Tooth Infection

What Is a Tooth Infection?

A tooth can become infected when the tooth enamel is damaged or eroded. Tooth enamel forms a hard outer covering that protects the tooth from being penetrated by harmful bacteria found in dental plaque.

If you have an untreated crack or chip in a tooth, a cavity, or a failing filling or crown, these bacteria can soon get inside the tooth and penetrate the dentin. Dentin is much softer and more easily destroyed, and it surrounds the dental pulp right in the tooth’s centre.

The dental pulp is a collection of soft tissues that include nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. These tissues extend from the pulp into the root canals in the tooth roots.

When the tooth nerve becomes infected, it causes pain. Without proper treatment, a root canal infection can spread to the gum and bone surrounding the tooth. This is when a tooth becomes abscessed.

Common Causes of Tooth Infections

Common reasons why tooth infections develop can include:

• Untreated tooth decay.
• Failing fillings or other dental restorations.
• Trauma to a tooth that has damaged the enamel.
• Untreated gum disease.
• Poor oral hygiene enables harmful bacteria in plaque to build up.
• Wisdom tooth infection, where a wisdom tooth has partially erupted and become infected and decayed.

Signs of an Infected Tooth

The most common sign of a tooth infection is a toothache that may initially be mild but can gradually worsen. Other symptoms can include:

• Tooth sensitivity to temperature changes.
• Pain when biting and chewing.
• Swollen, tender gum around the tooth.
• An unpleasant taste or bad breath.

When Is a Tooth Infection an Emergency?

Certain symptoms can indicate that a tooth infection has become an emergency and has likely developed into a dental abscess, including:

• Fever and generally feeling unwell.
• Jaw pain.
• Facial swelling.

A severe toothache may accompany the signs, but sometimes the tooth nerve can die so that the pain may lessen, but you still require professional tooth abscess treatment.

These are all symptoms that require professional dental care, and we recommend contacting Dental Pearl to arrange an urgent appointment with a gum abscess dentist.

Seeing an emergency dentist for an abscess is essential. This is because, if left untreated, the bacteria causing this infection could spread beyond your tooth, impacting your general health and, in rare circumstances, becoming life-threatening.

What to Expect When You Contact Our Dental Office

When you contact Dental Pearl, we will ask about your symptoms to determine the urgency of treatment. We can provide helpful advice on coping with any pain and discomfort until your appointment.

How Is a Tooth Infection Diagnosed?

Diagnosing an abscessed tooth is a straightforward process that follows the steps outlined below.

1. Clinical Dental Exam

Our dentist will gently examine the tooth to assess whether it is infected and whether the nerve is still alive.

2. Digital Diagnostics

Digital dental X-rays and other diagnostic tests are used to determine how far the infection has spread. These help us determine whether the surrounding tissues are infected or damaged and plan your treatment.

When we see someone with an infected tooth, pain relief can be given during the same appointment. We can quickly help you feel much better.

Treatment Options for Tooth Infections

Several treatment options may be available, including:

1. Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy removes an inflamed and infected pulp and all the tissues extending into your root canals, so we can thoroughly disinfect the tooth and permanently seal it. Afterward, a dental crown protects the tooth.

2. Abscess Drainage

If you require treatment for a tooth abscess, we may need to drain the abscessed tooth by making a small incision in the gum and inserting a tiny tube. The tube may be left in for a day or longer to allow the drainage to complete.

3. Antibiotics

You will likely require antibiotics for a tooth infection. If prescribed, please take the complete course to help eliminate the infection.

4. Tooth extraction.

If you have a wisdom tooth infection, tooth extraction is the most likely treatment. Removing the tooth will get rid of the infection.

If the infection affects another adult tooth, we only recommend tooth extraction after exhausting all other treatment options.

Risks of Leaving a Tooth Infection Untreated

A tooth infection, like an abscessed tooth or root canal infection, will not clear up without professional dental care. It is extremely important to see a dentist urgently to help prevent:

• Increasing pain and discomfort.
• Infection spreading to nearby tissues or affecting your general health.
• Tooth loss.
• Problems eating and sleeping, and completing everyday activities.
• Needing more complex dental work later.

Preventing Further Tooth Infections

Because tooth infections are frequently due to lax oral care, improving your dental routine can help considerably. Twice-daily brushing and flossing help to remove many of the bacteria in dental plaque that cause infections.

Regular checkups and hygiene appointments are very important. We can monitor your teeth and gums for early signs of damage and infection, and provide suitable treatment sooner. This can help reduce your dental bills in the long term and protect your overall health.

Do You Have a Tooth That Feels Uncomfortable?

Contact us so we can identify the problem quickly and prevent it from worsening with appropriate, gentle dental care.