What Are Dental Infections?
When we get dental infections, they often come with soreness or pain in the mouth. This makes them uncomfortable to live with, hence the need for dental infection treatment. The very severe ones can prevent you from going about your daily activities. In this article, we will learn all there is to dental infections in Toronto.
A dental infection happens when microbes (bacteria) invade the pulp of the teeth and spread to surrounding structures. The pulp is the soft area within the tooth and a common site for microbial invasion. Dental procedures, trauma, or dental caries are common causes of dental infections. Normally, the pulp is a protected part of the tooth. Trauma to a tooth or a dental procedure can allow bacteria to enter the pulp. Tooth decay is another condition that can lead to this problem. When bacteria get into the pulp, it can cause a build-up of pus which is known as an abscess. An untreated abscess can easily lead to an overwhelming and severe infection.
Types Of Dental Infections
Dental caries comes top of this list. Most people know this infection as tooth decay. The process starts when microbes start to degrade monosaccharides and disaccharides on our teeth to form acids. We get these compounds from food rich in sugar. These acids start to erode the enamel of the teeth and this results in tooth decay and the formation of cavities. Initially, one may experience no symptoms. However, as the infection worsens, symptoms like heat or cold sensitivity and pain begin to manifest. Pain can be mild or severe when dental caries gets to the level of the pulp. Dental caries are one of the commonest infections in childhood because they have poor oral hygiene and a penchant for sugar-rich foods. In aging patients, the recession of the gums can expose the roots to dental caries.
Another dental infection is pulpitis. Pulpitis can happen when dental caries or any of the bacterial products during tooth decay eat into the pulp. Microbes can also access the pulp through a fracture in the tooth. When this occurs, there is a kind of pain that is elicited by temperature changes. Hence, a person may feel this pain when they take cold drinks. In severe situations, pulpitis can lead to complications like a periapical abscess or even death of the pulp. Treatment usually requires dental surgery in Toronto. An oral surgeon in Toronto will remove the dead pulp tissue and drain the pus.
Periodontal infections are a group of infections caused by microbes in the subgingival dental plaque. They are gingivitis and periodontitis. These infections can be transmitted by saliva. Treatment poses some difficulty in that an attempt to work on infected areas can lead to bacterial dissemination into the blood. This can be fatal in elderly ones and people with reduced immunity. In gingivitis, the gums become inflamed without a loss of the bones that support the teeth. There is usually redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. Periodontitis is the loss of the bone, as a result, long-standing gingivitis. In severe cases, it can lead to a periodontal abscess that manifests as red, swollen gums that are very painful to touch. It can spread to involve other parts of the face and jaw.
Signs And Symptoms Of Dental Infections
We have mentioned some signs and symptoms alongside the dental infections discussed earlier. A sore tooth is the most consistent sign of a dental infection. One may notice swelling of the gums and fever too. A bad breath may be noticed in some infections as well as a bitter taste. Tooth sensitivity to temperature changes is another common symptom.
Prevention Of Dental Infections
Proper oral hygiene is a major way of preventing dental infections. We are expected to brush our teeth twice daily and floss regularly. Fluoride treatments are very effective in preventing dental caries. Regular checkups at the dentist are also crucial. There, you can get early detection and diagnosis of dental infections. Wisdom tooth infection requires removal by an oral surgeon in Toronto. The earlier you get your dental infection treated, the better it always is.