How Do You Know if You Have a Tooth Infection?

A tooth infection can be one of the more painful dental problems to live with, and it does not resolve by itself. Recognising the early signs matters, because prompt treatment is easier and less involved than treatment of an infection that has been allowed to spread. In this article we look at how to identify a tooth infection, what causes it, how dentists diagnose it, and what you should do about it.

What Is a Tooth Infection?

A tooth infection, also known as a dental abscess, occurs when bacteria reach the pulp of the tooth — the inner chamber containing the nerve and blood supply. This usually follows untreated decay, gum disease or trauma to the tooth. The result is infection and inflammation in the soft tissue, and often a collection of pus at the root tip or in the surrounding gum. Left untreated, the infection can extend into neighbouring tissue and bone.

What Are the Common Symptoms of a Tooth Infection?

Tooth infections often begin with mild discomfort and build in intensity. These are the signs that most commonly point to one.

• Throbbing tooth pain. The most frequent symptom is a persistent throbbing ache, which may be sharp or dull. It can intensify when you chew or touch the tooth, and may radiate into the jaw, ear or neck. Constant pain of this kind warrants a dental appointment.
• Swelling in the gum or face. Swelling may appear in the gum next to the tooth or across the face, caused by pus collecting in the area. In more advanced cases it can extend toward the jaw or neck. Significant swelling suggests the infection is spreading and needs attention promptly.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold. Increased sensitivity to temperature is common when the infection involves the nerve inside the tooth. The pain is often sharp and can linger well after the hot or cold stimulus has gone.
• Pus or discharge from the gum. Pus is a clear sign of infection and may drain through the gum near the base of the tooth. A yellow or white discharge, sometimes accompanied by a bad taste, should be assessed without delay.
• Fever or feeling generally unwell. A raised temperature, fatigue or a general feeling of being unwell can accompany a dental infection, particularly if it has begun to spread beyond the tooth. These are systemic signs and should be taken seriously.

What Causes a Tooth Infection?

Understanding the causes makes prevention more straightforward. The following are the most common routes to a dental abscess.

• Cavities. Untreated decay eventually breaches the enamel and dentine and allows bacteria into the pulp. Regular examinations are how cavities get caught while they are still small.
• Gum disease. Gingivitis and periodontitis create pockets around the tooth where bacteria accumulate, and infection can take hold in the supporting tissues. Gum disease is generally driven by plaque left undisturbed at the gum line.
• Tooth injury or cracks. A tooth that has been cracked or broken through trauma gives bacteria a direct path to the pulp. This is one reason it is worth having any dental injury checked, even when it does not hurt at first.
• Poor oral hygiene. Irregular brushing and flossing allow plaque and tartar to accumulate around teeth and gums, which sets up the conditions for both decay and gum infection.

How Do Dentists Diagnose a Tooth Infection?

Diagnosis usually involves a combination of examination and imaging rather than any single test.

• Physical examination. Your dentist checks for swelling, redness, tenderness to pressure and any discharge around the suspected tooth.
• Radiographs. X-rays show the extent of the infection, any bone loss at the root tip, and damage to the tooth or surrounding structures that is not visible in the mouth.
• Pulp vitality testing. Cold or electric pulp tests help establish whether the nerve inside the tooth is still healthy, dying or already necrotic, which guides what treatment is appropriate.

How Is a Tooth Infection Treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and on how much healthy tooth structure remains. The aim is to remove the source of infection and relieve the symptoms. Your dentist will explain which options apply to your tooth, along with their risks.

• Antibiotics. Where the infection has spread beyond the tooth or there are systemic signs, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics support treatment but do not remove the underlying cause on their own, so definitive dental treatment is still needed.
• Root canal treatment. If the pulp is infected, root canal treatment removes the infected tissue, disinfects the canal system and seals it. It is an irreversible procedure — the tooth is left non-vital and often needs a crown afterwards to protect it from fracture. Root canal treatment can fail and sometimes needs retreatment.
• Tooth extraction. Where a tooth cannot be saved, removal may be the appropriate option. Extraction is permanent and irreversible, and it carries risks including bleeding, infection of the socket and, at some sites, damage to adjacent structures. Replacing the tooth afterwards is a separate decision to discuss with your dentist. Infected wisdom teeth are a common example.
• Drainage of an abscess. Where pus has collected, draining it relieves pressure and pain and helps clear infection from the area. This is usually done alongside, not instead of, treating the tooth itself.

Symptoms and What to Do About Them

As a quick reference, here is how the common symptoms usually map to the sensible next step.

• Tooth pain — sharp or throbbing pain in a tooth. Arrange a dental appointment; treatment may involve antibiotics or root canal therapy.
• Swelling — swelling of the gum or face. A cold compress may ease it, but seek dental care promptly.
• Sensitivity — a strong reaction to hot or cold. Avoid the triggers and have the tooth examined.
• Discharge or pus — yellow or white drainage from the gum. This needs urgent dental care.
• Fever or feeling unwell — raised temperature or flu-like symptoms alongside dental pain. Seek dental attention the same day, and medical care if you are unwell.

Should You See a Dentist for a Tooth Infection?

Yes. A dental infection needs professional attention, because the source of the bacteria has to be dealt with directly. If it is left, the infection can extend beyond the tooth, and the potential consequences include the following.

• Spread through the bloodstream, which in rare cases can lead to a serious body-wide infection.
• Bone loss, where the infection involves the jawbone around the root.
• Facial cellulitis, a spreading infection of the soft tissues of the face.

If you have facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a high fever, that is a medical emergency and you should attend a hospital emergency department rather than waiting for a dental appointment.

What Happens if a Tooth Infection Goes Untreated?

An untreated infection tends to progress rather than settle. Pain may come and go — a period of relief can simply mean the nerve has died, not that the infection has cleared — while the bacteria continue to affect the bone around the root. The longer it continues, the more likely it becomes that saving the tooth is no longer possible. Early assessment usually means simpler treatment and a better chance of keeping the tooth.

Tooth Infection Care at Helix Dental

At Helix Dental in Mermaid Waters, our dentists assess and treat dental infections, and we keep time available for emergency dental appointments. We will examine the tooth, take the radiographs needed, explain what is happening and set out the treatment options along with their risks and costs before proceeding. Routine general dental care remains the most reliable way to catch decay and gum problems before they reach this stage.

If you think you may have a tooth infection, contact the practice on 07 5572 8969 or email hello@helixdental.com.au.