Warning Signs Your Tooth Is Infected

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If you have a tooth that is nagging you, it might be more than just a cavity. Pain can be a warning sign of a serious bacterial infection that requires emergency dental care in Indianapolis, IN. Recognizing the warning signs of a tooth infection can help you avoid the potentially severe complications that can arise from it.

What Are the Complications of Tooth Infection?

Your mouth is full of bacteria that can penetrate the enamel over time and enter your bloodstream, traveling to major organs such as the heart and brain. Some of the complications of an untreated tooth infection include:

  • Sepsis
  • Brain abscesses
  • Deterioration of the jawbone
  • Infection of soft tissue
  • Infection of the heart

Just to name a few. These conditions all occur because a bacterial infection moves beyond the tooth cavity.

Warning Signs of a Tooth Infection

The key to getting the emergency dental treatment that you need is recognizing the symptoms of a tooth infection.

Pain

Pain is how your body warns you that something is wrong. You may feel it radiating from the tooth, in your jaw, ear, or neck.

Sensitivity

If a tooth becomes sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, it may indicate exposure of the nerves in the root of the tooth. When a cavity forms in the enamel, bacteria can work their way down into the dentin. That allows the liquid to enter the tooth and reach the raw nerves.

Foul Taste

A foul taste in your mouth can mean pus coming from a tooth. A sudden foul taste might indicate an abscess rupture.

As the bacterial infection grows, you may experience swelling in the face and a fever. These are signs you need emergency dental treatment.

If you suspect you have a tooth infection, call our office today to set up an appointment with our emergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN. The longer you wait, the more damage the bacteria can do.