Can You Die from Having an Infected Tooth?

If you have a toothache that just won’t go away, you can’t afford to ignore it. The pain isn’t just an irritation; it’s a warning sign that you might have a tooth infection that could potentially lead to more serious consequences – even fatal ones. The following post explores how a tooth infection in Accra could eventually turn into a life-threatening emergency, as well as how your dentist can help you avoid the worst-case scenario.

How Infected Teeth Can Kill

Tooth infections do not get better on their own. Left untreated, they’ll only grow more severe and start to spread to other parts of your body. Eventually, it could cause an abscess – an infected pocket of pus – to form. Not only are abscesses very painful, but they can also put you at risk for sepsis, which is a potentially deadly condition.

Sepsis is, in simple terms, the body’s most extreme response to a serious infection. The immune system becomes so aggressive and toxic that it starts damaging your tissues and organs. If left unaddressed for too long, sepsis could easily result in death.

How Can You Avoid the Worst Consequences of Infected Teeth?

The good news is that if you have an infection treated as early as possible, your dentist can often take care of the problem long before sepsis occurs. If you have a toothache, you should schedule an appointment right away so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.

Usually, root canal therapy can be performed to remove the infected tissue while letting you keep the natural tooth. In cases where the infection has already grown too severe, an extraction might be needed instead.

Preventing Tooth Infections

Of course, you won’t need to worry about treating a dental infection if you can avoid having one altogether. There are several steps you can take to protect your teeth from harmful bacteria, such as:

• Brushing two times every day (or three times if possible).
• Flossing at least once a day.
• Using mouthwash to fight oral bacteria that you didn’t remove while brushing or flossing.
• Wearing a mouthguard to protect your smile while playing sports. (A cracked or chipped tooth is more vulnerable to infection.)
• Breaking bad dental habits like eating too much sugar or crunching ice.
• Visiting your dentist twice a year for preventive examinations and cleanings.

By taking a preventive approach to dental care, you can significantly reduce your risk for infection. That said, problems can still occur despite your best efforts, so be ready to call your dentist at the first sign that something is wrong with your mouth.

It doesn’t pay to take chances with infected teeth. Take whatever steps are necessary to keep your smile safe from infection; it could end up saving your life.

About the Practice

At Bethel Dental, we offer same-day emergency appointments for patients suffering from severe toothaches. Thanks to our highly trained dentists and state-of-the-art technology, we can offer several solutions for dental infections, including root canal therapy. To schedule a consultation with us, visit our website.