Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
A tooth infection can be any type of infection that affects a tooth and some of the parts of oral cavity,such as the gums around the tooth. When talking about a tooth infection, it typically involves the nerves which are the center of a tooth and feeds out through the end of the tooth root. If the nerves in the tooth die or are damaged, it becomes an opening for microorganisms to enter and cause infection to the tooth as well as the surrounding areas. Any type of damage to your teeth is a precursor to a tooth infection.
Symptoms of a Tooth Infection
One of the first signs of a tooth infection is pain. The pain may vary from severe and continuous to only when you are eating or drinking foods. Other symptoms may include:
- Bad breath
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Bitter taste in your mouth
- Fever
- Swollen glands in your neck
- General uneasiness, discomfort or ill feeling
- Swelling of the upper or lower jaw
Causes of Tooth Infection
The most common cause of a tooth infection is due to damage to the nerves or pulp within the tooth and foreign substances find their way into the tooth. Eating food when you have dental decay allows the food to penetrate deep into the inner layers of the tooth, which becomes an irritant. Your body then creates an infection (abscess)to push out or collect the irritating substance. Another possible cause of tooth infection is dead cells and tissues that are not cleaned away by your body. If your body’s natural cleansing system is blocked, it may inhibit the ability to remove toxins from inside or around the tooth.
Treatment for a Tooth Infection
The type of treatment is dependent on the cause of the infection. In many situations, the best treatment is an extraction and root canal. Extraction means the removing the entire tooth, including the nerves. A root canal means the soft tissue inside the infected tooth is removed to stop the continuous supply of bacteria. The tooth will then be sealed to prevent bacteria from entering the tooth again.
The best way to prevent tooth infections is to follow proper oral hygiene, which includes brushing after each meal and flossing at least once each day. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet, which limits sugary and acidic foods that can wear away at tooth enamel. Along with practicing good oral hygiene habits, it’s extremely important to schedule routine dental visits for cleaning.
If you suspect you may have a tooth infection, contact Dr. Aller at Miracle Smile as soon as possible to schedule a thorough dental examination. In the event that you are in a great deal of pain, Miracle Smile offers emergency dental appointments for your convenience.