Although we often neglect minor scratches, we should never ignore toothaches and infections of the root of the teeth. See a dentist as soon as possible if you have a painful toothache, especially if your gums become swollen.
If left untreated, a tooth root infection can spread to other parts of the body, cause more severe medical conditions, or even be fatal. Despite being a small portion of our bodies, our teeth and gums influence our general health, much like other body parts do when their requirements are ignored. Contact a Springfield, VA dentist to check out the reasons and how a tooth root infection develops throughout the body to have a better understanding of the severity of the condition.
What Happens If You Do Not Treat Your Dental Infection
A bacterial infection near the tooth’s roots causes an accumulation of pus, known as a periapical abscess or tooth root infection. It occurs when the germs penetrate the tooth pulp, which is home to the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues.
Causes behind dental root infections that let bacteria reach the tooth root:
- Untreated tooth decay
- Injury that leaves a tooth broken
- Chipped tooth
A toothache can indicate numerous issues, but other indications of a tooth infection include the following:
- Piercing pain that spreads to the neck, ears, or jaw
- Fever and Swelling
- Sensitivity or pain while biting or chewing food
- Sensitivity or pain while eating hot or cold foods or drinks
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Foul taste and scent in your mouth
The germs will get into the blood vessels and travel through the bloodstream if people neglect the symptoms listed above. The infection will result in life-threatening risk factors and spread throughout the body, particularly in individuals who have underlying medical conditions.
Consequences of a dental root infection spreading throughout your body
A number of medical disorders can occur after the disease-causing bacteria from an infected tooth enters the bloodstream. When bacteria and viruses attack our body, our response fluctuates. Untreated tooth infections may not hurt some healthy people, but they could trigger other patients to have the following health issues:
- Bone infection
The bones around your affected tooth, particularly your jaw bone, are the first place that bacteria go after. The inflammation of the bone marrow or bone as a result of a bacterial infection that infiltrated your circulation is known as osteomyelitis or bone infection.
- Infection of the blood vessels
A blood clot near the base of the brain is triggered by an infection of the blood arteries in the sinuses, known as cavernous sinus thrombosis. It is a rare and sometimes fatal disease in which an infection from your teeth, nose, eyes, or ears spreads through your facial veins and causes other facial complications.
