A tooth infection can be scary as it’s associated with throbbing pain and difficulty eating and drinking until you find relief in a dentist’s chair. However, many deny their tooth infection’s severity, believing it might get better or doesn’t warrant a professional dental visit.
So, suppose you’re wondering how long a tooth infection can go untreated. In that case, the answer is that the timeline for how long a tooth infection can go untreated without severe complications depends on each person’s immune system, the type of bacteria, and the severity of the infection. While some people experience rapid deterioration within days or weeks, others might manage symptoms for an extended period.
In this blog, we will learn about the dangers of tooth infection and the signs that you shouldn’t ignore.
The Dangers of Untreated Tooth Infections
Tooth infections aren’t just painful. If they are not treated immediately, they can have severe consequences. They usually lead to a dental abscess, a painful pocket of pus made with white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria.
It’s important not to ignore these signs of infection, as they can worsen and spread to surrounding tissues or even enter the bloodstream. This can lead to systematic infections such as cellulitis or sepsis, which can prove fatal.
Moreover, untreated tooth infections can damage the surrounding bone and gum tissue, eventually leading to tooth loss.
How Are Tooth Infections Treated?
Fortunately, dental infections are highly treatable, especially if caught in their earlier stages. Antibiotics are prescribed to combat bacterial infections and prevent them from spreading. For small abscesses, dentists make an incision to drain pus and relieve pressure.
Usually, severe infections require root canal therapy to remove the infected pulp tissue from inside the tooth and seal it to prevent reinfection. In cases where the tooth is too damaged to save, extraction may be required.
Signs You Have A Tooth Infection
Infected teeth are more common than you think and can often go undetected. The WHO says that tooth decay in permanent teeth is the most common health condition. This means that dental infections are prevalent and can often go unnoticed. Here are signs of a tooth infection that you should look out for.
- Persistent toothache or prolonged pain when biting
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Swollen gums or parts of the face near the tooth
- Bad breath and unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Unexplained fever and fatigue
- A pimple-like bump on the gums
End Note
How long a tooth infection goes untreated depends on an individual’s tolerance and immune system; some people can leave an infected tooth untreated for weeks or months without immediate consequences.
The risks associated with untreated infections are significant and life-threatening. Infected teeth require just one or two dental appointments to relieve your pain and get treated, so seeking professional dental care is recommended before your infection escalates.
If you or your loved ones have an infected tooth, you can trust the dental professionals at Smile Designs Dentistry of Manteca for effective treatment. To make an appointment, contact us at Manteca (209) 780-4777 or Pleasanton (925) 234-4421.