The pain from an infected tooth can seem like the end of the world if you’ve never experienced it before. Unfortunately, tooth infections are extremely common, and there are plenty of ways to tell if you’re experiencing one. Emergency dental services like Miami Beach Dentistry and Dental Care can help to relieve the pain caused by an infected tooth as well as remove the source of infection so that it doesn’t happen again in the future. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for if you think you have an infected tooth.
Swelling
This is a sign that your immune system is responding to an infection. When you have a tooth infection, white blood cells attempt to attack it in order to kill off any bacteria present. This causes swelling in and around your tooth, as well as in your gums. To prevent yourself from experiencing an infected tooth, seek out emergency dental services such as SLS Dentists right away if you notice any unusual swelling or pain in one of your teeth. Prompt treatment will reduce your chances of developing more serious symptoms associated with an infected tooth.
Additionally, avoid chewing on ice, hard candy or other frozen foods until the symptoms subside. Doing so can exacerbate swelling problems and lead to other complications related to impacted wisdom teeth (which will be discussed later). Regular flossing can also help minimize inflammation and swollen tissue around your impacted wisdom teeth by keeping them free from bacterial buildup. If you are uncertain whether your swollen face is due to an infection or not , contact SLS dentist immediately for further guidance .
Pain
It is not uncommon for tooth infections to cause intense pain, especially in adults. If you’re experiencing any pain around your teeth or gums, make sure to see a dentist as soon as possible. The infection may be too far along for treatment at that point, but early diagnosis can prevent permanent damage. (Many people do not experience noticeable symptoms until it is too late.) Other signs of pain include swollen lymph nodes and fever. Try to contact a local dental office and schedule an appointment if your gums are sore; these are some of many indications that you could have an infected tooth.
5 Things You Can Do To Treat An Infected Tooth: Treating an infected tooth quickly will limit your recovery time and reduce complications from more serious forms of oral disease like gum disease and even heart issues from bacterial buildup and inflammation. Be sure to visit with a qualified dentist who knows how to properly treat an infected tooth versus one who focuses on aesthetic dentistry procedures.
Mouth or gum irritation
In most cases, tooth infections cause mouth or gum irritation. If you feel a throbbing in your gums, redness or soreness after eating a meal or brushing your teeth, you could have an infection. Also, pay attention to unusual tastes in your mouth that don’t go away after a few minutes. These are both signs of infected teeth and you should seek emergency dental services if they persist for more than a day.
Bad breath
One of the most common side effects of having an infected tooth is bad breath. In some cases, oral infections can also cause painful ulcers on your tongue or in your mouth, gums that bleed easily and a swollen face (though if you’re only having swelling it could be due to something else). The sooner you address your infection, however, chances are there won’t be any long-term damage. As such, speak with a dentist in emergency dental services as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms.
White or yellow patches on your teeth
Tartar buildup is normal, but yellow or white spots on your teeth could be an early sign of infection. Check in with your dentist to make sure it’s not a cavity. Your gums may also be inflamed, so you might feel pain while brushing and flossing. Contact your dentist immediately if you have any of these symptoms. The longer you wait to treat an infection, however mild it seems, the more likely it is to spread beyond your mouth—and even into your bones. Once that happens, you run a greater risk of losing teeth as well as developing gum disease and other complications that can contribute to heart disease and diabetes.
Sore throat
If you have a sore throat, you could be suffering from a severe infection of your tonsils. Check with your dentist immediately to get a professional opinion, as well as treatment options. The sooner your dentist sees you and diagnoses the problem, the better! If not treated immediately, an infection in both of your tonsils can cause more serious issues down the road. More serious illnesses like meningitis or death are possibilities if these infections aren’t addressed quickly.
Headaches
Although we always recommend a trip to your dentist for major aches, some research suggests that having a headache or migraine may be caused by an infected tooth. Though researchers are not exactly sure why, there are two theories: 1) All pain receptors—not just those in your teeth—may be linked, or 2) enzymes released from bacteria in infected teeth may irritate nerves connected to your head. Headaches that have no other explanation than tooth infection should always be checked out by a dentist right away! While you can usually treat minor aches and pains at home, it’s best to know what’s causing them so you can get relief quickly. For example, anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen will help with most tooth infections but won’t help migraines. Make sure to talk with your dentist if you have questions about how certain remedies affect different types of headaches.
Fever and chills
If you have an infected tooth, your immune system. will kick into overdrive to fight off whatever. is causing you harm. This can cause a fever and chills. While having a fever with no apparent cause is always concerning, having one in conjunction with an infected. Tooth should be cause for concern as well. The body’s reaction to infection is unpredictable, so it’s wise to contact your dentist if you experience these symptoms in conjunction with a painful tooth infection.
It could lead to further complications such as pneumonia. If a patient experiences recurring episodes of upper respiratory infections. Such as sinusitis or pneumonia following a dental procedure. It might be indicative of an underlying problem like chronic dry socket that needs to be addressed by their dentist. In rare cases, oral cavity infections can spread. Through blood vessels and throughout the rest of your body (sepsis), which can become life-threatening very quickly. The best course of action is prevention through good oral hygiene habits!