What Are the Symptoms of a Tooth Infection?

Bacteria can enter a tooth through a break, crack or cavity and cause an infection. A tooth infection is more likely if you:

• Have dry mouth (typically caused by aging or taking certain medications)
• Consume a high-sugar diet (for example, eating sweets and drinking soda often)
• Do not floss and brush your teeth twice a day

Some toothaches should be taken seriously, but you can never know which ones. If you have a toothache, you want to see a dentist right away to prevent further complications. Sacramento Emergency Dentist provides emergency dental care any day of the week.

If you feel pain for more than 24 hours or if the following symptoms accompany the toothache, your condition merits a visit.

First Signs of a Tooth Infection

A dental infection can cause pain in the jaw, the ear, the brain and the lymph nodes. It is also possible to develop a pimple on your gum or tooth, which, if broken, can release pus and bacteria.

Some common symptoms of a tooth infection include:

• Bad breath
• Cheek swelling
• Fever
• Pain that gets worse in a laying down position
• Sensitivity to hot or cold drinks and food and pressure in the mouth
• Tender or swollen neck lymph nodes
• Throbbing tooth pain, pain in the jawbone, neck or ear
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth

If the infection has spread to other body parts, you may feel sick with symptoms including dizziness, headache, fatigue, sweating, skin flushing, chills, confusion, dehydration, a rapid pulse rate, rapid breathing, vomiting, diarrhea and extreme swelling that impedes breathing, swallowing and the ability to open your mouth entirely.

An Unchecked Tooth Infection Can Cause Other Health Problems

A tooth infection will not heal on its own. If unchecked, it can spread throughout your body and cause serious complications. However, there is no reason to let it get that far. A dentist can treat a tooth infection with antibiotics, a root canal, surgical extraction or drainage of the pus.

You may notice flu-like symptoms because your body’s attempt to combat the infection manifests as a fever. Other times, you may think the condition has passed because you feel ok. However, the absence of pain does not indicate that the infection has cleared up. If a tooth infection is not treated, it can eventually kill the nerves that provide sensation to the affected tooth.

You risk getting a life-threatening sepsis infection if the bacteria enter your bloodstream. This can happen even if your tooth pain has subsided. Contact the Sacramento Emergency Dentist team the same day you feel any pain.