Taking care of your health includes the implementation of excellent oral hygiene. Dental care can contribute largely to your overall health, considering that dental hygiene issues do not just affect your mouth. More serious problems like infections can develop and lead to grave complications. Moreover, the World Health Organization says that most people experience more diseases linked with their gums or mouth instead of complications related to other parts of their bodies.
Diseases involving your mouth are the most frequent non-communicable diseases. On top of that, it negatively affects how people function daily because of the discomfort and pain. Here are some top reasons why you should never neglect dental infections.
Dental infections and their symptoms
Dental infections usually start with a toothache. A painful and aching tooth that is not getting treated will eventually become infected. When the condition stays untreated, there is a chance that it will spread to other parts of your body.
The symptoms of infected teeth can range from throbbing tooth pain, excruciating pain to the ear, neck, jawbone, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, unpleasant taste in the mouth, and fever. If this progresses, you may experience fatigue, headache, dizziness, chills, and sweating. Other than that, dental infections can also trigger face swelling, dehydration, and stomach pain. You would think that a minor problem such as toothache will be fine. Still, it can cause many complications and issues that would be irritating and uncomfortable to deal with in reality.
Dental care experts advise you to seek emergency dental care if you are experiencing severe pain or bleeding. Furthermore, fever with symptoms such as breathing problems, chest pains, seizures, continuous vomiting, unusual sensitivity to light, disorientation, and sudden skin rashes will also mean that you may need immediate medical attention.
Chances of tooth loss, decay, and cavities are high
A severe consequence that comes from dental infections is tooth loss. When the bacteria leads to a pocket of pus or abscess in your tooth, this can cause moderate to severe pain can travel to your ear and neck. In worse cases, the tooth that can no longer be saved will need to be extracted.
Cavities and tooth decay will usually go unnoticed since the process of a decaying tooth or cavity formation will not cause you any pain. However, sometimes pain can be felt when it has already become severe. For that reason, it is vital to book appointments with your dentist every once in a while.
There is a possibility of a dental injury
Sometimes, dental injuries will unknowingly emerge. Although most people experience chipping or breaking a tooth, a sudden dental injury that does not show any evidence is also possible. As these incidents go unnoticed, the smallest fracture that can be found on your tooth can be a gateway for microscopic bacteria. When this happens, the bacteria inside your tooth can lead to numerous problems that can end up becoming a toothache. Fractured and infected teeth can quickly become infected and bring about the likelihood of getting an extraction. Thus, it is better to notify your dentist when you feel even the smallest pain in your tooth.
It may lead to the development of gum disease
Most people might think that gum disease will only affect the gums, but that is not the case. Gum disease or periodontitis is a severe infection in your gums that can ruin soft tissue and tear down the bones that serve as a support for your teeth when left untreated. Gum disease will generally develop at a slow pace over time. Even worse, it will not show any symptoms whatsoever other than the slightest pain when it is just starting to develop. Most individuals will even mistake it as a mere toothache.
Not getting any treatment can result in life-threatening outcomes
During the 1900s, dental infections were known to have a mortality rate of 10% to 40%. Today, thanks to the improvement and advancement of modern dentistry, antibiotics, and dental hygiene, you can easily avoid life-threatening dental infections.
Not minding the pain and symptoms that come with dental infections will lead to more irreversible damages as time goes on. Most people might be satisfied with just using pain relievers or numbing medication. Still, an easy fix won’t do you any good in the long run.
A dental infection that comes with immense pain can spread throughout your body and get into your bloodstream. When this happens, the effects are extremely threatening to your overall health. That is why you should never take intense tooth pain lightly. We recommend you call your dentist right away to avoid fatal outcomes.
Overall, it may be said that the usual toothaches that you are experiencing may be minor. Even so, the possibility of it being a serious dental complication is still high. It is advised to practice proper dental hygiene and set up frequent appointments with your dentist to avoid irreversible damage or fatal consequences.