Bacteria, viruses, yeast… all these micro-organisms can be found in large numbers in the mouth. Fortunately, many bacterial strains are harmless. However, a few pathogens can unbalance the oral flora and encourage the proliferation of bacteria which, in turn, can lead to dental infections or gum disease.
It can take months, even years, for a dental infection to flare up and cause intense pain. But worst of all, a sneaky, painless infection – undetectable at the time – can later lead to serious health problems. For this reason, it’s a good idea to consult your dentist before pain turns into a dental emergency.
The various consequences of a dental infection
Infections of the mouth and teeth are important factors in dental disease, and here are the main manifestations…
Gingivitis: inflammation of the gums
Gingivitis is a very common chronic inflammatory gum disease, present in 60% to 80% of patients. Plaque is at the root of this infection. Gingivitis is also favored by factors such as smoking, medication and stress.
Periodontitis: the aggravated version of gingivitis
The main symptoms of gingivitis are swelling, redness and bleeding of the gums. Most of the time, this condition is due to inadequate control of dental plaque, which then insinuates itself deep between the tooth and the gum. Plaque creates a pseudo-pocket in which pathogenic bacteria proliferate, leading to periodontitis.
Periodontal disease needs to be closely monitored by the dentist, as it can lead to the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues, ligaments and alveolar bone, and ultimately to tooth loss. In such cases, tooth extraction is the only solution.
Symptoms are not necessarily visible or painful for the patient. Only a check-up by the dentist can detect certain oral pathologies. It is therefore advisable to consult your dentist regularly.
Gums that bleed spontaneously when brushed, bad breath, tooth movement or displacement: all these signs point to the possibility of periodontitis. We suggest you make an appointment with your Montreal dentist as soon as possible, before the problem becomes irreversible.
Caries: treat immediately to avoid the consequences
Caries is an infectious dental disease sometimes caused by poor tooth brushing, or by over-consumption of sugars, which encourages the proliferation of caries bacteria (mainly streptococci and lactobacilli). Sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet foods is often the first warning sign.
The only effective prevention is meticulous dental hygiene, using fluoride toothpaste, an appropriate toothbrush and dental floss. It’s also advisable to consult your dental hygienist, who will explain proper tooth-brushing practices.
Beware: untreated decay can lead to devitalization of the tooth, or even its extraction, if excess tissue is destroyed and dentine is affected. For effective treatment of cavities, consult an oral health professional.
Infection around a wisdom tooth
An impacted wisdom tooth can quickly become the source of a dental infection. In this case, the infection is located around the dental crown (pericoronitis). This infection can lead to bad breath (halitosis), pain, purulence or difficulty opening and/or closing the mouth.
Treatment with antibiotics for 6 to 8 days may be necessary to stop the bacterial infection before any dental surgery. If necessary, the dentist can then extract the tooth in the following days.
If an abscess is present and the pain is unbearable, the dentist may choose to drain the lesion.
Tooth abscess: sharp pain and fever
In the case of deep tooth decay, bacteria can infiltrate right down to the root and cause an abscess. The main symptoms of dental abscesses are :
- Strong, intense pain,
- Bleeding and swelling of the gums or face,
- Bad breath,
- Headache and fever,
- Tender and/or swollen glands,
- Purulent discharge from the base of the tooth.
But beware: bacteria don’t limit their action to the teeth! They can enter the bloodstream via the dental pulp and cause much more serious illnesses, such as endocarditis (inflammation of the inner part of the heart).
Dental infections: serious complications at all levels of oral health
Untreated dental infections can lead to serious complications, both in the mouth and in general health. Many patients are unaware that deep caries, pulp damage or periodontal disease can not only cause severe pain, but can also lead to tooth loss if not treated promptly. These problems often begin discreetly, with symptoms such as mild sensitivity, bad breath or slight gingival bleeding. However, if not properly prevented, they can develop into widespread or even systemic infections. Good oral hygiene is therefore essential to limit these risks. The dental clinic plays a crucial role in the early detection and treatment of these conditions, whether it’s a simple cleaning, root canal treatment or surgical intervention. Regular check-ups with your dentist help to detect any abnormalities early on and prevent the onset of major complications. In the event of pain or persistent symptoms, it is imperative to consult a professional to prevent these problems from worsening and compromising your overall oral health.
Keep an eye on your teeth and take care of them to prevent the consequences of dental infection
It’s clear, then, that a poorly cared-for tooth or gum infection will lead to health complications such as:
- Cardiovascular disease,
- Respiratory ailments such as colds, sinusitis, rhinitis…
- Abscesses,
- Infections in neighboring teeth,
- Impaired kidney function, etc.
Dental infections facilitate the passage of bacteria into the bloodstream, which can then attach themselves to vital organs such as the heart, brain, lungs, joints or kidneys.
What to do about an oral infection?
If you suffer from a dental infection, it’s vital that you consult an oral health professional to determine the best course of action as quickly as possible. The complications that can develop from an untreated infection are not to be taken lightly.
Antibiotics are an effective short-term solution. Sometimes, a dental surgeon’s intervention is required, whether for subgingival scaling, drainage, cavity treatment or tooth extraction. Surgery is a practical way of treating certain dental pathologies, but sometimes tooth extraction is unavoidable.
To prevent the consequences of dental infections, consult our dentists in Montreal
A dental infection or cavity is a source of toxic bacteria not only for the mouth, but also for the entire body via the bloodstream. These bacteria can lead to cardiovascular disease, sinusitis, abscesses and infections that can affect neighboring teeth.
Your dentist can discover the presence of all these infections through a complete mouth examination, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment with us. The experts at our dental clinic near Plateau Mont-Royal and Hochelaga will be happy to help.