If you’ve ever experienced a toothache, you know from experience how debilitating it can be. Because they’re incredibly common, many people think it’s okay to wait until the pain is severe to seek treatment. However, doing that can have serious consequences. It’s strongly recommended that you make an appointment with your emergency dentist as soon as you feel any type of pain to rule out an infection. Otherwise, your situation can become fatal. In this blog post, you’ll learn more about how a tooth infection can affect your body and what you can do to keep yourself safe.
Can Ignoring a Toothache Be Fatal?
When something is wrong with your mouth, the nerves and teeth send signals of discomfort to alert you that there’s a problem. More often than not, you experience tooth pain because there’s an infection. If you fail to seek treatment, harmful bacteria can enter your bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body. It’ll attack important organs, leaving you vulnerable to systemic issues like diabetes or a heart attack.
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms as they can indicate an infection:
- Throbbing tooth pain
- Pain that worsens when laying down
- Sensitivity to foods and drinks at extreme temperatures
- Facial swelling
- Difficulty chewing and eating
- Fever or high temperatures and ear pain
- Bad breath that lingers even after brushing or rinsing
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
How Can Your Dentist Help?
Proper dental care is one of the best ways to protect your smile. You should stay on top of your routine appointments and visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. These will allow them to spot, treat, and prevent any issues before they turn into painful complications. Additionally, they’ll remove plaque and tartar from your teeth to lower the risk of an infection developing. Make sure you get any necessary restorative dental work to keep your oral health and overall well-being in their very best shape.
Tips for a Healthy Smile
While tooth infections can be fatal, there are many ways you can lower your risk of one. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
- Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time
- Floss at least once a day
- Rinse your mouth every day with an ADA-approved mouthwash
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Avoid poor dental habits like smoking, biting fingernails, using teeth as tools, and chewing leftover ice
Do you think you may have a tooth infection? Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible! They’ll identify the root cause and recommend a treatment method to get your smile back on the right track.
About the Practice
At Cary Dental Rejuvenation, we are passionate about helping everyone achieve and maintain their very best smiles. Our team uses the latest technologies, techniques, and materials to ensure you get the care you deserve. If you are seeking prompt relief from a toothache, we’ve got you covered. You can schedule an emergency appointment via our website or call (919) 460-5454.