How Do You Know if Your Tooth Is Infected? Signs and Next Steps

Key Takeaways:

• Many Americans are not familiar with tooth infections or equate them with tooth decay, which is responsible for dental cavities.
• Also known as a “dental abscess,” a tooth infection is caused by harmful bacteria invading the tooth pulp or surrounding gum or bone tissue. 
• Delayed treatment for a tooth infection can result in significant damage to teeth, gums, and jawbone and cause medical complications in other parts of the body. 
• Preventative measures and early treatment are the best means of keeping tooth infection at bay. 
• The Southwest Florida dentists at Island Tower Dentistry monitor all patients for tooth infection and provide emergency dental services for those suffering from severe oral infections.  

Introduction

You’re undoubtedly familiar with dental cavities, as about 90% of American adults have at least one dental filling, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s oral health reporting. You may not be as familiar with a tooth infection, or perhaps just mistakenly assume it’s the tooth decay that causes cavities. However, you should educate yourself about tooth infections, as they pose a significant oral health risk that can lead to emergency room treatment and possible hospitalization. 

According to several studies conducted over the past decade, between 200,000 and 400,000 Americans seek emergency room treatment for tooth infections annually, resulting in approximately 125,000 hospitalizations. Meanwhile, dentists annually treat a significant number of milder tooth infections before they become an emergency. A considerable number of people experience mild tooth infections that are treated by dentists.

Experienced dentists, like those of Southwest Florida’s Island Tower Dentistry, always assess their patients for signs of tooth infection so that they can begin treatment before the infection can damage oral tissues or threaten a patient’s overall health. Unless uncovered by your dentist or causing a medical emergency, how can you determine if your tooth is infected? Let’s take a closer look at the signs, risks, treatment, and prevention of a tooth infection.

What Is a Tooth Infection?

Also known as a “dental abscess” or “odontogenic infection,” a tooth infection is caused by bacteria invading the tooth pulp or surrounding gum tissue, typically due to untreated decay, uncontrolled gum disease, poor oral hygiene, cracked teeth, or other trauma. When left untreated, the harmful bacteria cause a buildup of pus, swelling, significant pain, and other potentially more severe complications if allowed to fester for too long. Dentists categorize tooth infections as:

• Periapical abscess—located at the tip of the tooth root and caused by untreated decay that leaks harmful bacteria into the pulp. 
• Periodontal abscess—forms in the gums or supporting bone due to advanced gum disease or when food particles get trapped under the gum line or within dental fillings, crowns, or bridges. 
• Gingival abscess—bacterial infection only affecting the gum tissue, typically caused by localized trauma or food particles trapped in the gum line.    

How Do You Know if Your Tooth Is Infected?

If you experience a severe, throbbing toothache that radiates towards the jaw, ear, or neck, you should seek immediate emergency dental care. While the pain could be the result of a dental cavity that has reached the tooth’s root, it could also be symptomatic of a tooth infection. Other signs that may indicate that your tooth is infected include: 

• Swelling in the gums, face, or cheek.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold.
• Chewing pressure pain.
• Redness or pus discharge in the vicinity of the affected area.
• Fever or feeling unwell.
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes under the jaw or neck. 
• Bad breath or foul taste in the mouth.

Why Ignoring a Tooth Infection Is Dangerous

Diagnosing and treating a tooth infection early is the best means of preventing it from causing damage to teeth, gums, and supporting bone structure, and ensuring that it doesn’t spread elsewhere or cause more severe complications. An untreated tooth infection can lead to:

• Tooth loss caused by irreversible damage.
• Destruction of jawbone tissue around the tooth.
• Facial cellulitis, a diffuse bacterial infection that causes the face to swell.
• Ludwig’s angina, a potentially life-threatening infection of the floor of the mouth.
• Sepsis, a potentially fatal systemic infection spread through the bloodstream.
• Meningitis, caused by bacterial spread into the brain. 
• Cavernous sinus thrombosis, a rare but life-threatening condition affecting the brain, caused by bacterial-induced blood clotting. 

