Tooth infections can cause many symptoms, and while mild infections can typically get treated with a simple filling, more advanced infections — or dental abscesses — may need advanced care to prevent the infection from spreading and save the tooth.
The Dr Taylor’s Family Dental Center team helps patients find relief for tooth infections, focusing on state-of-the-art treatments to protect oral health and prevent further complications. In this post, learn what telltale signs could mean you have an infection that needs immediate treatment.
Even a mild toothache isn’t typical, but if you have severe throbbing or stabbing pain, it’s often a sign of a more serious problem, like a tooth abscess. Tooth infections can cause continual pain or pain that’s triggered when you bite, chew, or put pressure on the affected tooth or even neighboring teeth. You might have pain in your jaw, too.
Tooth infections tend to be deep, affecting the nerves in the central part of the tooth or the tooth pulp. As the disease progresses, nerves become irritated. Even mild temperature changes can increase pain and discomfort. Hot or cold drinks, foods, and even cold air can trigger pain in the affected tooth.
Tooth infections involve inflammation, which in turn causes noticeable swelling in the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. You might also have gum bleeding or redness in the area. As the infection advances, swelling can spread to your cheek, making your jawline appear puffy.
Your teeth, ears, and sinuses are very close to each other. When an infection reaches the deeper gum tissue or spreads to your jaw, you can experience ear pain or pain in your sinuses and pockets behind your nose, cheeks, and forehead. Some infections can spread to your sinuses, too.
The germs that cause infections release smelly gases and toxins as they multiply and spread. When you breathe, these gases are released into the air, causing bad breath that persists despite brushing and flossing. Pus draining into your mouth can cause a sour or foul taste.
Neck pain or swollen lymph nodes in your neck, below your jaw, or around your ears can be signs of an infection spreading to other areas. Your lymph nodes may be tender to the touch, and you may have a fever or a general feeling of being unwell.
Tooth infections require prompt dental treatment to relieve painful symptoms and prevent more serious and widespread diseases. To find out what’s causing your tooth symptoms and what we can do to help, call 248-681-8100 or request an appointment online at Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center in Waterford, Michigan, today.
