Can You Extract a Tooth That Is Infected?

If your tooth is infected, extraction is possible and likely necessary. Removing the infected tooth can eliminate the source of the infection, preventing it from spreading throughout the mouth and causing the issue to become worse.

The process to extract a tooth that is decayed and infected can be complex, requiring more skill and care than a typical extraction. In some cases, antibiotics may need to be prescribed before the procedure to manage inflammation and reduce swelling. 

While the idea of having a tooth removed can be concerning, putting off treatment is far worse. An untreated tooth infection can spread throughout the mouth and body, negatively impacting your oral and overall health. To help you better understand how and why infected tooth extractions may be necessary, this article explores the symptoms of an infected tooth, the risk of delaying treatment, home remedies that can ease your symptoms (but won’t solve the problem), and why professional care is essential.

Why Infected Teeth Often Need to Be Extracted

Tooth infections, often called abscessed teeth, occur when the tissues in or around the tooth become infected. Infections often result from gum disease, cavities, tooth decay, or cracks in the tooth, all of which create opportunities for the bacteria to enter the teeth and surrounding tissues. When a tooth is infected, an abscess, or pus-filled sac, will form, often developing deep in the tooth’s pulp. This abscess may be visible, either as a pimple-like formation or as a swollen bump on the gums.

Left untreated, tooth infections can destroy the surrounding bone, damage neighboring teeth, and lead to other serious complications impacting your oral or overall health. The removal of infected teeth must be handled with care to prevent the spread of infection. Extractions are a common treatment option to proactively eliminate the infection and prevent further issues.

Related: What Happens if You Have a Broken Wisdom Tooth?

Risks of Leaving an Infected Tooth Untreated

An infected tooth is far more than just a minor annoyance. If untreated, the pain of tooth infections can rapidly worsen, often spreading to the jaw or ear.

Other complications of an untreated tooth infection include:

• Tooth loss, as the infected tooth loosens and falls out
• Damage to the surrounding bone, gums, and teeth
• The spread of infection to other parts of the body, causing serious systemic infections like sepsis, endocarditis (infection of the heart), or meningitis (infection of the spinal cord and brain).

The spread of infection is among the worst outcomes of an untreated tooth infection, as many of these illnesses can be fatal if not addressed promptly and properly. Because of this, it is critical to address tooth infections as soon as possible.

Will Antibiotics Alone Cure the Infection?

While antibiotics are often part of the treatment plan for an infected tooth, and they can help to relieve some of the symptoms of an infected tooth, they are rarely enough to treat the infection on their own. An infection that is located deep within the roots of the tooth is difficult for antibiotics to reach—especially if the bacteria has damaged the blood vessels that would otherwise deliver the medication.

Antibiotics also don’t solve the root of the issue, whether that’s a cavity that allows bacteria to enter the tooth or damaged pulp that will continue to cause issues down the road. A root canal can be effective in removing the damaged pulp, but a tooth extraction is often the most effective way to remove the infection and prevent it from returning.

What Are the Signs of a Tooth Infection?

Tooth infections do not always cause pain—but most do. Most tooth infections are often uncomfortable and painful, with symptoms such as:

• Sharp or throbbing pain in the tooth
• Pain or difficulty chewing
• Swelling in the cheek or jaw
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• A visible abscess
• Bad breath
• Fever
• Swollen glands
• Headache

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a dentist or oral surgeon right away. Addressing the issue quickly is essential to preventing further, even life-threatening, complications.

Natural Remedies for Tooth Infection: What You Should Know

If you’re dealing with the symptoms of an infected tooth, you may first consider natural remedies for tooth infection. These non-medical remedies are not a cure for the infection in your tooth. They won’t solve the root cause of the issue, but they can often help to ease the pain and discomfort of the infected tooth as you seek medical treatment.

Some common at-home remedies that can help to provide relief from a tooth infection include:

• A saltwater rinse. Warm saltwater helps to reduce the presence of bacteria on the surface of the tooth and gums while also soothing inflammation. 
• Clove oil. A natural numbing agent, clove oil can provide temporary relief from the pain of tooth infections—but it won’t address the source of the infection.
• Cold compresses. While cold compresses are great at helping to manage swelling and pain around the infected tooth, they can’t kill the bacteria that causes that pain.