Treatment Options for a Tooth Infection

The extent of treatment needed to treat a tooth infection depends on several factors, including the severity of the infection, its location, and the degree of bacterial intrusion. Generally speaking, if the infection seems mild and has been caught early, a course of antibiotics may resolve it. On the other hand, if the severity of the infection suggests a dental emergency, you may need more extensive treatment, including:

• Dental abscess drainage. 
• Root canal therapy to save the tooth.
• A Dental crown to restore strength after a root canal.
• Tooth extraction.

The dentists at Island Tower Dentistry strive to minimize the damage and ensure the comfort of their Marco Island-area patients who require treatment for a tooth infection. Whenever possible, they try to eliminate the infection with antibiotics and other minimally invasive therapies and preserve as much of the natural tissues as possible when more invasive treatment is needed. Our goals are to preserve the patient’s smile, restore their oral health, and optimize comfort.   

How to Prevent a Tooth Infection

As with other elements of oral health care, proactive preventive efforts go a long way in keeping tooth infection at bay. For example, daily vigilance with brushing and flossing reduces harmful bacteria levels in the mouth. Professional dental cleaning can further reduce bacterial pockets that escape brushing and flossing, while dental exams can identify emergent signs of possible infection. Delaying treatment for other dental issues, such as cavities, chips, cracks, or gum disease, can significantly enhance the risk of tooth infection. Other tooth infection prevention tips include: 

• Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks, as they promote bacterial growth.
• Stay hydrated, as drinking water washes away food particles.
• If you smoke, quitting will improve saliva flow, which naturally fights bacteria.
• Wear a mouthguard while playing sports or if you grind your teeth at night to prevent cracks or chips that may allow bacterial intrusion.    

Concerned About Oral Infection? Contact Island Tower Dentistry

If you think you might have a tooth infection, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. In Marco Island, Florida, our dental team prioritizes appointments for those suspecting tooth infection. If the level of infection is causing significant pain, don’t hesitate to contact us after hours for emergency dental care. If you’re experiencing fever and have other signs that the infection may be spreading, our professionals may recommend that you go to the emergency room. 

For emergency dentistry and all of your oral health care in the Marco Island, Florida, area, contact Island Tower Dentistry at 239-394-1004 to schedule an appointment. 

FAQs: How Do You Know if Your Tooth Is Infected?

Q: Can a tooth infection go away on its own?
A: No, a tooth infection will not heal on its own. While pain may temporarily subside, the underlying disease will continue to spread. Left untreated, it can move into the jawbone, facial tissues, or even the bloodstream, creating serious health risks. Professional dental treatment is the only way to eliminate a tooth infection.

Q: How fast do tooth infections spread?
A: Tooth infections can spread surprisingly quickly. In some cases, bacteria can move from the infected tooth into surrounding tissues within days. The speed of progression depends on your overall health, immune system, and the severity of the infection. This is why seeking dental care at the first signs of infection is critical.

Q: Will antibiotics alone cure a tooth infection?
A: Antibiotics can help control or temporarily reduce infection, but they do not address the root cause. Once the medication wears off, symptoms often return. The infection source, such as decayed pulp, must be treated with procedures like a root canal or extraction to achieve lasting relief.

Q: What happens if a tooth infection is left untreated?
A: An untreated tooth infection can lead to severe pain, abscess formation, bone loss, and tooth loss. In advanced cases, bacteria may enter the bloodstream, causing sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition. Prompt dental treatment prevents these complications and preserves your health.

Q: How do dentists treat a tooth infection?
A: Treatment depends on the severity. Options include root canal therapy to remove infected pulp, crowns to restore tooth strength, or extraction if the tooth cannot be saved. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to control infection before or after dental treatment.

Q: Can you prevent a tooth infection?
A: Yes. Daily brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups, and addressing cavities or gum issues early are the best defenses. Wearing a mouthguard during sports and avoiding habits like chewing ice or using teeth as tools can also reduce the risk of damage that may lead to infection.