Did you know that ignoring a toothache could potentially kill you? Maybe it’s hard for you to imagine how a simple toothache could turn deadly but it’s possible. A tooth abscess or a pus-filled infection inside the tooth or between the tooth and the gum can quickly turn into a potentially serious condition. The pain can be tolerable in the beginning, but it can turn intense within a day or so accompanied by throbbing or sharp, shooting pain. A dentist Indian River would be able to address this issue and provide restoration procedure and preventative care to avoid this situation in the future.

When Can a Toothache Become a Serious Threat?

The number of Americans hospitalized due to dental abscesses is on the rise and has increased by more than 40% in recent years. There are telltale signs to know when a toothache becomes serious. Here are the following symptoms and conditions to watch out:

• Swelling in your jaw or lymph nodes
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth normally
• Toothache along with symptoms of a heart attack including chest pain, jaw pain, nausea, shortness of breath, or pain in one or both arms or shoulders
• Fever or earache
• Severe pain that lasted for at least a couple of days

Other signs include persistent foul breath and a swollen face. An untreated tooth infection could lead the infection to spread to your heart, bones, or your brain and these are life-threatening infections.

Preventing an Abscess

Tooth infection causes disruption on your daily activities and dealing with tooth pain is not something we all look forward to. Prevention is a very important part of your dental treatment plan and doesn’t slack off on dental visits. If you smoke, have gum disease, or diabetes that increases your risk for dental problems, then you should schedule even more frequent dental visits.  In addition to dental visits, practicing good oral hygiene like flossing and brushing and eating healthy is a must to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

See a Dentist Indian River Today!

Don’t let toothache become a full-scale infection before seeking dental help. If something feels wrong or is painful, it’s best to seek treatment as soon as possible or you could risk an infection to become life-threatening. Talk to our dentist Indian River at Smooth Sailing Dental about any dental issues you may have. Contact us today for more information.