118-Can a Tooth Infection Spread to Jaw

Can a Tooth Infection Spread to Jaw?
If a tooth infection enters the tissue surrounding a tooth root, it will form a pus pocket at the tip of the root. This pus pocket now found around the root is called an abscess from a bacterial infection. As the infection expands, the pressure increases, resulting in some intense discomfort and pain. A tooth abscess is quite often the result of an untreated dental cavity, or an injury, or even some previous dental work.
Your dentist will immediately treat the abscess by draining the pus and removing the infection. Your natural tooth can often be saved with a root canal procedure, but sometimes the tooth will need to be extracted. If you do ignore a tooth abscess and do not have it treated, it can easily lead to an infected jawbone and even more serious health complications.
Some Common Indicators of a Tooth Infection
Frequent symptoms of a tooth abscess might include an intense, throbbing-like pain that occurs abruptly and increases rapidly. The pain, starting at the tooth, might spread to your jaw, an ear, and your neck on the side of the infected tooth.
Other indications of a tooth abscess might include:
* An escalation in sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures.
* A consistent, intense, throbbing toothache that radiates into your jawbone.
* Some swelling or inflammation in your cheek or face.
* Your lymph nodes become tender to the touch and are swollen.
* A noticeable discomfort to the pressure of biting and chewing.
* You find it slightly more difficult to breath or swallow.
* A fever.
Frequent Causes of a Tooth Infection
The tooth abscess is the result of bacteria invading and damaging the dental pulp, which is in the center of every tooth, and contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that support the tooth.
The bacteria can enter the tooth through a cavity, a chip, or crack in the tooth and then spread down to the root. As the infection grows it causes the inflammation at the tip of the root.
Risk Aspects to Both Monitor and Control
These factors can increase your risk of a tooth infection or an abscess:
* Poor dental hygiene – By not simply exercising the proper care of your teeth and gums, which is as easy as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily, you will increase your risk of tooth decay, a level of gum disease, a tooth abscess, and even one of many other oral complications.
* Too much sugar in your diet – If you frequently eat or drink foods or beverages high in sugar, it can very easily result in dental cavities creating tooth infections.
* Dry mouth – A dry mouth can also increase your risk of a tooth infection. A dry mouth can be a side effect of some medications or also can change with aging.
Difficulties Arising from a Tooth Infection
A tooth abscess will not simply go away without professional treatment. If the abscess ruptures, the immediate intense pain will decrease, but you are not out of the woods. If the abscess is not treated and drained properly, the infection will surge through the soft tissue and spread to your jaw.
Visit your dentist promptly if you have any symptoms. If you have some swelling in your face or have a fever and you cannot see the dentist, try urgent care. Go to an emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms indicate that the infection has spread into your jaw.