Is a Tooth Infection Really Dangerous?

A little over a week ago, I broke a back tooth. It had been decaying a bit so it was likely weak anyway. It wasn’t too long after that the tooth started hurting. Now the pain has spread. First to the cheek, now it is moving up to my temple. I was hoping it was a sinus infection. I’ve had those before and was able to wait them out. A friend told me it was more likely a tooth infection. When I said I could wait that out, too, she told me that waiting out dental infections is dangerous. Is she right? The thing is I am not that keen on dentists and would rather avoid them whenever possible, which I do know is why I ended up with the decay to begin with. I’ll take the lecture if it’s necessary to get the answer I need.

James

Dear James,

I glad you wrote. Be assured I will not be lecturing you. In fact, I’d rather make sure you get the help you need while dealing with the dental anxiety issue. There are a large number of people who face dental anxiety, so don’t feel alone or embarrassed about that. The great news is that there is an easy solution.

I recommend that you see a dentist who offers sedation services for anxious patients. There are different levels of sedation. I’d recommend the middle or top option when you’re doing the hard work and getting caught up on your oral health care, then for your upkeep you can do something light. This will allow you to get your mouth healthy and clean in an anxiety-free/pain-free way.

A Tooth Infection is Dangerous

In answer to your original question, yes, a tooth infection is serious. People die every year from untreated tooth infections, thinking they can put off treatment or it will go away on its own. It won’t. There are two ways to get rid of a tooth infection. The first is a root canal treatment. This is the preferred way to deal with the infection because it saves your tooth. The second is having the tooth extracted. I would only recommend that if absolutely necessary because it means you’d also need to replace the tooth.

I would take this seriously. It has already spread past your cheek. In fact, I’d consider it a dental emergency. You do not want to wait and allow it to spread to your brain, or work downwards and spread to your heart or lungs.

This blog is sponsored by a compassionate dentist in San Antonio Dr. Scott Janse, now with a new option for affordable root canal treatments.