Toothache is (most of the time) caused by infections that may be inconvenient to you or even painful at certain times. It can be serious if the condition worsens and spreads to other body parts. It can even pose a deadly disease and may lead to the question of life. To avoid such issues happening with your body, you may require to stop the infection or the toothache. You may need the attention of your doctor. Before you undergo any other diagnoses, you may need to understand the symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body. This may help you treat yourself better and not leave the toothache untreated.
What could be the possible reasons behind the infected tooth?
A tooth becomes infected when the bacteria enter the tooth through any cavity, chip, or crack. Moreover, the risk factor of tooth infection may rise or increase if you accompany the following symptoms -- poor dental hygiene
- Not brushing your teeth regularly or adequately for two days
- Having an intake of high sugar diet and drinking sodas
- Dry mouth and not keeping control over dehydration
- Certain medications in case of diabetes, high blood pressure, and low blood pressure
What symptoms of toothache and its infections may spread to other body parts?
If your tooth becomes infected, there can be chances that it may even spread to your food pipe, your stomach, or other organs of the body. Symptoms of tooth infection extending to the body can include -- Throbbing tooth pain
- Throbbing pain in the jawbone, ear, or neck
- Pain that worsens while you sleep on your sides
- Development of sensitivity because of the toothache
- Feeling anxiety when you see cold or hot food
- You may also develop cheek swelling
- Lymph nodes in the neck may develop because of the infections in the tooth
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Inability to brush your teeth properly
- Fever
- Chilling
- Lousy breath, etc.
What could be the infected tooth's symptoms or effect on your body?
If an infected tooth is left untreated, it can impact you anywhere in your body. It can be potentially life-threatening and may show off the following symptoms or infections in your body -Impact on your body and head
Impact on your skin
- skin flushing
- sweating
- chills
- Swelling on the face
- swelling on the cheeks that may not go away itself (without any medical interference)
Impact on your breathing and eating habits
- swelling that still exists and may interfere while you swallow food
- swelling that may interfere with your breathing pattern
- The body becomes dehydrated
- You may feel a reduction in urination
- Dark or pale yellow urine
- confusion
- Increase in heart rate
- rapid pulse rate
- lightheadedness
- Increase in breathing rate
- You may also feel chills and a humid temperature
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Discomfort that may increase while talking
When to visit a doctor for a tooth infection?
You may reach the doctor if you or your child is going through an infected tooth. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call your doctor and try to oversee the things like -- adults: 103°F or higher
- children: 102.2°F or higher
- Infants (above three months old): 102°F or higher
- Infants (below three months old): 100.4°F or higher
- Chest pain
- Breathing issues
- Mental retardation
- Atypical sensitivity to light
- Seizures
- Body convulsions
- Skin rash (that may appear without any reason)
- Persistent vomiting
- Change in the pattern of how you use or go to the washroom
- Constipation
- Pain while you urinate
FAQs
#1 When is the right time to see a doctor for an infected tooth?Not all toothaches are infectious or become a serious health concern. But, if you experience a toothache, you should go to the doctor for your body and health. You should seek help until it becomes worse and may start impacting your body adversely.You should make an appointment with your dentist if the toothache is longer than a day and is accompanied by the following symptoms -- Fever
- Swelling
- Breathing problems
- Swallowing problems
- Soft, red, and painful gums
- You may experience pain while biting or chewing the food.
- It is common to use ibuprofen when experiencing pain in any body part.
- You should avoid drinking colas, carbonated drinks, and processed food
- Avoid chewing from the side of the painful tooth
- Eat only soft food and take more water frequently, like every two hours
The Bottom Line -
Symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body can pose serious issues if you have not taken the considerable effects to treat the same. It can impact your mental hygiene, health, and physical hygiene. You are required to maintain good health of your teeth or can also take the following steps to keep your teeth healthy-- Brush your teeth at least twice a day (do not increase the number of times because brushing more than a moderate range can create a harmful impact)
- Do floss at least once a day
- Decrease the intake of sugary food in your diet
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol (if you are addicted to them)
- Have a diet that is full of vegetables, fruits, and raw material
- Drink more water (at least every two hours)
- Note down the number of trips you may make to the washroom (it can give you a piece of the necessary information about the urination pattern)
- Avoid drinking soda and carbonated drinks, and processed food
- Try to consult only a professional dentist, not anyone who is versed with the knowledge or any general doctor
- fever
- swelling
- stomach pain
- dehydration
- heart rate issues (that may increase or decrease with pain),
- increased breathing rate.
Reviewed by