How long does it take for tooth infection to spread?

To summarize: It can potentially take several months for a dental abscess to develop. Once an abscess has formed, noticeable pain and swelling around the affected tooth usually occur. If left untreated, it may take a few more weeks or months for the infection to spread to other tissues and cause complications.

How do you know if a tooth infection has spread?

If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw and surrounding tissue or even to other areas of your body.

Does tooth infection spread quickly?

If a tooth infection has spread, it is considered a medical emergency. These infections can quickly become widespread and severe. In some cases, systemic infections can even be life threatening.

How far can a tooth infection spread?

Without treatment, a tooth infection can spread to the face and neck. Severe infections may even reach more distant parts of the body. In some cases, they may become systemic, affecting multiple tissues and systems throughout the body.

How long can an infected tooth go untreated?

To summarize: It can potentially take several months for a dental abscess to develop. Once an abscess has formed, noticeable pain and swelling around the affected tooth usually occur. If left untreated, it may take a few more weeks or months for the infection to spread to other tissues and cause complications.

Tooth Abscess Stages

How long can you have a tooth infection before it kills you?

It first forms into a dental abscess if not treated promptly. Once an abscess has developed, you may experience severe tooth pain and swelling. In a few weeks or months, the infection may spread to other tissues. Death can occur in a few days once the infection has spread to other tissues and the bloodstream.

How do you stop a tooth infection from spreading?

Antibiotics. You may be prescribed antibiotics to reduce the tooth infection, and to stop the infection from spreading further. If it has been determined that the infection has already spread, you may have to take an extended course of antibiotics.

Can you have a tooth infection for years?

An infection in your body is considered a threat. If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years. There are two types of dental abscess – one can form under the tooth (periapical) and the other in the supporting gum and bone (periodontal).

What does tooth infection feel like?

If you experience pain and extreme sensitivity when eating, you may have a tooth infection. The infection or abscess spreads out of the root tip, which causes the gum and bone to be affected. Sometimes the pulsating pain and throbbing may be so severe that pain medication does not relieve your aches.

Can a dentist pull an infected tooth?

Will a dentist pull an infected tooth? Yes, dentists routinely do pull infected teeth. They do this all of the time.

What are the symptoms of a jaw bone infection?

Can tooth infection spread while on antibiotics?

Due to the anatomy of the tooth, bacteria become trapped in the roots. Without proper cleaning, such as through root canal therapy, the infection will remain and potentially spread to the jaw or even the brain.

How do you know if you have a bacterial infection in your mouth?

Can I have a tooth infection without pain?

In some cases, an abscess causes no pain, or the pain varies in frequency and severity. Sometimes with a periapical infection, the infection inside the tooth works its way into the gum through the root of the tooth, creating a bubble on the gum.

Can a tooth infection make you feel tired?

Feeling Unwell

That nagging toothache may turn into a nagging headache. The pain may also travel up your jawbone and into your ear. You may also notice that you start to feel fatigued like you are about to come down with something.

What happens when a tooth infection gets in your bloodstream?

When an infection occurs, bacteria can move out of the tooth to the bone or tissue below, forming a dental abscess. A dental infection can lead to sepsis. Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body's often deadly response to infection.

Can tooth infection spread to throat?

It's hard to clean an impacted tooth properly, so this can lead to a tooth infection, or “abscess.” An abscessed tooth can cause significant pain, and can also cause bacteria to spread throughout your mouth, resulting in a sore throat. This is the most common with the lower wisdom teeth.

What is the best antibiotic for dental infection?

How can I get rid of a tooth infection without antibiotics?

What is the most common oral infection?

1. Dental Caries or Cavities. Dental caries—also known as cavities—are holes in your teeth that form from tooth decay, and cavities are one of the most common oral infections.

Do antibiotics stop infections from spreading?

Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from reproducing and spreading. Antibiotics aren't effective against viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, most coughs and sore throats.

Will antibiotics stop tooth infection pain?

Antibiotics will not cure toothache, they will only mask the problem until you have something done about the tooth itself. They may stop the pain for a few days, weeks or even months, but it will always come back with a vengeance!

How long do antibiotics take to work for tooth infection?

After a person begins to take antibiotics, it should take 2-3 days for the infection to begin to clear. A person should finish the entire course of the medication as prescribed by their doctor even if they begin to feel better sooner. A common treatment period is 7 days.

Can you get lockjaw from a tooth infection?

Rarely, in severe cases of dental abscess, the affected person may also experience: Cellulitis, a bacterial infection of skin and subcutaneous tissues. Lockjaw (trismus) Difficulty swallowing, due to pain and swelling.

Will amoxicillin treat a jaw infection?

As the Mayo Clinic notes, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic such as amoxicillin for abscessed tooth treatment to keep the infection from spreading to nearby teeth, your jaw or other facial structures.