While these remedies have their place in easing tooth pain and discomfort when an infection is present, a home remedy for tooth infection cannot and should not replace professional care. Untreated infections can put you at risk of tooth loss, bone loss, and far worse. Only a professional can help to address the root cause and treat your tooth infection safely and effectively. 

Aftercare Tips for Infected Tooth Extraction

If your dentist or oral surgeon determines that a tooth extraction is necessary, you are likely to feel worse for a few days. Once you extract a tooth that has been infected, however, this discomfort comes with the promise of feeling much better (and reducing your health risk) after the extraction site has healed.

Extraction aftercare is essential to ensure that the infection doesn’t return and that the gums and bone heal properly. Best practices for extraction aftercare include:

• Following the instructions provided by your oral surgeon or pharmacist for all medications provided before and after surgery, and making sure to finish the full course of medication.
• Continuing regular oral hygiene practices by gently brushing your teeth twice a day while avoiding the extraction site.
• Avoiding smoking and alcohol use, both of which can increase inflammation and delay healing. Smoking can also cause blood clots in the extraction site to loosen, causing excessive bleeding.
• Eating soft foods to prevent irritation of the extraction site and make mealtime more comfortable.
• Avoiding the use of straws or any foods that require sucking, as this can loosen the blood clots at the extraction site.

Finally, you should always monitor for signs of post-op infection. These include prolonged pain, swelling, or discharge at the extraction site. If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your oral surgeon. The staff at Bergen Oral Surgery, for example, are available 24/7 to respond to emergencies and provide you with excellent aftercare.

Related: How Long Should You Wait to Exercise After Tooth Extraction?

Why Choose an Oral Surgeon for Infected Tooth Extractions?

While oral surgeons are routinely (and safely) able to extract a tooth that is infected, the procedure is not without its complications. Care must be taken to prevent the spread of infection and bacteria throughout the mouth. Tooth decay and damage also increase the likelihood of fracture, presenting the possibility that the tooth may break during removal.

A general dentist may be equipped to handle a standard extraction, but the advanced knowledge and training of a dental surgeon is better suited to handle complications with knowledge and skill.

Consider the surgical staff at Bergen Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in NJ. Our dual-degree NJ oral surgeons hold credentials in oral surgery and medicine, ensuring that we’re able to treat the whole patient—which is critical when you consider the whole-body risk of a tooth infection. Plus, our team’s advanced training, access to a range of sedation options, and experience with high-risk extraction cases help to ensure that your extraction goes smoothly and comfortably, with minimal complications.

Specializing in complicated tooth extractions, our surgeons have been trusted by both dentists and patients in Bergen County for more than 70 years. Extractions can be performed at any of our four locations in Franklin Lakes, Hackensack, Ridgewood, and Westwood—plus, with hospital privileges in New York and New Jersey, our team is ready to help wherever you are.

If you suspect an infection in your tooth, don’t hesitate to reach out. Make an appointment with the best oral surgeons in NJ. Call or text us at (201) 477-2667 or request an appointment online.

Learn more about tooth extractions in NJ.

FAQ

If you’re dealing with the pain of an infected tooth, you likely have many questions. Here are the two most common questions we get from our patients and others in the area.

Will my infection spread if I wait to extract the tooth?

Tooth infections can spread to the jaw bone, the surrounding teeth, and throughout the body, leading to increasingly worse outcomes. Extracting the tooth is often the best way to stop the infection and its spread.

Can a general dentist extract an infected tooth, or should I see an oral surgeon?

While a general dentist can perform simple extractions, an infected tooth is more likely to need an oral surgeon’s expertise and care. Infection can lead to complications in the extraction, which are best handled by an oral surgeon. 

Personalized, gentle, comprehensive patient care is our number one priority. If you suspect you have an infected tooth, make an appointment right away with one of our oral surgeons.