Tooth decay, cracks, trauma, fillings and crowns can lead to inflamed dental pulp. This soft tissue contains blood, nerves and connective tissue inside the tooth. Untreated inflammation of the pulp can lead to necrosis that produces an infection in the bone at the apex of the root according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. There are several possible side effects of an infected tooth.
Impaired Chewing
Signs of an infected tooth include pain when chewing according to the American Association of Endodontists. This can interfere with the intake of proper nutrition. This pain may cause a person to chew on only one side of the mouth.
According to the Medical College of Georgia, this will cause excessive stress and wear on the temperomandibular joint on the side doing the chewing. Temperomandibular damage is painful and difficult to repair. Chewing on one side can also cause these teeth to crack and necessitate dental restorations.
Tooth Loss
An infected tooth due to periodontal disease can cause severe loss of supporting bone around a tooth. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Failure to promptly replace the missing tooth can cause shifting of the adjacent and opposing teeth.
Once teeth are out of their proper position, gum problems may develop that interfere with proper biting and require extraction.
Social Impairment
Painful and infected teeth contribute to loss of work, restrictions of activity, and bed disability according to the American Public Health Association. The pain and general lack of well-being caused by an infected tooth make routine daily tasks very challenging.
Severe Infection
Most dental infections remain localized to the area immediately surrounding the tooth. However, one of the dangerous side effects of an infected tooth is spread of the infection into the deep spaces of the head and neck, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This can result in swollen and tender lymph nodes, fever, impaired vision, difficulty in breathing and central nervous system complications. Hospitalization may be necessary.
These potentially life-threatening infections are controlled by draining the infection and taking strong antibiotics. Root canal treatment can save a severely infected tooth in the absence of a root fracture or excessive loss of supporting bone.
Treatment
Seeking prompt dental care minimizes the side effects of an infected tooth. As soon as a tooth becomes sensitive or any swelling occurs, an examination is required. According to the American Association of Endodontists, root canal treatment can save most teeth with an infected dental pulp. Conservative and nonsurgical means can treat infections caused by periodontal disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. These include scaling and root planing to remove plaque and calculus and local application of antibiotics.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Common Dental Emergencies
- American Association of Endodontists: Root Canal Treatment
- Medical College of Georgia: Research Takes Bite Out of TMJ Syndrome
- American Academy of Periodontology: Fallacies About Gum Disease
- American Public Health Association: The Social Impact of Dental Disease
