A dental infection, within or below a tooth, can be caused by tooth decay or a broken tooth that causes the pulp to become infected. The pulp is the part of the tooth that contains blood vessels, connective tissue, and large nerves. When an infection occurs, bacteria can move from the tooth to the bone or tissue below, forming a dental abscess. A dental infection can lead to sepsis.
Sometimes incorrectly called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body’s often deadly response to infection. Sepsis kills and disables millions and requires early suspicion and treatment for survival.
Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection anywhere in the body, such as pneumonia, influenza, or urinary tract infections. Worldwide, one-third of people who develop sepsis die. Many who do survive are left with life-changing effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain fatigue, organ dysfunction (organs don’t work properly) and/or amputations.
Signs of an infection in the mouth include:
As with all infections, an infection in your mouth should be treated as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of complications, including sepsis. Salt water mouth rinses while waiting to see your dentist may ease the pain or discomfort.
If your dentist feels you have an infection, you will probably be given a prescription for an antibiotic. It’s important that you take this antibiotic as directed until it is finished, even if the pain and swelling seem to have gone away. Feeling better does not necessarily mean that the infection has gone away.
Adults
Children
“We always have such a great customer journey at Priory House from the reception desk through to our super talented dentist Dr Howell. He has recently done the most fantastic work on building up my teenagers teeth. She and I totally trusted him to do a good...”
“A full recommendation for the Priory! I knew straight away I was in safe hands with my dentist Dr Gethin Howell and nurse Millie White. I was fitted with composite bonds top and bottom , I'm extremely happy with the end result. A very caring team so...”
“I was very pleased with my experience at priory house. I was very anxious at first but my dentist Dr Mohan and his nurse Amy made me feel at ease. I feel much better about coming back next time. Highly recommend to anyone trying to find a...”
“My family and I started using this practice back in 1996, then in 2014 moved away from the area. Having tried out two local practices over the last 9 months, I realized that Priory House would be hard to match, and I have now returned to them,...”
“Being an extremely nervous patient, particularly with dental treatment I can’t recommend Priory House highly enough! All the team are incredibly patient and understanding of this, and go out of their way to make me feel at ease. I’m never rushed through treatment and always have my...”
Instagram
