Can a Tooth Infection Spread to Jaw?
Bacteria are the sworn enemies of mouth health. They are to blame for annoying tooth infections that can also have unpleasant consequences.
Inside the oral cavity, in fact, it is easy for bacteria to proliferate by feeding on food residues that accumulate between one tooth and another, on the gums or under the tongue. From there it is a short step to attack the enamel of the teeth, up to the dentin and the dental pulp.
How to prevent tooth infections?
Tooth infections begin due to the proliferation of bacteria inside the mouth. It is easy to understand that the first step in keeping the oral cavity healthy is to maintain accurate oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth after all meals, using mouthwash and flossing are therefore essential steps to keep your teeth healthy.
At the same time, it is also good practice to schedule regular professional hygiene sessions at your dentist, approximately every six months. On these occasions it will also be possible to identify any principles of infections, in order to be able to adequately treat them and prevent them from giving rise to more serious problems.
The consequences of tooth infections
The consequences of the most common tooth infections are caries, gingivitis, abscesses, and periodontitis.
Caries: What it is and what are the causes
Caries is one of the most common diseases of the mouth. It is mainly due to poor oral hygiene and the accumulation of bacteria that feed on sugars and secrete acids capable of attacking tooth enamel first, then dentin. Generally, caries causes a blackening of the affected portion of the tooth. Often it initially manifests itself with an enamel-only black point, which gradually enlarges until it presents itself as a real hole in the tooth in the most advanced stage. Caries may have no symptoms. There are people who until the tooth breaks, they don't even notice they have it. In these cases it must be diagnosed with a thorough examination or an x-ray.
Gingivitis: What it is and what are its causes
Gingivitis, like other infections of the mouth, is also caused by poor oral hygiene, especially in association with predisposing factors such as smoking, alcohol abuse or diabetes. It is recognized by the reddening of the gingival margin, that is the part of the gum attached to the tooth, and by the tendency to bleed during brushing.
Abscess: What it is and what causes it
The abscess is a collection of purulent material that can manifest itself at the apex of the tooth root or at the gum level. When the abscess occurs at the apex of the tooth, the cause is often endodontic, i.e. due to inflammation of the internal "nerve". When this dies, if proper root canal therapy is not performed, it can undergo putrefaction and, consequently, an abscess can occur. In the case of gum abscesses, on the other hand, the main cause is to be found in an accumulation of plaque, a wound or a deposit of food not removed in the gingival sulcus.
Periodontitis: What it is and what causes it
Periodontitis is generally the natural evolution of neglected gingivitis, although not in all cases the two are related. It represents the actual disease of the supporting tissues of the tooth, including the gum, and the periodontal ligament, which joins the tooth to the gum and bone, and the jawbone itself.
In many cases it is associated with bleeding and pain to arrive in the most severe cases with dental mobility. Periodontal teeth have the typical elongated appearance as the disease first caused a reduction in the gingiva and then in the bone with consequent uncovering of the root.
If any infection, regardless of the cause, begins to spread from the root of the tooth, affecting the surrounding bone tissues, it can cause severe jaw pain. The treatment of an abscess involves the intake of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs, the treatment of the tooth responsible for the infection through root canal therapy or devitalization , and in rare cases the incision of the abscess to favor its drainage and the elimination of the cause that it has determined it. In severe cases, the only solution may be the extraction of the tooth involved. In the event that you find yourself facing the consequences of dental inflammations, it is therefore very important to consult your dentist and strictly follow his instructions to avoid serious damage to the health of the mouth and teeth.