A tooth infection may start small, but left untreated it can become one of the most serious oral health problems you’ll ever face. These infections don’t just affect a single tooth — they can damage your jaw, your health, and even your life if they’re ignored. Here’s how to understand what’s happening and why you should see a dentist sooner rather than later.
What Is a Tooth Infection?
A tooth infection — often called a dental abscess — occurs when harmful bacteria reach the innermost part of your tooth (the pulp) and begin multiplying. This happens most often from:
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Deep decay (cavities)
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A cracked or chipped tooth
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Gum disease that lets bacteria migrate down the root
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Trauma to the tooth that exposes the pulp
Once bacteria get down into that soft tissue, your body responds with inflammation and pus, creating painful pressure inside the tooth. This is not something your immune system can easily fight on its own because the blood supply inside a tooth is limited.
Common Symptoms of a Tooth Infection
If you think you might have an infection, watch for:
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Persistent, throbbing tooth pain
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Sensitivity to hot, cold or pressure
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Swelling of gums, face or jaw
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Bad taste or smell in your mouth
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Fever or swollen lymph nodes under the jaw
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An obvious gum bump or abscess near the affected tooth
These are classic warning signs that infection has moved beyond a simple cavity and into a deeper problem that won’t resolve without dental care.
Why It Needs Immediate Attention
Some toothaches come and go, but an infection that reaches the pulp won’t go away on its own — it will only get worse. Simple sugar-related decay can escalate into a full-blown abscess.
Here’s what can happen if you ignore it:
Spread to Nearby Teeth & Bone
The infection doesn’t stay confined. It can spread to adjacent teeth, the jawbone, and the periodontal ligament that holds your teeth in place. Bone loss around the infected area becomes possible, making future treatments more complicated.
Tooth Loss
An untreated infection weakens the tooth and its supporting bone. In many cases, the tooth becomes unsalvageable and must be extracted.
Serious Health Risks
Infections can enter your bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This may lead to serious, potentially life-threatening conditions such as:
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Sepsis — a dangerous whole-body infection
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Endocarditis — infection of the heart lining
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Sinus infections or spread into the sinus cavities
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Infections of the neck, jaw or even brain
In rare, documented cases, untreated dental infections have resulted in death.
How Dentists Treat Tooth Infections
The goal of treatment is to eliminate infection, preserve your tooth when possible, and protect your health. Depending on the severity, treatment typically includes:
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Root Canal Therapy: Removes infected tissue and saves your tooth
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Draining the Abscess: Relieves pressure and pain
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Antibiotics: Used if the infection is spreading
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Extraction: When the tooth is too damaged to save
These treatments are far less invasive than the complications that can arise when an infection is left to worsen.
Early Care Means Better Outcomes
A tooth infection doesn’t start with intense pain — it starts with neglect. Routine dental checkups, early fillings for cavities, timely treatment of cracks, and good oral hygiene all help prevent bacteria from gaining a foothold in the first place.
If you’re experiencing persistent pain or swelling, don’t wait — call us today. Treating a tooth infection early can save your tooth, protect your health, and prevent a small problem from becoming a serious one.