Having seen desperate patients attempt home remedies, I must warn: those throbbing pain from infected teeth might tempt you to grab pliers for relief, but this unthinkable DIY tooth extraction is dangerous. When bacteria invade the nerve and pulp through tooth decay or injury, what begins as discomfort while chewing can become an untreated tooth infection.
Spreading through tissues in your body over weeks or months, these life-threatening complications from an abscessed tooth require proper dental procedures, not self-extraction. Such desperation leads to a disastrous journey – the threat and hidden dangers can kill. Trust me, safe medical solutions exist.
Is It Possible to Die From Pulling an Infected Tooth?(Short Answer)
What Happens If You Pull a Tooth While Infected with an Abscess?
As a seasoned dentist, I’ll be blunt: A healthy tooth has protective enamel covering pulp, nerves, and blood vessels. When bacteria cause an infected, inflamed area triggering toothache, extraction creates an open wound in your mouth. This directly connects to your bloodstream, causing body complications.
A dental abscess or infection in tooth roots and gums from decay or cracks can worsen into periodontal disease. Those pimple-like sores and cysts require professional treatment options to maintain oral health.
Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Brain
Although uncommon, a tooth infection that spreads can reach the brain and lead to a potentially fatal condition known as a brain abscess. Be aware of these warning signs:
- Man, I tell ya – dealing with a spreading tooth infection is no joke. Had a patient last Tuesday with severe persistent headache who ignored it for weeks.
- Think your tooth pain’s just a nuisance? Watch for fever and chills – when they show up with confusion and disorientation, that’s your red flag!
- Ever seen someone develop seizures and difficulty speaking from a tooth? I have. Trust me, that weakness and paralysis on one-side of the body ain’t something to mess with.
- Listen up – that loss of consciousness? Could be a brain abscess. It’s rare, but these life-threatening conditions are why we dentists keep harping about those warning signs.
Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Body?
A tooth infection that spreads can enter your bloodstream and affect various parts of your body. Watch out for these symptoms:
- Fever and chills may indicate infection.
- Constant fatigue signals systemic spread.
- Swollen lymph nodes suggest nearby infection.
- Rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath hint at a heart infection.
- Difficulty speaking or vision problems suggest a brain infection.
What Complications Can a Tooth Infection Cause That May Be Fatal?
Even in modern times, despite medicine advances, skipping dentist help can be fatal. A neglected tooth infection leads to deadly complications like sepsis, a life-threatening condition where your body’s response attacks its tissue and organs. Bacteria from abscessed teeth can enter your bloodstream during extraction, causing endocarditis in heart chambers and heart valves.
Ludwig’s Angina, a rapidly spreading infection of the tongue and floor of mouth, can block your airway. While time patterns vary, germs can migrate from upper molars roots through the maxillary sinus cavity to cause brain infection and sinus involvement post-extraction. This isn’t a quick fix – these hazards and heart complications from a pulling tooth can mean death.
What Are the Risk Factors That Lead to Complications
- A weakened immune system, whether from conditions like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or undergoing chemotherapy, increases vulnerability to severe infections.
- Pre-existing heart conditions, such as a damaged heart valve, are more prone to bacterial infections from a tooth infection.
- Delaying dental care raises the likelihood of complications; the longer you wait, the higher the risks.
- Older age can reduce the body’s ability to combat infections effectively.
- Having diabetes makes it harder for the body to heal and fight infections.
- Being immunocompromised significantly raises the risk of infection spreading.
- Experiencing malnourishment weakens overall immunity, making complications more likely.
Can a tooth infection kill you?
Let me share something shocking from my years in dental practice: In London during the 1600s, tooth infection was the fifth or sixth leading cause of death, with 10 to 40 percent mortality rates until 1908. While advances in medicine and dental hygiene make this extremely rare today, I’ve seen how bacteria invading the pulp and soft tissue can create a collection of pus forming a dental abscess.
Without prompt care, an infected tooth left untreated can spread through your body, causing life-threatening complications. These include sepsis (a severe reaction), Ludwig’s angina (a bacterial infection affecting the tongue), necrotizing fasciitis causing tissue death, mediastinitis (inflammation of the mediastinum near lungs), endocarditis affecting the heart’s inner lining (endocardium), cavernous sinus thrombosis (blood clot in sinuses near brain and eyes), osteomyelitis (bone tissue infection), and brain abscess.
How Long Does It Take for an Abscess to Form?
