Have I Got a Dental Infection? Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

Whenever your body faces an infection, it does its best to fight it. Your immune system kicks in, and you’ll often feel worse before you feel better. Sometimes, an infection will require medical intervention. This is no different when the infection affects your teeth. 

Just like the rest of your body, your teeth can actually become infected, too. This is because there are living cells inside each tooth. Dental infections are never comfortable, and the symptoms are frequently unbearable. Treatment is essential. 

But you can have a toothache without an infection. So, how do you know whether it is an infection? And what can you do to avoid infections in the future?

In this article, we’ll provide the basic facts about the causes and symptoms of infection and how they can be prevented or treated. 

What Causes Dental Infections?

Inside your mouth, there are always numerous different types of bacteria. Some help your body, while others have the potential to cause harm. You’ll always have bacteria in your mouth, and that’s normal. The trick is managing the bacteria which could impact your health. 

This harmful bacteria can form plaque, a sticky substance that coats your mouth. The bacteria then feed on sugar from your food and turn it into acid. This acid erodes and weakens your teeth, causing cavities. 

Although plaque acid can cause cavities, you can also damage the outer surfaces of your teeth through injury. 

Untreated cavities or damage from trauma allow bacteria to penetrate deeper into teeth. Once the bacteria reaches the inner “pulp chamber,” an area filled with living tissue, it can cause infections. 

As the infection develops, the cells nearby become inflamed. This is part of the body’s natural immune response. However, this can press against the nerve endings in your tooth, leading to considerable pain. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Dental Infection?

Although toothaches are a leading sign of an infection, you may also experience them for other reasons. Sensitivity and shooting pains when you eat or drink anything that’s too cold or hot could indicate you have thin enamel or a cavity. A toothache can also mean you need to have a filling. 

The other symptoms to look for include swelling in the gums and cheeks nearest the infected tooth, bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, pus around the tooth’s root, or the tooth turning grey or black. In some cases, the tooth may also feel loose.

How Are Infections Treated?

If you have the symptoms mentioned above, you should book a dental appointment soon. If we examine your tooth and find evidence of an infection, we will perform a root canal treatment. 

Root canal treatments get their name from the channels filled with dental pulp, which run into the lowest part of your tooth. The procedure cleans all infected matter from inside these canals and the pulp chamber at the core of your tooth. 

Although you might feel concerned about receiving a root canal treatment, this routine procedure is painless and performed under a local anaesthetic. It will also immediately stop any discomfort you’re experiencing. 

What Happens If a Dental Infection Is Not Treated?

There are many reasons why you might avoid treatment. You may feel anxious, worry about the cost, or simply be unable to fit the appointment into your busy schedule. 

You must make time for treatment. Without treatment, you could lose your tooth. Infections that spread from the tooth could cause an abscess to develop, which will cause even more discomfort. 

If your infection continues untreated, it may affect more teeth, gums, and jaws. In some circumstances, infections that start in the teeth can enter the bloodstream. If this happens, the infection can move to other body parts, like your heart. This could have fatal consequences. 

What Steps Can I Take to Prevent a Dental Infection? 

Infections are easily prevented. There are several simple steps you can take. Good oral hygiene is a vital first step. Although you’ve probably brushed your teeth the same way for most of your life, cutting corners and missing parts of your smile is easy. 

Clean your teeth when you wake up and just before going to bed, using a soft-head toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens your tooth enamel, while a softer brush will reduce the risk of wear and tear,  

Flossing will help you remove bacteria from between your teeth. These areas are problematic because they are often missed. If traditional dental floss doesn’t work for you, you could use interdental brushes, floss harps, or a water flosser. 

Rinsing regularly using mouthwash will also help reduce plaque buildup. Avoid using mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth, as this could wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste. Instead, rinse your mouth at other times during the day. 

Stay hydrated. Drinking small amounts of water regularly throughout the day can help keep your mouth fresh and reduce the risk of tooth decay. 

Seeing us for a dental checkup twice yearly will help us spot cavities or other damage before they need treatment. Often, these problems are reversible when caught early. Similarly, making a hygiene appointment every few months will also help. 

Finally, consider your diet and lifestyle. Bacteria feed on sugars, so restricting the amount of sugar you consume can help reduce the potential for tooth decay. If you’re a smoker, this can make you more prone to cavities and infection, as the smoke can dry your mouth and create conditions in which the bacteria will thrive and cause more damage. 

Keeping Your Smile Healthy at Durham Dental

Infections can occur when bacteria enter a compromised tooth. The effects of infection can lead to severe or lasting complications, so it’s essential to seek our help promptly. 

Whether you’re experiencing the symptoms of an infection or want to protect your smile for the future, we can help. 

Contact us today to book your next appointment.