Do you feel pain in your teeth or jaw? Is it persistent, sharp, pulsating? Is it stronger when you chew or when you eat? It could be an infection, or what is called an abscess. It occurs when - due to poor dental hygiene, trauma or other injuries - bacteria enter the dental pulp and infect the root, gums or bone near the root (called periapical and periodontal abscesses). The abscess is not only painful, but can also lead to the death of the tooth or even spread the infection to neighboring areas of the body, reaching the brain in the most severe cases. If you have this suspicion, you should see a dentist or doctor immediately.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Monitor Pain
Step 1. Check for any tooth pain
An infected tooth can trigger localized pain, which ranges from mild to severe depending on the degree of infection. Typically, it is persistent and acute. Some dentists describe it as stabbing, throbbing, or piercing pain. It tends to radiate up and down along the sides of the face towards the ear, jaw, or head.
- The dentist will touch the teeth with a periodontal probe. In the event of an abscess, you will feel pain when the infected tooth is pressed - what the Merck Manual calls "exquisite sensitivity" - or when you bite.
- Keep in mind that if the infection is severe, you will most likely not be able to pinpoint where the pain is radiating from, as the area around it will also be sore. The dentist will need to take some x-rays to locate the infected tooth.
- If the infection destroys the pulp in the root of the tooth - the "heart" of the tooth - the pain may go away because it is practically dead. However, it does not mean that the infection stops. It will continue to spread and attack other tissues and bones.
Step 2. Pay attention to sensitivity
Some sensitivity to heat and cold is normal. It depends on the erosion of the enamel that creates cracks and channels, but does not require special treatment. However, an infected tooth is very sensitive to contact with hot and cold substances. For example, it may hurt you while eating hot soup - a stabbing pain that persists even when you're done eating.
- Aside from the heat and cold, you may also get toothache when you eat something sweet, as the sugar irritates the infected tooth causing pain.
- All these stimuli, if repeated, can compromise the pulp and inflame the entire system of blood vessels and nerves. In most cases the damage is irreversible and it will be necessary to opt for devitalization.
Step 3. Watch out for pain when you eat
If you have a tooth abscess, chewing can also be painful, particularly when you consume solid foods. Biting or chewing puts pressure on the tooth and jaw, triggering pain. The latter can continue even when you have finished eating.
- Keep in mind that pain in the teeth or jaw when chewing can be caused by other factors. It doesn't always mean there's an infection going on. For example, people internalize stress and contract their chewing muscles, favoring the onset of very similar pains. In these cases we speak of "disorders of the muscles and the temporomandibular joint".
- Some individuals grind or clench their teeth when they sleep, a condition called bruxism.
- Sinus or ear infections can also cause toothaches, although they usually produce headaches. Also, one of the symptoms of heart disease is pain in the teeth and jaw. Regardless of the cause, you should take the situation seriously and see your dentist.
Part 2 of 2: Recognizing other Symptoms
Step 1. Look for swelling or purulent discharge
Check to see if the gums around the tooth have become red, swollen, and sensitive. You may notice pustule-like bumps near the infected tooth and up to the root. You may also see white pus in the sore or around the tooth - in fact, the exudate is what causes the pain because it puts pressure on the tooth. When it begins to subside, the pain will also tend to disappear.
Another sign is bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth. It is directly related to the accumulation of pus. In the event of a severe infection, the latter could escape from the tooth or from the sac that it has formed on the gum and spread into the oral cavity. It can happen suddenly, with a rupture of the abscess, and leave a metallic or sour taste in the mouth. You will also smell bad. Avoid swallowing it
Step 2. Check if the tooth has discolored
The infected tooth can change color from yellow to dark brown or gray. This chromatic alteration is caused by the death of the internal pulp, which produces a "hematoma" due to the gradually dying blood cells. Like anything that undergoes a decomposition process, dead pulp emits toxic substances that reach the surface through the cracks and channels formed in the tooth.
Step 3. Check for swollen glands on your neck
A tooth infection could spread to other parts of the body, especially if left untreated. There is a risk of it reaching the jaw, sinuses, lymph glands under the jaw or neck. The latter may swell, become sensitive or painful to the touch.
Even if a tooth abscess is a serious problem that needs treatment, see your doctor right away if you notice the spread of an infection. Since it is located near vital organs - particularly the brain - it can easily be life-threatening
Step 4. Watch out for fever
The body could react to an infection by raising the body temperature, which normally fluctuates between 36 and 37 ° C. Usually, it is considered high if it exceeds 38 ° C.
- It could also be accompanied by chills, headaches, or nausea. If you feel weak and dehydrated, drink water.
- Call your doctor if your fever continues to rise or doesn't respond to medication, or if it rises above 39 ° C for several days.
Advice
- Go to the dentist regularly to prevent the development of tooth infections.
- If you have cavities, broken teeth, or any other problem, take immediate care and fix the damage to avoid infection.
