Dental Infection

When bacteria invade your teeth and surrounding tissues, a dental infection takes place. It causes pain, inflammation and might become more complicated if not treated timely. Gum disease, untreated cavities and dental trauma are often common causes of dental infections. You must seek prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent the spread of the infection and resist it from turning into severe health risk.

What is dental infection?

Tooth injuries, decays or cavities can cause bacteria to penetrate your tooth pulp, the inner part of your tooth with blood vessels and nerves. This can ultimately result in dental infection. Infection in the tooth pulp can gradually spread to your dental roots or surrounding tissues, leading to inflammation or abscess. Early intervention is essential to prevent further spreading of the infection.  

Dental Infection: Common Symptoms

You can easily recognise a dental infection by the following symptoms:

• Severe toothache: Throbbing, persistent pain gradually progressing towards the ear, neck or jaw.
• Swelling: Swelling of the face, especially the gums, around your affected tooth.
• Sensitivity: An uncomfortable sensation towards cold, hot, sweet or sour.
• Foul smell or taste: Having a bad breath with a foul odour or getting a consistent foul taste in your mouth.
• Fever: Rise in body temperature indicates spreading of infection.
• Pus or abscess: Discharge of pus or abscess form your mouth.

Dental Infection: Causes

Several reasons contribute to a dental infection such as:

• Untreated cavities: Cavities, if not treated, gradually spread up to your tooth pulp and lead to infection.
• Gum disease: Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease leading to your gum infection.
• Dental trauma: As a broken or cracked tooth exposes your inner dental layers to bacteria, there are high risks of infection.
• Poor oral hygiene: Inadequate cleaning of mouth, irregular brushing and flossing are major factors resulting in infection.

Dental Infection Treatment

Effective management of dental infection requires timely treatment. Some common treatment options include:

• Antibiotics: If you are having a localised infection, antibiotics can be effective in controlling the infection and eliminating the bacteria as well.
• Root canal treatment: If your infection reaches up to the dental pulp, root canal treatment is used to remove the infected tissue inside your teeth.
• Tooth extraction: In some case your infected tooth cannot be saved at all. Extraction of the tooth becomes the only option to prevent further spread of infection.
• Drainage of abscess: If your gum infection has already formed an abscess or pus, you need to drain it out to clear the infection.

Dental Infection Prevention

The best way of prevention is maintaining a good oral hygiene. Some other tips include:

• Regular brushing and flossing: Proper oral care routine prevents build-up of bacteria.
• Early treatment of cavities: Never make delays in treating cavities and infections.
• Regular dental check-ups: Consider visiting your dentist at least 2 times a year for routine check-ups and early detection of problems.
• Avoid dental trauma: If you are engaged in contact sports, practise using a mouth guard to protect your teeth from any kind of injury.

Why choose us?

Our professional dentists are committed to handle dental infection patients with expert care. You can get prompt solutions at our clinic which offer you quick relief from your symptoms. Our dentists also use advanced technologies to make your treatment process more efficient.