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The risks of not treating an infected tooth

Oral hygiene is directly connected to your overall health and a sustained infection in your mouth can cause issues throughout the body.

What causes an infected tooth?

To better understand how an infected tooth can spread to other parts of your body, let’s first look at what causes a tooth to become infected. We breathe and eat through our mouths and the warm, moist environment is ideal for bacterial growth. Even with regular brushing and flossing, sometimes food particles and bacteria get caught in the small pockets between our teeth and gums. When this bacterium builds up, an infection can form.

To fight an infection, our immune system sends white blood cells to the area to attack. This process can cause inflammation and swelling, which opens up the potential for bacteria to travel to other parts of the body.

When a small infection becomes sepsis

Left untreated, the spread of bacteria throughout your body can cause sepsis. Sepsis can lead to blood clots and can compromise organs. The riskiest time for sepsis with a tooth infection is if the infection bursts. A sign that this may have happened is when the pressure and discomfort of your infected tooth goes away quickly. Other indicators for sepsis include fever, headache, nausea, or a marked increase in your heart and breathing rate.

Increased risk for heart disease

Chronic inflammation can be a cause of heart disease, leaving an untreated infection in your mouth will increase your risk factor.

How to treat an infected tooth

Time is of the essence when it comes to treating an infected tooth. When caught early, an infected tooth can often be remedied with a course of antibiotics. At the first sign of an infected tooth, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Leaving an infected tooth to heal on its own is a risk that’s not worth taking.