Can you have a teeth infection without pain? Why does a tooth get infected? Can you get a tooth infection without knowing it? What health problems can a tooth abscess cause? How to prevent a tooth infection? And finally, how do you treat a tooth infection?
I. Why Can Dental Infections Be Deadly?
Dental infections can be deadly because bacteria in the mouth can spread to other organs.
It is indeed possible that the bacteria and microbes if the infection is not properly treated, can spread through the bloodstream to the lungs or the brain. Sepsis is then possible, and this is a mortal risk.
II. Why does a Tooth Become Infected?
A tooth becomes infected when it is in the presence of bacteria or microbes. If oral hygiene is not good, then these bacteria settle and proliferate, infecting the tooth.
Bacteria often originate from food scraps, which in the long run become germs. That is why you should brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and don’t forget the floss and mouthwash.
III. Can You Have a Teeth Infection Without Pain?
1. Other Symptoms of a Dental Infection Without Having Pain?
Dental infections are usually painful. There are different types. We can mention tooth decay, dental abscess which is the most frequent manifestation of an infection, or gingivitis, which results from a bacterial proliferation on the gum.
Nevertheless, a dental infection may occur without pain. This can happen if the abscess is still dormant or if the infection has settled on a root canal.
Other symptoms can warn you, besides pain. For example, swelling of the gum or cheek is a common sign of a tooth infection.
You may also have foul breath due to bacteria or a bad taste in your mouth.
If you have an overt infection, your body temperature will rise. This is another sign not to be ignored.
A loose tooth is also a symptom of an oral problem. If one or more of your teeth become loose, it is important to see your dentist.
2. What to Do for a Dental Infection Without Pain?
If you suspect you have a tooth infection, but you don’t feel any pain, make an appointment with your dentist.
An x-ray will help identify whether or not there are any infection sites in the mouth. While waiting for your appointment, you can take certain measures with natural products.
For example, make a mouthwash with baking soda and use it at least twice a day. You can also use coarse salt instead of baking soda.
Another option is to apply crushed cloves to the area affected by the infection. Cloves have great antibacterial properties.
3. Can I Have a Tooth Infection Without Knowing
It is perfectly possible to have an infection in the mouth without realizing it. This can happen if the abscess is still latent and does not yet cause any real pain.
When the infection occurs in a devitalized tooth, it is also difficult to notice. The root canal is not capable of being painful, so the infection can spread without your knowledge.
Therefore, it is necessary to remain vigilant to other signs, and especially to consult your dentist at least once a year.
IV. What Can a Dental Abscess Cause Health Problems?
A dental abscess is the result of an infection in the tooth or gum. You have a swelling, which may be on a gum, that is full of pus.
If not treated properly, a tooth abscess can lead to tooth loss, sinus infection, or even a brain abscess.
The problems it can cause are numerous, affecting virtually every organ, including the joints. This is due to the spread of microbes via the bloodstream.
IV. How Can I Know If I Have a Tooth Infection?
There are signs of a dental infection, such as pain in the tooth or gum. In addition to this, a tooth infection can be accompanied by swelling, even a swollen cheek.
You may also have foul breath or loose teeth. But the best way to know if you have a tooth infection is to see your dentist regularly.
V. How to Cure a Tooth Infection?
A tooth infection often manifests itself as a tooth abscess. You should see a doctor to treat your tooth infection. Avoid taking an anti-inflammatory drug, because it may make the infection worse.
Only a dentist can drain the abscess and prescribe antibiotics to limit the spread of bacteria. Amoxicillin is the antibiotic most often prescribed in these cases. It is also necessary to drain the affected canal.
VI. How to Prevent Teeth Infection?
To prevent a dental infection without pain (or with pain), it is necessary to have irreproachable oral hygiene.
It is necessary to brush your teeth daily after each meal, or at least twice a day. Brushing in the morning and another one before sleeping.
Brushing should last at least three minutes and touch all parts of the mouth.
It is strongly recommended to limit the consumption of sweets as much as possible and especially to brush your teeth after each intake of sugar.
Also, you should not forget to visit your dentist every six months, as he is the only one able to detect any dental infection in advance, even the most hidden ones.
VII. Other Questions About Painless Tooth Infection
1. Will a Tooth Infection Go Away on its Own?
A tooth infection can’t go away on its own. The use of antibiotics or at least antibacterial compounds is necessary.
