A tooth infection can be asymptomatic, meaning you may not experience symptoms, or it can be painful. Either way, it’s always a serious condition. There are many reasons why a tooth infection can develop, including deep decay in a tooth or an injury that’s compromised the tooth’s structure, such as a chip or a crack.

Even if you can’t recall a specific injury or issue that would cause a tooth infection, it’s important to be aware of the signs that your tooth may be infected!

Signs & Symptoms Your Tooth Could Be Infected

There are many different signs and symptoms to look out for with an infected tooth. You may notice [1]:

• Swelling in your face or cheek
• Pain in your jaw that could radiate out towards your ear
• A bad taste in your mouth, whether persistent or occasional
• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
• Pain when placing pressure on the tooth, such as when biting or chewing

However, it’s important to remember that not everyone with a tooth infection will experience these signs and symptoms. For some people, a tooth infection won’t show symptoms, or it may not show symptoms until it’s become severe, and then the discomfort may be sudden.

If you’ve had any noticeable injury to your tooth recently, such as a chip or crack or even unexplained pain in your tooth, seeing your dentist before the problem has a chance to escalate to an infection is important!

A Tooth Infection Is a Dental Emergency

A tooth infection is considered to be a dental emergency, meaning you should seek professional care immediately. If you’re seeing any of the above signs or symptoms, call your dentist as soon as possible. If your dentist isn’t able to see you, go to the emergency room [2]. While rare, in some cases, bacteria from a tooth infection can enter the bloodstream, which can be fatal. It’s imperative to get seen as soon as you’re able to address any potential infection in your tooth.

Are You Seeing Signs of a Tooth Infection?

Being aware of the signs of a tooth infection can help you avoid a dental emergency and potentially even save your tooth. Are you noticing signs of a potential tooth infection? If so, contact your dentist today to request to be seen as soon as possible—tooth infections are not to be ignored, as they will get worse with time and can jeopardize not just your tooth, but your life!

Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/symptoms-causes/syc-
20350901
2. https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_g5i7tbrm