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Celebrating 30 years of Trustworthy Expertise, Dr. Kian Djawdan is a Board Certified Implantologist and considered an expert in implant dentistry.

Can a Tooth Infection Spread to Your Jaw Bone?

Posted on 6/3/2024 by Kian Djawdan DMD

digitally enhanced close up of a patient putting her hand up to her jawline where there is a red and swollen area that might be a sign of infection

A tooth infection, also called a dental abscess, can create a pocket of pus in the inner chamber of the tooth, usually at the pulp. Every tooth has an enamel as its outer protective covering that protects it against attacks by bacteria. However, weak enamel can let bacteria through, which then finds its way into the opening of the tooth.

Causes of a Tooth Infection

Several reasons can lead to tooth infection. If any one of your teeth suffers tooth decay, it can leave room for bacteria to make their way to the tooth pulp and cause an infection.

You can also get a tooth infection if you leave your broken, chipped, or cracked tooth untreated. The openings created as a result of these defects on the teeth are enough to let bacteria into the enamel to cause an infection at the center of the tooth. The most common cause of tooth infection is poor oral hygiene.

Symptoms of a Tooth Infection

The first symptom of a tooth infection is an acute toothache. The pain from a tooth infection is typically continuous. It is sharp, shooting, or throbbing pain that can be too much for some pain medication. You might also feel pain when you try chewing with an infected tooth. Some of the pain can radiate the entire jaw. Your gums may also swell as a result of an infected tooth.

Tooth Infection Spreading to Your Jawbone

If you respond promptly to your tooth infection, you can save yourself from the complications that often arise from an untreated tooth infection. The first complication involves the infection spreading to local tissues. The next thing that happens is the tooth infection spreading to the rest of your body.

The tooth infection can spread to the jawbone and surrounding tissue mainly because of the abscess buildup. The infection can spread to your sinus cavity if the infection is in the back of the mouth. In addition to practicing proper oral hygiene to prevent tooth infection, you should see your dentist at the first sign of a tooth infection.

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Djawdan Center for Implant and Restorative Dentistry, 133 Defense Highway STE 210, Annapolis, MD 21401 / (443) 569-8764 / smileannapolis.com / 12/26/2024 / Page Terms:Dental Implants Annapolis MD /