Dental infections can be very severe and cause severe pain. That is why it is important that you know the type of infections that can occur in your mouth and their consequences.
Dental pain is one of the strongest and most unbearable pains there is.
This pain will in most cases be caused by an infectious process. And assessing and treating it will not only be key to ending the pain. But it will be crucial to preserve this tooth and your oral health.
Why can a tooth get infected?In this article we will tell you what the causes and consequences of dental infections can be and how you should act to treat a mouth infection.
I have a dental infection. What should I do?
Dental pain is one of the most severe and unbearable pains there is.
This pain in most cases will be originated by an infectious process, and assessing and treating it, will not only be key to end the pain, but will be crucial to preserve this tooth, our oral and general health.
In this article we will tell you what can be the causes of a dental infection and how you should act in front of it.
What are the main causes and symptoms of dental infections?
Dental infection is caused by an increase in bacteria and these can be due to different dental and oral causes or pathologies. The main causes of mouth infections range from a cavity, a problem in your gums, to a trauma or a dental treatment that has failed.
Dental infection caused by advanced caries
Tooth decay is caused by acid produced by bacteria on the teeth. Over time, the acid erodes the enamel and destroys the tooth. When tooth decay affects the nerve of the tooth it causes an infection in the mouth that can be very painful.
Caries is an infectious, contagious and multi-factorial dental disease that if it is not treated in time can cause not only an infectious process, but also the premature loss of the tooth.
If the caries affects only the enamel or the dentin of the tooth, the treatment to be carried out will be a filling. If the caries also affects the dental nerve or pulp, an endodontic treatment or root canal/s must be carried out.
The infectious process caused by a dental caries may affect all the dental structures and even the alveolar bone that supports the tooth.
This infection will cause bone resorption or loss of bone which may complicate the subsequent rehabilitation of the area in question. Therefore, if you have a dental cavity, you should go to your dentist without delay and it should be treated quickly.
Infection caused by a pulpitis
Pulpitis is an inflammation of the pulp of the tooth. It occurs when tooth decay reaches the nerve, although it can also occur in cases of trauma or tooth fractures. Symptoms include moderate pain that comes and goes, especially strong when a cold liquid comes in contact with your tooth.
Mouth infection caused by gum disease
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum caused in most cases by an accumulation of tartar, i.e. calcified bacterial plaque that has not been properly removed.
Periodontitis is usually caused by an untreated gingivitis and is a chronic pathology that if not treated correctly can cause the premature loss of teeth.
These two diseases are caused by bacteria and have inflammation that if not treated correctly, will lead to an infectious process. It is very important to treat these two pathologies correctly and periodically in the dental office.
In very severe cases, periodontitis can cause a periodontal abscess. The most common symptoms are redness of the gum, sensitivity and swelling.
Infection of the mouth caused by wisdom teeth
Pericoronitis is an infection that occurs when food particles and bacteria get inside the gums that partially cover the wisdom teeth. It is especially common when third molars erupt. The main symptom is pain, redness, and infection of the gum around the unfinished wisdom tooth.
Dental shock or trauma
When a tooth is knocked out it can crack or fracture. In the case of dental fissures these should be assessed in the clinic and if appropriate the tooth should be restored. Otherwise, this tooth will be more susceptible to caries and therefore, an infection.
In the case of a dental fracture, if this is at a sub-gingival level (below the gum) the tooth must be extracted. Leaving the tooth in the mouth without treatment will cause a large and problematic infection process.
If the dental fracture is at a supra-gingival level (by the gum) the tooth should be restored without delay. Always, after a trauma or blow to the mouth or teeth, we should go to the dental surgery so that your dentist can check you correctly.
Consequential Mouth Infection
A dental infection should be treated extremely quickly. The consequences of an untreated mouth infection are tooth loss and destruction of the jawbone.
The destruction and premature loss of the tooth is mostly due to the infectious process that is present.
Likewise, this dental infection may not only affect this tooth, but also the adjacent teeth and the alveolar bone that supports them.
Dental infections cause the destruction of the bone in your jawbone making it difficult to rehabilitate the area.
The area of the tooth lost prematurely, after the bone has healed, will have to be rehabilitated. The best treatment option in this case will be the placement of a dental implant.