A tooth infection may look like a minor issue, but it can be fatal if not treated. A small problem can become a big problem if the infection moves to other parts of your body and becomes sepsis.
If left untreated, a tooth infection can gradually spread to other parts, sometimes within weeks or days. This can in some extreme cases result in other health risks or even death. Research has revealed that infections in the mouth can travel to the blood stream causing sepsis, a disease that kills over 11 million people globally.
Read on to find out how fast a tooth infection can turn fatal and how it spreads to other parts of your body.
Can a Tooth Infection Be Dangerous?
Though the chances of dying from a tooth infection are rare, but it’s still possible. The infection happens when harmful bacteria get into the tooth’s soft tissues. This leads to swelling, pain, and pus. The condition is known as a dental abscess.
Even though death from a tooth infection is uncommon today, it can happen if the infection spreads to other parts of the body. This could lead to severe complications, like sepsis, which affects the bloodstream and can be fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infections like these can quickly become life-threatening without proper treatment. It’s vital to get medical help early if you suspect an infection to prevent any serious problems.
How a Tooth Infection Spreads?
A tooth abscess happens when an infection forms inside your tooth. This occurs when bacteria enter and reach the pulp, the soft part inside the tooth. As the infection grows, it may lead to an abscess, a painful pocket of pus and bacteria around the tooth. This can cause severe pain, swelling, and even fever.
Years ago, before modern dental care, tooth infections killed many people. In fact, about 10 to 40 percent of people who had a tooth infection died from it. These numbers are high and show just how dangerous a tooth infection was.
Today, we have better treatments. Dentists now use antibiotics and surgery to stop infections before they get too serious. With these modern tools, the chance of dying from a tooth infection is very low. It is much less likely now because we know how to treat it quickly and safely.
So, while a tooth infection can be serious, it’s much easier to treat these days. The risk of dying from one is almost gone, thanks to the progress in medical care.
When Can a Tooth Infection Become Deadly?
A tooth infection can turn into a life-threatening issue if not taken seriously. It can take weeks or months for the infection to grow and spread. Usually, this happens when a cavity is ignored, but an injury to the tooth can make things worse faster. If you don’t treat the infection, it can spread through your body.
At first, you will feel pain in the tooth. It might throb and hurt more when you touch it. Swelling will also appear around the infected area. Many people don’t think it’s serious at first, but if the infection moves to your jaw, neck, or even brain, it can be deadly. Swelling may get so bad that you can’t breathe or swallow.
Without quick medical help, the infection can kill you. This could happen in a matter of days as the infection spreads faster.
What Can a Tooth Infection Cause?
If you don’t treat a tooth infection, it can result in serious problems, such as:
- Sepsis: This happens when the body’s organs start to fail because of an infection. It can harm the heart, liver, and kidneys.
- Ludwig’s Angina: This rare infection affects the skin and tissue under your tongue and neck. Without quick care, it can block breathing and cause death.
- Necrotizing Fasciitis: A fast-moving infection that kills soft tissue. It can spread quickly and do severe harm to the body.
- Endocarditis: This is an infection of the heart’s inside lining. It can lead to serious heart damage.
- Mediastinitis: An infection that happens in the chest area, between the lungs. It can cause breathing issues and harm your body’s vital parts.
- Osteomyelitis: A bone infection that can happen if the bacteria from the tooth infection spreads to nearby bones.
- Brain Abscess: If the infection spreads to the brain, it can form a pus-filled area, causing severe damage.
If you notice signs of an infection, see a doctor fast. Treating it early can prevent these dangerous issues.
How Long Until a Tooth Infection Kills You?
A tooth infection can be deadly, but it doesn’t always happen right away. The timeline depends on how fast the infection spreads and how quickly you get help. In some cases, severe infections can lead to death in just 28 days, especially if the infection causes serious issues like sepsis.
Once a tooth infection spreads, it can travel to the neck, brain, or lungs. This can lead to life-threatening conditions. Swelling, throbbing pain, fever, and difficulty swallowing are common signs that the infection is getting worse. If it enters the bloodstream, the situation can quickly become critical.
If you delay getting medical treatment, death can happen within weeks. But in rare cases, the infection may take a couple of months before becoming fatal. If you think you have a tooth infection, see a dentist right away. It could save your life.
What are Risk Factors for Severe Dental Abscess Infections
The following factors increase the chances of a tooth infection spreading and causing serious health problems.
