If you are wondering how long until a tooth infection kills you need to be aware of the infection process, understand how it will spread, and know how to treat it. If, on the other hand, bacteria penetrate your tooth and touch the soft tissue located in the center of the tooth (this is where it is known as the pulp), then that will normally lead to an outbreak of infection.
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How long until a tooth infection kills you
As time passes, the disease does not stop here but continues, and an abscess grows around the infected tooth. This abscess is a pocket with pus and bacteria, and it will worsen. The symptoms that come along are severe, such as pain, toothache, etc.
Dental infections were a prevalent cause of death during the early days of dentistry. As terrible as it sounds, 10% to 40% of infections related to teeth could have been fatal in the absence of antibiotics before 1908. In our contemporary society, routine check-ups are relatively inexpensive and can ultimately prevent this figure, which is quite concerning.
Unlike in the past, we have many achievements in dental sciences. This is why at least a handful of people have never died from tooth infections. For the immediate victims and those who suddenly found themselves at the precipice somewhere in the world, that question might require a short one-word answer: “Yes.” The answer is that it’s highly improbable right now because of the medical treatments we have at our disposal.
When is a Tooth Infection Life-Threatening?
The very reason you have toothache bacteria isn’t that they will undermine your living conditions. However, suppose the infection becomes severe or the inflammatory fever affects the major organs of the heart. In that case, it can interfere with the functioning of the major organs and cause severe health issues and even death.
One wonders what biological mechanism could cause an innocent tooth infection to result in death. Potentially life-threatening complications can occur from an untreated tooth infection, including Potentially life-threatening complications can occur from an untreated tooth infection, including:
Sepsis:
It is the body reaction where the bacteria burrow deep within the body, and the inflammation follows.
Necrotizing Fasciitis:
A severe condition that, if not cured in time, will lead to the death of soft tissue in the mouth and extensive deep body tissues.
Mediastinitis:
Inflammation that occurs in the form of lung edema can lead to trouble breathing.
Endocarditis:
Inflammation affects the liner inside the heart. Blood Clots: Clots develop due to various types of infection, many of them in the nose. Given that they happen very close to the brain and eyes, clots could cause severe consequences, like impaired vision and paralysis.
Brain Abscess:
The inability to suppress the infection from closing up in the brain area and thus developing brain abscesses is one of the problems.
Osteomyelitis:
A bone infection destroys the tissue and goes to other body parts.
Besides these complications, patients may not encounter them from tooth infections. However, physicians and dental practitioners are keen on recognizing dental and medical problems before committing to specific negligent treatment based on their findings.
Risk Factors That Increase the Likelihood of Complications
Remember that numerous patients have predisposing risk factors, which make them at higher risk of severe complications from dental infections. Suppose you have any of these risk factors. In that case, seeking dental care and medical treatment as soon as possible is even more critical. Suppose you have any of these risk factors. In that case, it’s even more important to seek dental care and medical treatment as quickly as possible:
Older Age:
Among the aging population or elderly, there is an elevated risk of tooth abscesses or severe health issues that are fatal. Senior citizens usually deal with a robust set of symptoms all at once.
Diabetes:
Those people with diabetes are suffering from other medicinal problems that may have fatal results in chronic infection of the tooth cavities.
Immune Function:
Individuals who have a weak immune system are prone to not adequately respond to infections in any case. On the other hand, this could become a reason for the more likely risks of a tooth infection.
Malnourishment:
The condition gets aggravated when the body is malnourished, as it becomes weak and does not fight against diseases and their related problems.
Conclusion
If not handled cautiously, the wisdom tooth removal process may significantly impact oral health and lead to a plethora of dental problems in the future. Oral exams need to be held at fixed intervals as these are not only indicators of early problem detection but also help decrease the possibility of developing a tooth infection that may later result in serious health complications and death.
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