A severe tooth infection is not to be taken lightly. An infection that begins in the tooth can quickly spread to the rest of the body, causing serious complications, up to and including death. People die every year from infections that begin in their teeth.
The good news is that infections in the tooth are very treatable. The worst cases of tooth infections generally happen because people don’t see a doctor quickly enough. If you can come in and see us right away, we can get you the care you need and you should have little to worry about.
Absolute Dental is your premier dentist in Carson City, offering same-day emergency appointments for issues such as tooth infections. If you suspect you may have an infection in your tooth, give us a call and we can get you in to see a doctor right away.
Don’t wait until the problem becomes bigger than it needs to be. The sooner you can come see us, the sooner we can relieve your pain and ensure complications don’t get out of control.
Contact our Absolute Dental team in Las Vegas at (844) 8-SMILE-NOW or fill out the form to make an appointment today!
A tooth infection happens when bacteria invade the soft, inner part of your teeth, called pulp. As opposed to the hard outer shell of your teeth, the pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. It is these blood vessels that can carry infection to the rest of the body, and why tooth infections can be so dangerous.
An infection can develop for many reasons. One of the most common is when the hard outer layer of the teeth is damaged by injury or decay. Severe tooth decay (known colloquially as a cavity) can allow bacteria to enter the pulp of the tooth. Likewise, for injuries.
An infected tooth generally will not heal without medical intervention. If you have any symptoms of a tooth infection, it’s imperative to see a dentist before the infection begins to spread throughout your body. If caught early, tooth infections are generally easy to deal with and cost much less than waiting for a general infection.
Take advantage of our latest offer and enjoy $125 off dental services totaling $300 or more. At Absolute Dental, we’re committed to providing expert, affordable care that puts your smile first. Book your appointment today and experience quality dental solutions tailored to your needs!
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Absolute Dental is a preferred provider for most insurances, unions, and hotels that include: Aetna, Ameritas, Boon-Chapman, Caesars Palace, Cigna, Delta Dental, Diversified, Geha, Guardian, Harrah’s, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), Humana, Liberty, Met-Life, MGM-MIRAGE, Premier Access, The Standard, Station Casinos, Teachers Health Trust, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Venetian, and The Zenith. We also accept Medicaid.
If you do not see your dental insurance listed here, just give us a call to confirm!
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Infected Tooth?
Symptoms of a tooth infection vary depending on the location of the infected tooth, the severity of the infection, your unique anatomy, etc. Some people experience severe pain, while others only have a mild ache.
Symptoms can include the following:
A toothache that doesn’t go away
Throbbing pain in the tooth, jaw, or mouth
Pain when biting or chewing
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Swelling in the gums or around the jaw
Redness or discoloration of the gums around the infected tooth
A small pocket of pus around the tooth, called an abscess
Bad breath
A bad taste in the mouth
There are also some symptoms you should watch out for that can indicate the infection is spreading throughout your body. Among the most important is fever. If you have persistent toothache and fever, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Other indications of a spreading infection can include swollen lymph nodes, swelling around the face and jaw, and general malaise.
Can You Have a Tooth Infection Without Pain?
In some cases, yes, you can have a tooth infection without pain. In some cases, an infection can develop slowly with symptoms that are easy to overlook, or you may think is another issue, like gum disease. In other cases, an infection or dental trauma can destroy or weaken nerves, leading to a lack of pain.
If you have any concerning symptoms that suggest you may have an infection, such as swelling, an abscess, or a fever, it’s important that you receive medical attention.
Can a Tooth Infection Go Away on Its Own? What Happens if a Tooth Infection is Left Untreated?
In the vast majority of cases, no, a tooth infection will not go away on its own. In some cases, symptoms may even temporarily improve, leading to a false sense of security.
Without treatment, bacteria can remain in the tooth pulp and spread to other areas of the body. Typically, anti-bacterial medication, along with other procedures, such as fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy, is needed to fully cure the infection.
Left untreated, a tooth infection can even become deadly. Since bacteria have a relatively easy time spreading to the rest of the body from the teeth, an infection that begins in the tooth can result in a serious condition known as sepsis, which is a body-wide infection. People die every year from infections that begin in their teeth, and they should be taken extremely seriously.
How Are Tooth Infections Treated?
The good news is that tooth infections are generally very treatable by modern dentistry, as long as you see us before the infection begins to spread throughout the body.
Antibiotic drugs are one line of defense. These drugs can help kill the bacteria causing the infection to spread. Usually, however, these drugs are used in combination with one or more treatments to ensure the medication can make it to the infection, and the infection doesn’t happen again.
Root canal therapy is often used to treat tooth infections. Contrary to popular belief, this procedure is used to relieve pain, not cause more of it. A root canal removes infected pulp and nerves within the teeth, allowing the natural tooth to remain in place.
The dentist also needs to fix the reason the tooth became infected in the first place. This may mean getting a filling, having a dental restoration, like a crown, or in the worst-case scenario, an extraction.
Extraction will only be necessary if your tooth is too damaged to restore otherwise. If this is the case, Absolute Dental offers several restoration options, from dentures to near indistinguishable tooth replacements at your convenience.
In each case, your Absolute Dental dentist will discuss treatment with you and recommend the best course of action, based on your unique situation.
Can Antibiotics Cure a Tooth Infection?
Antibiotics are an important part of the solution, but they generally are not acceptable on their own. Your dentist must eliminate the original source of the infection, or else the medicine will not be able to reach the infection, or the infection will likely return in the future.
Antibiotics should only ever be taken as directed by a doctor or dentist. Our dentists are able to prescribe antibiotics when needed, and if you do need them, you won’t have to make a separate appointment.
How Can Absolute Dental Help With Tooth Infections in Carson City?
While tooth infections can be scary, help is available at Absolute Dental in Carson City. We can ease your pain, fix any underlying problem that may be causing your infection, and get you back on the path to spectacular oral health.
We take most major forms of dental insurance, and for those without, we offer a number of financing options and payment plans. We want to ensure everyone in our community gets the dental care they deserve.
However, you can’t wait. Time is of the essence when it comes to a tooth infection, and the sooner you call us, the sooner we can get you the help you need.
Signs of a tooth infection include persistent pain in the tooth, pain when biting or chewing, tooth sensitivity, swollen or tender gums, an abscess, persistent bad breath, or a foul taste in the mouth.
In the vast majority of cases, no, a toothache will not go away on its own and requires medical treatment. Without medical treatment, a toothache can even become a body-wide infection, which can be deadly.
As soon as you discover signs of a tooth infection, you should contact Absolute Dental. Everybody is different and a number of factors can contribute to infection spreading throughout your body.