In my 15 years treating dental emergencies, I’ve noticed that abscesses from tooth decay typically take several months to develop. The decay process gradually works its way through your tooth until it reaches and causes damage to the pulp at its center.
However, physical trauma or injury is a different story – just last week, I treated a patient whose cracked tooth allowed bacteria to enter quickly. These injuries, especially a chipped tooth, create instant pathways for infection, turning a simple crack into a dental emergency within days rather than months.
How is a Tooth Infection Managed and Treated?
As a practicing dentist, I’ve handled countless cases where smart treatment options made all the difference. When the severity of the infection demands immediate action, we start with drainage – making a small incision in the gums to relieve the abscess. While this is a temporary measure, further treatments are crucial.Ways to pop a gum abscess at home may not offer the same level of control or safety as professional drainage
A root canal is often ideal – we remove the infected pulp, get the tooth thoroughly cleaned and filled, then place a crown to restore function. Sometimes, if a tooth can’t be saved, tooth extraction is necessary and the tooth must be extracted. Depending on the case, I prescribe antibiotics – these drugs effectively kill bacteria.
For mild cases, oral antibiotics work well, but severe infections might need intravenous antibiotics (IV antibiotics) to ensure recovery.
Jaw Bone Damage and Loss
Listen up – after 20 years in oral surgery, I’ve seen the devastating aftermath of DIY pulling an abscessed tooth. It’s not just risky because of systemic infections; local issues can wreck your mouth. Jaw bone damage is serious business – I’ve witnessed cases of bone death (osteonecrosis) that started with a simple problem tooth.
When you lose a tooth, that empty socket in your jawbone doesn’t just sit there. Following tooth extractions, the extraction site undergoes rapid deterioration, leading to significant loss in bone volume over time. Even worse, your neighboring teeth start drifting into the position of the missing tooth, creating a domino effect of dental problems.
Can Home Remedies Effectively Treat a Tooth Infection?
While awaiting treatment, consider these home remedies to help alleviate your symptoms:
- Take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to manage pain while awaiting medical attention.
- Only eat soft foods, chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the infection, and avoid hot, cold, acidic, spicy, hard, or crunchy items.
- Use a gentle soft-bristled toothbrush to clean teeth, but avoid flossing around the affected tooth to prevent further irritation.
- Make a saltwater rinse or hydrogen peroxide rinse to alleviate pain and swelling – a tip I often recommend to emergency patients.
- Apply a cold compress to the cheek near the troubled tooth, and consider garlic with its natural antimicrobial properties for temporary comfort.
- Remember: these home remedies are strictly a temporary substitute for proper treatment to ease symptoms until you can get professional help.
Preventing a tooth infection
You can take several steps in your daily routine to help reduce the risk of developing a tooth infection. These include:
- Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice each day to maintain strong enamel and prevent decay.
- Flossing daily helps remove debris and bacteria trapped between teeth, reducing infection risks.
- Limit your intake of sugary and starchy foods and drinks to prevent harmful bacterial growth.
- Schedule regular dental cleanings and exams to catch and address potential issues early.
- See a dentist promptly if you experience tooth pain or sustain an injury like a chip or crack.
Risks of Removing an Abscessed Tooth Across Different Age Groups
Understanding the risks associated with extracting an abscessed tooth is crucial, as they can vary between different age groups, including adults and seniors. Let’s explore this in detail.
The Critical Risks of Adult Tooth Extractions
As a dentist, I’ve seen how a simple tooth extraction of problem tooth with dental infection, especially abscessed teeth, can be risky. After tooth removal, adjacent teeth start drifting into the gap, causing misalignment and jaw bone deterioration.
Following extraction, watch for swelling in lymph nodes and oral tissue, as these dental health complications matter. Post-extraction stretched tissue needs immediate attention to prevent serious oral health complications.
Risks for Seniors
In my 15 years of dental practice, I’ve observed that age significantly impacts how patients recover from dental procedures. The dangers of pulling infected teeth are particularly pronounced in seniors, where abscess draining requires special attention.
I always emphasize seeking professional help at a dental office before considering tooth extractions. Based on my experience, body recovery slows with aging complications, which is why I urge patients to consult their local dentist for a sound medical decision.
Conclusion
Pulling an infected tooth yourself is extremely dangerous and can lead to life-threatening complications. An untreated tooth infection can spread to the brain, bloodstream, and other organs, causing conditions like sepsis, endocarditis, or even death. Always seek professional dental care to avoid these severe risks.