Preventing and Treating Tooth Infections

It can start out with a mild sensitivity to cold.

Or perhaps your tooth starts to hurt when you eat. There could be swelling or a bad taste in your mouth. Or one day you wake up with pain in your tooth.

A tooth infection can occur when bacteria invade the pulp of a tooth or the tissues around it. This can happen because of advanced decay, cracked teeth, injury or even gum disease.

We can treat tooth pain and dental infections at our North York dental clinic. Tooth infections can happen for many different reasons. They can be treated and, in some cases, prevented with proper dental care.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them.

What Is a Tooth Infection?

All teeth normally contain a soft tissue known as the dental pulp.

It’s made up of nerves and blood vessels that travel throughout the tooth. Normally this tissue is protected by the hard layers of the tooth, but bacteria can sometimes get inside.

Whether it’s from advanced tooth decay, a cracked tooth, a broken filling, dental trauma, older dental work or gum disease, bacteria can reach areas where they shouldn’t be.

Once bacteria invade the pulp, it can become inflamed or infected.

Bacteria can enter the tooth through deep cavities, cracks or restorations that no longer seal the tooth properly and may eventually lead to an abscess.

What Is a Dental Abscess?

A dental abscess can develop around a tooth or in the gums.

If an infection from inside your tooth spreads past the root, an abscess can form. An abscess may also develop because of gum disease.

Common symptoms of an abscessed tooth can include:

• Throbbing tooth pain
• Pain when you bite
• Tender or swollen gums
• Swelling in your face or jaw
• A bad taste in your mouth
• Sensitivity to hot or cold
• Fever
• A bump on your gums

Dental abscesses can develop because of tooth decay, periodontal disease or cracked teeth. If left untreated, infection may spread into the tissues and bone surrounding the tooth.

Can You Have a Tooth Infection Without Pain?

Yes.

While pain can be one of the main symptoms, it is possible to have an infected tooth without severe pain.

You may feel pain in your tooth and then one day it seems to stop. That doesn’t necessarily mean the infection has gone away.

An abscessed tooth may sometimes cause little or no pain even though there is still infection around the root.

Make sure to pay attention to other signs such as swelling, tenderness or discomfort when you bite.

What Causes Tooth Infections?

As we mentioned above, there are many possible causes of tooth infections.

Advanced Tooth Decay

When a cavity first forms, it affects the outer layers of your tooth. If it is left untreated, decay can continue deeper and eventually reach the pulp.

Once the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, you may begin to experience tooth pain.

Cracked or Broken Teeth

A cracked tooth can create an opening for bacteria to enter.

You may not always know you have a cracked tooth unless it starts to hurt when you bite or becomes sensitive to temperature.

Dental Trauma

Your tooth can be damaged even if you can’t see an obvious break.

An injury to the mouth can affect the pulp inside the tooth without actually fracturing the visible part of the tooth.

Broken Fillings or Dental Work

Over time, fillings and crowns can wear, loosen or break.

This may allow bacteria to get underneath the restoration, which can lead to tooth decay or infection.

Gum Disease

Infections can also develop in the tissues surrounding the teeth.

Periodontal disease can cause pockets to form around your teeth where bacteria collect. In some situations, a periodontal abscess can develop.

Dabuleanu Dental also provides treatment for gum disease and other periodontal conditions.

What Are the Signs a Tooth Infection Is Getting Worse?

Your body can give you signs that something is wrong.

If you are experiencing pain or swelling around a tooth, make sure to seek dental care.

Signs that a tooth infection may be getting worse include:

• Increasing pain
• Increasing swelling
• Swelling of the face or jaw
• Fever
• Pain when biting
• A bad taste in your mouth
• A tooth that is very tender to touch
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Feeling generally unwell

If you experience these symptoms, make sure to seek dental care promptly. Don’t simply assume the problem will go away on its own.

Our Emergency Dentistry service at Dabuleanu Dental is available for patients dealing with severe pain, infection and other urgent dental problems.

When Is a Tooth Infection an Emergency?

There are many situations where you should contact your dentist about a tooth infection.

But if swelling in your mouth is making it difficult to:

• Breathe
• Swallow
• Speak normally

seek emergency medical care.

If swelling is affecting your ability to breathe or swallow, do not wait for a regular dental appointment.

Will My Tooth Infection Go Away on Its Own?

A dental abscess needs professional treatment.

Your pain may sometimes decrease if an abscess begins to drain, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the infection has gone away.

You still need to have the tooth examined so the source of the infection can be identified and treated.

If you suspect you have a dental abscess, contact a dentist promptly.

How Do You Treat a Tooth Infection?

There isn’t one treatment for every tooth infection.

Treatment depends on what is causing the infection, where it is located and how far the problem has progressed.

