Dental Infections

Learn more about different types of tooth infections and treatment options.

Types of infections

Dental infections can develop in different places in the mouth for different reasons. There are three common types:

Periapical — When decay or a fracture of a tooth is present, an infection can spread into the nerve of the tooth and surrounding bone.
Gingival — This infection is a form of gum disease that does not affect your tooth or involve the supporting bone.
Periodontal — This type of infection is an advanced form of gum disease. It involves the supporting bone and tissues of a tooth.

Signs and symptoms

Dental infections may or may not be painful. However, they can become very serious. They can be diagnosed by a dentist during an exam or seen on X-rays.

An abscess may appear below the roots of a tooth or alongside the gum. The signs and symptoms of an abscess include:

A gum boil/gum pimple
Toothache
Bad breath
Bad taste in your mouth
Pressure when chewing
Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
Swelling in your cheek, face or neck (seek medical attention if you are having difficulty breathing or swallowing)

A gingival or periodontal infection typically involves red, swollen, tender and bleeding gums.

Treatment

Once your dentist diagnoses an infection, they will discuss your treatment options for the tooth/teeth and the risks and benefits of each option.

For the initial care, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to help reduce the infection and prevent spreading. In some cases, an additional course of the antibiotic or a different type may be prescribed to advance healing. While antibiotics may help, if you do not have the infection completely treated, it will remain and may flare up. Flare ups can be more painful and more resistant to antibiotics.

If you have a periapical infection, your dentist may recommend that it be drained to reduce swelling and pain.

The treatment of a dental infection will vary depending on the type, location and severity. Extractions are usually considered a last resort. For a periapical infection, root canal treatment allows you to keep your natural tooth. A full mouth debridement or scaling and root planing may be recommended for gingival and periodontal infections.

The risks of untreated dental infections

Left untreated, an infection that starts in your tooth or gums can spread to other tissues in the mouth, jawbone, your blood and even other organs. You could develop:

An infection of the skin and fatty tissue found beneath the skin (face and neck)
A bone infection, which usually starts with the bone surrounding the tooth
A secondary abscess located at the back of the mouth
An infection of the blood vessels located within the sinuses
A potential life-threatening infection of the blood that spreads to other body systems and organs—this is called sepsis
Advanced gum disease that results in a loss of bone and weakening of the supporting structures of the tooth

If you suspect you have a tooth infection, see your dentist as soon as possible. Waiting can lead to more costly care and tooth loss. If the infection spreads, it can also lead to hospitalization, organ failure and even death.

Note: The information in this article is not meant to replace the advice of your dentist or another licensed healthcare professional. Talk to your dentist for any specific dental advice.

Sources: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/gum-disease https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24573-periodontal-abscess https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/symptoms-causes/syc-20350901