to sepsis. It is a life-threatening systemic inflammatory response. If you are leaving sepsis untreated, it can progress to septic shock, organ failure, and even death.
• Heart and Brain Infections: The bacteria can travel through the bloodstream and cause endocarditis (infection of the heart’s inner lining) or brain abscesses. These are both critical conditions that require emergency care.
• Bone Infection (Osteomyelitis): If the infection reaches the jawbone, it can lead to osteomyelitis, causing severe pain, swelling, and potential bone damage.

How to identify that the tooth infection is spreading?

If your tooth infection is spreading throughout the body, you could notice the following signs,

• Increased Pain and Swelling
• Fever and Chills
• Swollen Lymph Nodes
• Difficulty in Breathing or Swallowing
• Facial Redness or Warmth
• Pus Drainage or Bad Taste
• Fatigue or Malaise
• Headaches or Vision Problems
• Elevated Heart Rate (if you are affected by sepsis)

Can we treat Tooth Infection at Home?

There are some remedies, like rinsing with salt water or applying a cold compress. These remedies can help you to manage symptoms of a tooth infection but they cannot cure it. So, tooth infections require professional dental care to prevent complications. Antibiotics and proper treatment from a dentist are essential to address the infection effectively and avoid its spread to other parts of the body.

How do you know if a tooth infection is killing you?

Signs that a tooth infection is serious and is in the way of mortality are,

• Swelling 
• Fever 
• Tachycardia 
• Breathing 
• Confusion 
• Weakness 
• Pain 
• Sepsis 
• Dizziness 
• Fatigue

Takeaway

In the modern day, where dental care and hygiene have evolved to decrease the rate of death from a very high to a very rare state, you need not worry about dental infection killing you. But we need to be very hygienic and do our regular dental checkups to avoid dental infection because dental infection should still cause life-threatening problems like sepsis, Osteomyelitis, Ludwig’s Angina, and cavernous sinus thrombosis.

If you are having a dental infection, then consulting with a dentist to get professional dental treatment is very important to avoid life-threatening health complications. Contact Oris Dental Center for regular dental checkups and professional treatment of tooth abscesses.

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