Can you be hospitalized for a tooth infection? What to know

Toothaches can be very painful.

If you're feeling intense pain that makes you think about going to the emergency room, you might have a tooth abscess. This is a serious condition that can happen if a dental infection gets worse.

In some cases, it may require hospitalization, especially if it causes severe pain or affects your overall health.

Knowing how serious your dental issue is can help you decide what to do next.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to manage a tooth infection and when you should seek emergency care.

What is a Tooth Infection?

A tooth infection occurs when bacteria invade the nerve or soft tissue of the tooth, known as the pulp. This can happen due to tooth decay, an injury, or even prior dental treatments.

As the infection worsens, pus begins to accumulate around the affected tooth, forming what is known as a dental abscess.

So, can you be hospitalized for a tooth infection?

When a dental abscess arises, it is classified as a dental emergency.

What is a Tooth Abscess?

A tooth abscess is a type of dental emergency. 

It is a painful pocket of pus that forms in or around your tooth because your body is fighting the infection. 

The pus is usually thick and can be white or yellowish.

Common signs of a tooth abscess include:

• Severe, constant, throbbing toothache that spreads pain.
• Sensitivity to hot or cold.
• Discomfort when chewing or biting.
• Swelling in your face or cheeks.
• Tender and swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck.
• Fever and feeling very tired.

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a dentist right away.

Complications from untreated tooth infections

If a tooth infection is not treated, it can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious, life-threatening problems that may need hospitalization.

Some of these serious issues include:

• Sepsis: A severe reaction by the body to the infection.
• Necrotizing Fasciitis: A severe infection that kills soft tissue in the body.
• Ludwig’s Angina: A serious bacterial infection under the tongue.
• Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone.
• Brain Abscess: A collection of pus in the brain.

For urgent concerns, visiting 4th Floor Dental on time can prevent complications and the need for hospitalization.

What are the risk factors that can lead to complications from a tooth infection?

Various factors can increase your chances of experiencing complications from a dental infection, including:

• Older age.
• Having diabetes.
• Having a weakened immune system.
• Malnourishment.

You should be especially careful if you have: dental implants, dental bridges, or other surgical treatments.

When should you go to the emergency room for a tooth infection?

A tooth infection can quickly become a dental emergency. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see an emergency dentist:

• Pain around the affected tooth.
• Red and swollen gums.
• A bad taste in your mouth that won't go away.
• Bad breath.
• Sensitivity to pressure or hot/cold temperatures.

Some symptoms may mean your tooth infection is getting worse. If you experience any of the following, go to an urgent care center or the emergency room:

• Fever.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Headaches.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Swelling around your face, neck, or eyes.
• Difficulty opening your mouth or jaw.
• Difficulty breathing.

Recent studies show that every year, thousands of individuals end up in hospitals because of complications from tooth infections. 

Therefore, it's important not to wait until you're feeling extremely unwell to get help.

How will a tooth infection be treated?

This is what you should expect during this dental emergency: 

• A dentist may start by making a small cut in your gums to drain the abscess. This can provide quick relief, but it is usually just a temporary solution, and more treatment will likely be needed.
• Then, it will come to a root canal, where the dentist removes the infected pulp from the tooth. This will clean the inside thoroughly and then fill it. 
• To restore the tooth's strength and function, a crown is placed on top.
• If the infected tooth cannot be saved with a root canal, it may need to be removed. This is often the last option to prevent further problems.
• Antibiotics will be prescribed to help treat tooth infections. 
• Depending on how serious the infection is, you might get oral antibiotics or intravenous (IV) antibiotics. 
• However, a root canal or extraction will still be necessary along with the antibiotics to fully resolve the issue.
• You can expect blood tests and dental X-rays to be done.

Conclusion 

A tooth infection can turn into a serious situation, like tooth abscesses, sepsis, or even death if not treated.

You can be hospitalized for a tooth infection, and it’s the best choice if your health is at risk.

If you think you have a tooth infection, call your emergency dentist as soon as possible.

The sooner you get help, the better when it comes to dental emergencies.

If you’re in Toronto, 4th Floor Dental is here for our patients with our emergency dental service.

Want to learn more about our clinic? Give us a call!