New Haven Dental Group is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
Many people dismiss toothaches as a frustrating but non-urgent problem. In some cases, that assumption is true. In other cases, however, ignoring a toothache can lead to major consequences for a person’s overall health. Some people have even died as a result of not visiting their emergency dentist when they should have. This blog post discusses how a toothache can affect the rest of your body and how you can protect your overall well-being.
Tooth Infections Do Not Stay in the Tooth
It is important to keep in mind that a toothache is not a dental problem. Rather, it is a symptom of a dental problem. It can be caused by a wide range of factors, some of which are non-urgent. However, if a toothache is the result of an infection in the tooth, the bacteria that caused the infection will continue to multiply. It can proliferate to the point where it spreads throughout the body, causing widespread systemic illness.
The illness caused by a tooth infection can become quite serious, even leading to the need to visit the emergency room. If the doctors are unable to get the infection under control, it could prove to be fatal. In one recent decade, there were more than 61,000 hospitalizations related to periapical abscesses (a particular type of tooth infection), and 66 of those patients passed away.
How to Tell if a Toothache Is Endangering Your Health
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms along with your toothache, it is possible that the infection has already begun to spread throughout your body. You should visit the local emergency room right away.
- You feel unwell.
- You have a fever.
- There is significant swelling in your face.
- Your heart rate and breathing are faster than normal.
- You are dehydrated.
- You are experiencing stomach pain and digestive problems.
Protecting Your Oral and Overall Well-being
While the above information should be taken seriously, it is not meant to scare you. If you seek treatment in the early stages of a toothache, it is likely that your dentist will be able to address any infection long before it poses a threat to your overall well-being. They may use root canal therapy to clean out infected tissue, or they might remove an infected tooth altogether. Antibiotic therapy may also be necessary.
Of course, it would be best to prevent infections from occurring in the first place. Most of the time, it is possible to do so by sticking to a thorough oral hygiene routine and visiting your dentist for preventive care twice a year.
A toothache is so much more than an annoyance. It is a sign that you should seek professional help ASAP. Your prompt action could save your life!
Meet the Practice
The large team of dentists and specialists at New Haven Dental Group offer a comprehensive range of oral health services, including root canal therapy, extractions, and more. We are often able to accept emergency patients on a same-day basis, so we invite you to call us as soon as you have any concerns about your oral health. Contact us at 203-712-4068.