What is a Jaw Infection and What Does it Feel Like?
An infection in the jaw can occur when a dental cavity is allowed to progress untreated. The cavity in the tooth breeds bacteria that colonizes and causes an infection in the tooth. This infection in the tooth is called an abscess, and if a dental abscess is not promptly treated, the infection can travel into the bone in the jaw and create significant health concerns. Once the infection has passed into the bone, there is a greater risk that it will continue to spread, entering the bloodstream and potentially leading to sepsis, which can be fatal. Treating a dental cavity before infection occurs can prevent infection from spreading, and treating a dental abscess early on can prevent infection from spreading and may even help preserve the life of the once-infected tooth. Symptoms of a dental abscess can include pain and tenderness, swelling and redness in the surrounding area of the gums and face, fever or fatigue, pain in the head and neck, pressure changes in the sinuses, and noticeable pus draining from the affected tooth and into the mouth.
A dental abscess requires prompt medical attention, so call your dentist if you notice any of the above symptoms. The first line of treatment for a dental abscess is to try to drain the infected fluid and treat any infection that remains inside the tooth by removing infected pulp and tissue and treating the area with antibiotics. If the tooth is irreparably infected, your dentist may elect to extract the tooth in an attempt to prevent the infection from entering the bone surrounding the tooth and potentially invading the bloodstream. In addition to becoming infected because of untreated dental abscess, the jaw can also be infected by bacteria that enters the bone through lesions in the oral cavity or due to trauma or injury. Certain people face a higher risk of jaw infection, including people with diabetes, certain drug addictions, or compromised immune systems. All surgical procedures also come with some risk of infection, and jaw infection is therefore more common following some surgical procedures.
When a dental abscess is treated successfully, the pain that was present in the tooth and in the surrounding jaw will subside as the surgical site heals and the infection diminishes. If infection has spread into the bone tissue, it will be treated with antibiotics; if this treatment is unsuccessful at restoring the bone to health, surgical treatment may be necessary. If you do need to undergo surgery for dental abscess or other jaw infection, avoid any future infection by following your dentist’s aftercare procedures meticulously. To avoid jaw infection from developing in the first place, brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush, and make sure to floss or otherwise clean between the teeth at least once a day. See your dentist regularly as well, for regular checkups and professional cleanings, which can help stop gum disease from developing and can facilitate early treatment of any dental cavities that may be present before bacteria can invade them and cause infection.