Tooth pain can certainly be painful and irritating-however, did you know that it can also be deadly? If you let a tooth which is abscessed go untreated, the results can be extremely painful, and even fatal.
However, sometimes it is difficult to recognize when this is the problem which is ailing you. Thus it is important that you learn how to see the symptoms, and know when to seek treatment.
The last thing you want to do is let it go until it is too late. Once you reach a certain point, you may have to have a painful surgery.
The worst thing you can do if you are feeling pain is wait and not go to the dentist. You may think that any home remedies or quick fixes at the pharmacy will do, as long as it just goes away-this is wrong!
There is usually a much more serious reason why you are experiencing pain. After all, the pain centers in the brain are sending us messages-they function for a reason.
Believe it or not, if you let a problem in your mouth go too long, you could end up in the intensive care unit of the hospital with necrotizing mediastinitis from an untreated abscessed tooth. Within forty eight hours, you could be dead.
If this does not put some fear into you, who knows what will. This is just one example of how deadly an abscessed dental infection can become, once it enters the bloodstream.
Another scenario is in the case of a patient developing Ludwig's Angina. What causes this is severe swelling under the tongue, chin, and neck.
This swelling can become so severe that the airway is blocked causing asphyxiation. If this occurs, a tracheotomy can be performed to protect the airway.
Another complication of this issue can be a brain abscess. Believe it or not, something that starts so small in your mouth can end up poisoning your brain.
Blood pressure in the brain tends to be lower, and blood that drains from the brain goes into the cavernous sinus. The blood from the front of the face also drains into the vessels that drain from the cavernous sinus.
When the blood pressure in the brain is low, you can sometimes create a backflow of blood that can mix with infection from an abscessed tooth that has entered the bloodstream, usually from an affected front canine. This can cause a serious and fatal clot, known as a cavernous sinus thrombosis, and henceforth, a brain abscess can occur.
This is not something you ever want to have to encounter. Without antibiotics and left untreated, this condition can and will kill you.
Septicemia can result from an abscessed tooth. Bacteria gets into the bloodstream, and is carried throughout the body wreaking havoc on all the organs.
If severe enough, it can result in a coma, and even organ failure leading to death. These are serious complications, and they occur more commonly then they should.
Sometimes there is a good prognosis if treated in time, but sometimes there are disastrous repercussions. You do not want to take your chances.
Endocarditis and osteomyelitis are other complications that can arise from this terrible problem. Endocarditis is an infection and inflammation of the lining of the heart and valves.
This can be a very serious complication. Osteomyelitis is an infection in the jaw bone, usually in the maxilla or on the mandible.
This condition can usually be treated with antibiotics, but if there is dead bone present, then surgery will be needed to completely remove the tissue. Some other conditions, though not quite as serious, include sinusitis and loss of enamel.
Damage to neighboring gums and enamel can occur as well. An abscess is not meant to be taken lightly.
Never underestimate the seriousness of this problem, as previously mentioned. If you do not receive the proper treatment, you could end up dead.
If you suspect you have one you should make an appointment with your dentist right away. If you feel as though it has gone beyond that, the nearest emergency room should be able to take care of this problem, and get you the quick help you need.
Author Resource:-
Terry Daniels has been involved with dental research for 15 years and has been published in several scientific journals for his findings on orthodontic practices. He now resides in Florida and recommends this Orlando Dentist.
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