Toothaches can be a nuisance, but are they ever something you should simply ignore and try to wait out? The answer is a resounding no, given that these small problems have the propensity to become large, glaring issues. Continue reading to learn a little more about toothaches, some of their common causes, and how these dilemmas have the potential to cause serious, sometimes life-threatening issues when left unaddressed.
What Can Cause a Toothache?
Tooth pain is often the result of an infection—and dental infections can form due to many reasons. However, it’s often the result of improper dental care, including not brushing or flossing consistently, attending routine dental checkups, and overconsuming sugary foods and beverages.
Bacteria in the mouth can multiply and cause inflammation and decay that affects the teeth and gums alike. Once these bacteria have formed a cavity and infiltrated the tooth’s structure, they can begin attacking the central nerve of the tooth, causing you to feel immense pain.
A few common signs and symptoms of tooth infections include:
- Constant throbbing at the location of the pain
- Difficulty chewing and eating
- Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
- An unpleasant or bitter taste in the mouth
- Bad breath that lingers even after brushing or using mouthwash
- Headaches, migraines, and insomnia
- Swollen or red gum tissue
- Fever or high temperatures and ear pain
How Can Overlooking a Toothache Be Deadly?
Toothaches that are the result of untreated infections don’t just cause the above symptoms; they can also impact the surrounding nerve endings, blood vessels, and other systems or organs beyond the mouth. What begins as a small problem with one tooth can worsen and eventually threaten the rest of your body. A few possible systematic issues that can develop include:
- Sepsis, which occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and weaken the immune system. This makes your body less able to fight off deadly infections and diseases.
- Respiratory issues, which result from oral bacteria finding their way to the lungs. The lungs are, unfortunately, an ideal breeding ground for these bad bacteria.
- Meningitis, a particularly deadly disease that causes inflammation all around the body, including your brain and spinal cord.
- Ludwig’s Angina, which occurs when an infection from an untreated tooth spreads to the throat and chest region, causing swelling and other respiratory problems.
If you notice any signs or symptoms that point toward a tooth infection, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a visit with your dentist—in many cases, root canal treatment can help address the pain while also salvaging the tooth. This is going to be a much better course of action than dealing with a potentially fatal systemic issue!
About the Practice
Our team here at West Brookfield Dental has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Brookfield and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services for adults and children, including emergency dentistry. If you have any questions about the blog or suspect that your toothache might need to be resolved with the help of a root canal, don’t hesitate to reach out today for more information or to schedule an appointment. Telephone: (508) 867-2777.
