How does a dentist know if you have an infection

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent dentist appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• you think you have a dental abscess

Do not go to a GP surgery as they will not be able to give you dental treatment.

Information:

To see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours:

• call your dentist – if they're closed, their answerphone may tell you what to do

If you do not have a dentist or cannot get to an emergency appointment:

• call 111 or get help from 111 online – they can tell you where you can get help for your symptoms
• find a dentist near you – ask if you can have an emergency appointment

You may have to pay for your appointment. Find out more about NHS dental charges.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• you are finding it hard to breathe
• have a swollen or painful eye, or suddenly start having problems with your eyesight
• have a lot of swelling in your mouth

Find your nearest A&E

Page last reviewed: 20 June 2022
Next review due: 20 June 2025

A tooth infection can be very dangerous to the body if it goes unchecked. The longer you deal with a tooth infection, the more likely it is that the infection will spread to your body. A tooth infection starts with a toothache, but what are the biggest signs of a tooth infection spreading to your body?

Keep reading to find out what warning signs and symptoms to look out for. If you believe that you are dealing with a tooth infection, visit our dentist Riverside professionals to schedule an appointment for treatment.

To understand what a tooth infection feels like and how to recognize when it is starting to spread throughout the body, you should be aware of the general symptoms that you will first encounter. A tooth infection may be mild and not very painful, or the symptoms may be severe. Either way, it is important to get in touch with your local dental professional if you have any of the following:

• Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, especially food and drinks
• Pain that radiates from the tooth outward
• Swelling in the cheeks or gums
• Constant bad breath
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Pressure or pain when biting down

These symptoms indicate an underlying oral health issue. Get in touch with your dentist so you can wipe out any signs of infection before it spreads.

Feeling Sick All Over the Body

As an unchecked tooth infection starts to spread, you will start noticing the above symptoms more severely. Moreover, you will also start to feel these symptoms all over your body. An infection from your teeth can slip into your bloodstream, spreading these bad symptoms.

Some of the biggest signs that a tooth infection is spreading to the body include frequent headaches, feverishness, dizziness, and face swelling. It may get to the point where you are having difficulty opening or using your mouth because of the swelling. When that occurs, you should go to your local urgent care or emergency dentist to get rid of the infection ASAP.

Getting Treatment

You should get in touch with your dentist at the first sign of tooth infection symptoms. If physical trauma has caused you to break or lose a tooth, you must see your emergency dentist right away. Additional symptoms of tooth infection include difficulty swallowing and breathing, as well as pain that shoots through the ears or neck.

While you wait for your appointment with your dentist, you can seek some relief by taking over-the-counter ibuprofen. It is also recommended that you do not chew on the side of your mouth where your tooth is hurting. Once you arrive at your dentist’s office, you will be given options for the best treatments available. The most common and effective treatment for a tooth infection is a root canal procedure, which removes the infected area of your tooth.

Get a Root Canal and Say Goodbye to Infection!

Speak with our root canal Riverside experts about the procedure and how it can prevent the spread of infection in your mouth. An infection occurs when there is a buildup of bacteria, causing plaque and tartar to form on the teeth. The longer this buildup goes unnoticed, the deeper it goes into the mouth. Sometimes, it will cause the roots of your teeth to become infected.

A root canal procedure removes the infection from the root of your teeth so that your tooth can remain intact. This restores health to your mouth and keeps the infection from spreading to the rest of your body. For more information on a root canal procedure, and for more ways to combat tooth infection, reach out to our friendly experts at Star Dental Group Riverside today!