An Infected Tooth is Not to Be Dismissed

Toothache pain can be excruciating. Some people believe that powering through the pain is one way to go. If you can hang in there long enough, eventually it will go away. Although that may be true, the pain can last for days; but that is not the only reason you should get that tooth looked at right away. An infection in the nerve center of a tooth can lead to serious complications if it is not addressed in a timely manner – so why take the chance?

How a Tooth Becomes Infected

Toothache pain can strike before the tooth nerve center is compromised. The major layers of a tooth are the hard enamel outside, and the softer but still significantly hard second layer called the dentin. In the center is the pulp where the blood vessels and nerves live.

The way the layers of a tooth are structured, you may feel discomfort or pain with sweets and hot or cold foods if damage or decay reaches the second layer, or dentin. This layer has thousands of microscopic channels that lead to the pulp. If these tiny tubules are exposed, temperature changes and acidic substances can reach the pulp and cause pain.

When the pulp itself is exposed, the pain can be intolerable. If the pulp becomes infected, inflammation and swelling develop. Toxins exacerbate the infection and an abscess will develop. The longer the condition is left untreated, the worse it becomes. The toxins created will begin to dissolve the bone around the tooth roots as the abscess increases in size.

Critical Infection Point

If the infection is not treated, it could develop into a very serious health problem. If the infection enters the bloodstream, sepsis could result. When the body has an extreme reaction to an infection, it can trigger a chain reaction that affects your other organs.

Sepsis must be treated immediately. Without treatment it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and in some cases become fatal.

High Risk Factors

Some individuals are more at risk for sepsis than others. These include:

• Older adults aged 65 and up
• Individuals with compromised immune systems
• Individuals with chronic medical conditions
• Diabetics
• Individuals who have had recent severe illness
• Individuals who have had sepsis before

Getting treatment for toothache pain is not something you should consider putting off. Seeking treatment right away could save your tooth and perhaps your life. Sacramento Emergency Dentist is here seven days a week to ensure that you get back on the road to oral health quickly. Call us when you have toothache pain.