Your dentist will examine the area and may take X-rays to help determine what is happening.

Treatment may include:

• Root canal treatment
• Drainage of an abscess
• Periodontal treatment
• Tooth extraction
• Antibiotics in certain situations
• A combination of treatments

It all depends on what is causing the infection and what needs to be done to treat the source.

Root Canal Treatment for an Infected Tooth

If infection has reached the pulp inside your tooth, root canal treatment may be recommended.

During a root canal, the infected or inflamed tissue is removed from inside the tooth. The root canals are then cleaned, shaped and sealed.

The goal is to treat the infection while preserving the natural tooth whenever possible.

Learn more about our Root Canal Treatment.

Can an Endodontist Treat a Tooth Infection?

Yes.

Endodontists are dental specialists who focus on problems involving the dental pulp and tissues around the roots of teeth.

They can diagnose and treat problems such as tooth infections, abscessed teeth and persistent tooth pain.

Learn more about our Endodontic services.

What if My Tooth Becomes Infected After a Root Canal?

There are times when a tooth can develop another problem after having root canal treatment.

This can happen for a number of reasons.

The tooth may require root canal retreatment. During retreatment, the previous filling material is removed and the canals are cleaned, disinfected and sealed again.

Learn more about our Root Canal Re-Treatment.

When Might You Need Surgery for a Tooth Infection?

Many infections involving the inside of a tooth can be treated with root canal therapy.

But if infection or inflammation persists around the end of the root after treatment, endodontic surgery may sometimes be recommended.

One procedure is called an apicoectomy. During this type of surgery, infected tissue around the end of the root is removed and the root end is sealed.

Learn more about our Root Canal Surgery.

Will Antibiotics Cure a Tooth Infection?

Many patients ask us this question.

There are situations where antibiotics may be prescribed as part of treatment.

But antibiotics alone do not always solve the problem.

If there is infection inside a tooth or an abscess, dental treatment may still be needed to drain the infection or remove the source.

Your dentist will determine whether antibiotics are appropriate based on your symptoms and the type of infection present.

Do I Need to Have My Tooth Extracted if It’s Infected?

Not always.

Whenever possible, the goal is to preserve the natural tooth.

But if the tooth is too badly damaged, fractured or compromised to be predictably restored, extraction may be recommended.

Your dentist or endodontist can explain what options may be available to save the tooth.

Can I Lose My Teeth From a Gum Infection?

Yes.

Infections can also develop in the gums and supporting tissues around the teeth.

If periodontal disease progresses, bone can be lost around the teeth. Over time, this can cause teeth to become loose.

A localized periodontal abscess can also develop around a tooth.

Learn more about our Gum Disease Treatment.

How Can I Help Prevent Tooth Infections?

You can’t prevent every dental problem.

A tooth can crack unexpectedly or become injured in an accident.

But there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of decay, gum disease and infection.

Brush Your Teeth

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

This helps remove plaque and reduce your risk of tooth decay.

Clean Between Your Teeth

Brushing alone cannot clean every surface.

Floss or another interdental cleaning method can help remove plaque and food from between the teeth.

Treat Cavities Early

If you catch a cavity early, it is usually easier to treat.

Regular dental examinations can help identify cavities before they become painful or reach the pulp.

Have Cracked Teeth Checked

If you suspect you may have a cracked tooth, have it evaluated.

It may not hurt all the time, but a crack can sometimes cause problems later.

Replace Broken Fillings and Crowns

If you have a damaged filling or crown, have it checked.

Bacteria may be able to get underneath a restoration that is broken or no longer sealing properly.

Wear a Mouthguard

If you participate in sports or activities where your teeth could be injured, use an appropriate mouthguard.

See Your Dentist Regularly

Keeping up with dental appointments gives your dentist an opportunity to identify problems before they turn into emergencies.

Regular brushing, cleaning between the teeth and professional dental care can all help reduce the risk of dental infections and abscesses.

What Should I Do if I Think I Have a Tooth Infection?

See your dentist.

Don’t assume that it is just a cavity or something that will disappear on its own.

There are many possible causes of tooth pain.

Your dentist can evaluate what is causing the problem and help determine what to do next.

If you are experiencing significant pain or swelling, call our office so the team can determine how quickly you should be seen.

Tooth Infection Treatment in North York

There are several reasons why a tooth infection should be treated.

Pain is one of them, but treating the source of the infection is also important to prevent further problems.

At Dabuleanu Dental, we offer general dentistry, emergency dentistry and endodontic care in North York.

If you are suffering from tooth pain, swelling or a suspected infection, contact our office to arrange an assessment.

Dabuleanu Dental
2 Finch Ave W
North York, ON M2N 6L1
416-222-5055

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