Tooth Infection in North Las Vegas: Symptoms, Treatment, and Emergency Care
A tooth infection is the bacterial invasion of the tooth pulp, leading to inflammation and potentially a pus-filled pocket, known as a dental abscess. A tooth infection is often a very serious condition and should not be taken lightly. Many people die around the world each year because of infections that start with their teeth.
A tooth infection is different from routine tooth sensitivity. It usually presents as a deep, throbbing pain, lasts for more than a few hours, and often comes with other symptoms. If you do have an infection, prompt emergency dental care is essential to prevent serious, life-threatening complications.
In most cases, tooth infections start with severe tooth decay. Tooth decay happens when plaque and tartar destroy the tooth enamel, allowing bacteria to reach the inner pulp chamber of the tooth. The best way to protect against plaque and tartar is by following good oral health guidelines.
Common entry points for bacteria include deep cavities, failed dental work, and other forms of decay or trauma. Gum disease can also permit infections to track from the gums down into the tooth roots.
In addition to following good oral health guidelines, such as brushing your teeth twice per day and flossing in the evening, avoiding sugary snacks and drinks helps reduce the decay that leads to these infections. You should also always see a dentist for a cleaning and checkup every six months or as directed.
Symptoms of a Tooth Infection You Shouldn’t Ignore
The most common symptom of a tooth infection is a severe, persistent, throbbing, or sharp toothache. This is often among the first noticeable tooth infection symptoms. If it persists for more than a couple of hours, it should not be ignored.
Other symptoms include:
Sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers longer than normal sensitivity.
Pain when biting or applying pressure to the tooth.
A dental abscess is a visible, unstable, tender gum boil that may intermittently release foul-tasting pus. This sign should never be ignored.
Additionally, if you develop a fever or swollen lymph nodes, this indicates that the infection is worsening. If you develop a fever, you should visit a doctor immediately.
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When Does a Tooth Infection Become a Dental Emergency?
Recognizing when a tooth infection becomes a dental emergency is crucial for prompt treatment and overall health.
These symptoms suggest the infection is spreading beyond the tooth to surrounding tissues or the bloodstream. Untreated tooth infections can progress rapidly and lead to serious health complications, such as sepsis or airway obstruction, requiring immediate medical or dental attention.
How Dentists Diagnose an Infected Tooth
If you believe you may have a tooth infection, your dentist will perform a clinical exam to diagnose the condition. Your dentist will then use a number of methods to determine if your tooth is infected, including palpation (feeling), percussion (tapping), and thermal tests to assess the vitality of the tooth pulp.
Periapical X-rays are also taken to identify bone involvement and locate abscesses at the tip of the tooth root. Professional diagnosis is necessary to map the extent of the infection spread and formulate a precise treatment plan.
Regular checkups with your dentist are vital because at these appointments, your dental team can monitor your mouth for early signs of infection before they become emergencies.
Treatment Options for Tooth Infections
In every case, professional treatment is necessary to manage tooth infections. Your dentist may use a number of techniques to treat the infection.
This includes:
Incision and drainage: This technique involves making a small incision to allow pus to escape, cleaning the area, and providing quick pain relief.
Root canal treatment: A root canal is a procedure designed to save the natural tooth by removing the diseased pulp tissue, cleaning the canals, and sealing the tooth.
Tooth extraction: If your tooth is too damaged to be saved, the appropriate tooth infection treatment is often extraction. Post extraction, Absolute Dental can provide many options for replacing your teeth, including dental implants.
Antibiotics: Systemic antibiotics may be prescribed if the infection has spread to other teeth, gum tissue, or causes a fever.
We Accept Most Dental Insurance
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!
The risks of an untreated tooth infection are serious and can even result in death, if not taken care of promptly and properly.
This risk to life is due to severe systematic risks associated with infection. An infection from a tooth can easily spread into the bloodstream, allowing the infection to spread to the heart, brain, or lungs.
An untreated dental abscess can also damage oral tissues and cause bone loss, eventually leading to tooth loss.
Individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and those undergoing cancer treatment, are at higher risk for severe complications. In addition, those with certain systematic medical conditions, like diabetes, are also at greater risk.
How To Prevent Future Tooth Infections
The best way to prevent future tooth infections is by practicing good oral health.
You should always brush your teeth twice per day, in the morning before you eat breakfast and at night before going to bed. Always use fluoride toothpaste endorsed by the American Dental Association as well.
You should also always floss between teeth daily with dental floss or interdental brushes to remove plaque and food particles that brushing misses.
Finally, always maintain routine dental visits every six months for professional cleanings and early detection of cavities or minor tooth fractures that can allow infection.
Get Emergency Dental Care for Tooth Infections in North Las Vegas
If you are experiencing severe tooth pain or swelling in the face or neck, do not wait to contact Absolute Dental for an emergency appointment. Prompt treatment saves teeth and prevents further health complications.
Absolute Dental offers emergency services, root canals, and tooth extractions to relieve pain fast. We take almost all forms of major insurance, and for those concerned about payment, we offer generous payment plans and financing.
Don’t allow a tooth infection to threaten your smile or your life. Contact our North Las Vegas office immediately by phone or schedule online for an emergency evaluation.
The most common symptom of a tooth infection is deep, throbbing, or stabbing pain in the tooth. Other symptoms include an abscess in the gums near the tooth, swelling in the face or neck, and pain when biting or chewing. If you develop a fever or your lymph nodes become swollen, these are signs that the infection is spreading, and you should see a dentist immediately.
In general, no, tooth infections require professional intervention. If you suspect you may have a tooth infection, see a dentist immediately. They can not only treat your pain quickly but treat the underlying cause of the infection as well.
In some cases, antibiotics may be needed to treat a tooth infection, but because most tooth infections happen due to tooth decay, your dentist will need to treat your tooth as well.