It is possible that the infection, when it is in its early stages, can disappear with natural treatments such as the use of a baking soda mouthwash.
Tooth abscesses can be either acute or chronic, without disappearing on their own.
2. How Can I Relieve the Pain of a Tooth Infection?
In the case of a tooth infection, pain is often one of the most prominent signs. To counteract this, you can take paracetamol. Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs at all costs.
On the other hand, there are natural methods to reduce the pain of a tooth infection. For example, you can use clove, make a paste with it, and apply it to the affected area.
3. Can a Dental Abscess Be Dangerous?
An abscessed tooth is very dangerous. The dental abscess is an infectious focus that can spread to other organs if not properly treated.
This means that a professional dentist should be consulted. The risks of an improperly treated tooth abscess are infections of the sinuses, heart, lungs, and brain.
It is always best to seek professional help for an abscessed tooth.
4. Can a Dental Abscess Cause Swelling but no Pain?
It is indeed possible for a tooth abscess to cause swelling without pain. This can happen when the abscess is still in the latency period.
In these cases, the infection is present but the abscess is not yet painful. It is then very difficult to detect the dental abscess, an X-ray is usually necessary to do so.
5. How Long Can a Tooth Infection Go Untreated?
Untreated tooth abscesses do nothing but get worse. For a few weeks, you may feel better, but it will only be temporary.
The infection will spread, both inside the mouth and throughout the body. Then you may lose your teeth, and if the bacteria get into the bloodstream, they can reach other organs. This can take months or even years.
6. Can a Tooth Infection Affect Your Whole Body?
A tooth infection can indeed affect the whole body. This can happen if it is not treated properly. A tooth infection is a sign that there are bacteria in the body.
Also, if the infection is not treated properly, the bacteria can spread to other organs, and sepsis may even occur.
7. Can a Dentist Pull an Infected Tooth?
Your dentist may decide to pull an infected tooth if he or she feels it is the best course of action. In the case of a cavity, for example, the infected tooth may be cleaned and a filling placed afterward.
But it is also possible that the damage to the tooth is irreversible. To protect your entire mouth, your dentist may decide to perform an extraction.
8. Can You Have a Tooth Infection Without Symptoms?
A tooth infection is the presence of bacteria in a tooth or the gums. For example, if the infection originates in a root canal, you may not feel any pain. It is even possible that no abscess will appear.
But the infection may cause granulomas, small cysts, to appear. An x-ray is almost the only way to detect them.
9. Can You Have a Tooth Infection for Years?
Sometimes a tooth infection can be present in the mouth for years. This can happen when the infection is latent.
This is what can happen with a root canal. Because the nerve of the tooth is no longer active, you feel no pain, while bacteria proliferate under the tooth.
Years later, this infection may have affected your brain or lungs.
10. Can an Infected Tooth Affect Your Heart?
Yes, a tooth infection can affect the heart. For this, you should not underestimate your oral hygiene.
There is very serious research that has shown the link between a dental infection, known as apical periodontitis, and heart problems.
This dental pathology is a risk for heart attacks and angina.
11. Can a Tooth Infection Cause Shortness of Breath?
An infected tooth can have an impact on lung health. Germs in the tooth can spread, especially through the bloodstream, and reach the lungs.
Oral and respiratory health often go hand in hand. Dental conditions are not without risk to the heart and lungs.
12. How to Get Rid of a Tooth Abscess Without Going to the Dentist?
Although there are ways to relieve an abscessed tooth, it is not advisable to try to treat it at home. Professional intervention is necessary because the infection can spread if neglected.
In addition, the abscess must be drained thoroughly, often referred to as a root canal cleaning. This type of procedure cannot be performed by an amateur without medical training and the proper equipment.
13. Can a Root Infection Cause Fatigue?
A dental root infection can indeed cause a feeling of fatigue. When the infection occurs, the immune system goes into action to try to defend the body.
As a result, you may have a fever, which can make you feel tired. In addition, dental infection is usually painful, which is as exhausting physically as it is mentally.
Useful Links:
Dental abscess: A microbiological review
Dental Infection and Resistance—Global Health Consequences
Management of dental infections by medical practitioners
How to Push a Salivary Stone Out [6 Home Remedies & Drug Treatment]
Something Sticking Out of My Gum [Bony Protrusion on Gums?]
How Do I Get Rid of Fungus on my Gums? [Symptoms & Treatments]