- Older Adults: Reduced immune response increases infection risks.
- Diabetes: According to the International Dental Journal, diabetic patients are 2.8 times more likely to develop severe dental abscesses.
- Weak Immune System: Conditions or treatments like chemotherapy weaken the body’s defenses.
- Malnutrition: Lack of proper nutrients can delay healing and make infections harder to manage.
When to Go to the Dentist for a Tooth Infection
A tooth infection is not something that goes away on its own. If left untreated, the infection worsens and becomes more dangerous to the patient’s health. It is important to act quickly in order not to allow it spread to other parts of your body.
See a dentist without delay if you experience:
- A sharp, throbbing pain in the area of a tooth.
- Bleeding or inflammation of your gums.
- A bad taste in the mouth.
- Sensitivity of the teeth or change in color.
- Persistent bad breath.
In some cases, the infection can extend to other parts of the mouth and even the body at large. If your condition deteriorates, then go to the hospital as soon as possible.
Signs of a spreading infection include:
- A high fever.
- Bulge in the jaw, neck or face.
- Difficulty in swallowing or speaking.
- Headache that is severe or feeling like you may vomit.
- Shortness of breath.
- A racing heartbeat.
It is very risky to ignore these symptoms. Sepsis, which is an infection that affects the blood, is very dangerous. The CDC estimates that 1.7 million adults get sepsis annually in the United States, and most of them develop the condition from untreated infections.
Seeing a dentist or a doctor not only helps you get rid of your pain but also saves you from many dangerous diseases. It is always better to treat a condition before it reaches an emergency level—and it is usually cheaper to do so as well.
How Is a Tooth Infection Treated & Prevented?
A dentist can treat a tooth infection in several ways:
- Draining the abscess: This is a common first step. The dentist will make a small incision to let out the pus.
- Root Canal: If the tooth can be saved, the dentist will remove the infected pulp and clean the tooth, then fill it.
- Tooth Extraction: If the tooth cannot be saved, the dentist may need to pull it out to stop the infection from spreading.
- Antibiotics: While antibiotics are sometimes used, they won’t cure the infection alone. They work best when used in conjunction with other treatments like a root canal or extraction.
Can Home Remedies Help?
While you wait for a dentist, there are a few things you can do to ease the pain and swelling:
- Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the infected side.
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater or hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply a cold compress to the affected area.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid hurting the infected area.
Remember, these remedies won’t cure the infection, and you’ll still need a dentist for proper treatment.
Preventing a Tooth Infection
The best way to avoid a tooth infection is to practice good oral hygiene:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily to remove food particles.
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups.
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks that promote decay.
- Take care of chips or cracks in your teeth right away.
FAQs
How quickly does a tooth infection spread?
A tooth infection is dangerous and can progress rapidly, within a few days at most. When bacteria get into the blood stream or the tissues around the area, the infection can spread to areas such as the jaw, neck or even the vital organs. It is important to seek treatment early to avoid the worsening of the condition.
What are the most dangerous complications?
Untreated tooth infections can lead to:
- Septicaemia, an acute illness that occurs when the infection enters the blood stream.
- Ludwig’s Angina, which can cause airway obstruction.
- Brain abscesses, which are severe neurological disorders.
- Valvular disease, an infection of the heart valves.
- These conditions are lethal if not treated promptly.
Is it possible for a tooth infection to heal without medical intervention?
Tooth infections do not heal on their own, and that is why they require treatment. The infection tends to progress and extend to adjacent tissues and may lead to serious complications. Only professional dental care can help to eliminate the infection.
How can I tell if an infection is serious?
Signs of a serious tooth infection include:
- Persistent pain that does not subside.
- Bulge in the jaw, face or neck.
- Fever or chills.
- Breathlessness or dysphagia, that is, the inability to swallow food or liquids.
- A rapid heartbeat.
If you have any of these symptoms, call an ambulance right away.
Last Words
Tooth infections rarely lead to death today, but ignoring one can still bring serious trouble. If untreated, the infection may spread fast, causing dangerous health problems within days or weeks. Watch for symptoms like pain, swelling, or fever—these are your body’s warnings. Seek help right away if you notice them. Quick care not only stops bigger issues but also saves your tooth and keeps you healthy.
Take perfect care of your teeth and never ignore an infection. Your life might depend on it.
