“Is a tooth infection an emergency?”
I am a 29 year old female. I have a tooth infection. Is a tooth infection an emergency?
10 Answers
Yes.
Mitchel Friedman
Mitchel Friedman
It's not that simple. It depends on the diagnosis by a dentist. Go to a dentist.
Good afternoon,
It would not be an emergency but to have it examined by a doctor.
Thank you
It would not be an emergency but to have it examined by a doctor.
Thank you
What is your definition of an emergency? Dental infections typically do not heal themselves. They can cause significant pain and if the infection is bad enough, put you in the hospital. So it's best if you contact your dentist ASAP.
Without looking at X-rays and absent pain, it may not meet the definition of an emergency. However, it is an active infection which will do nothing but get worse and more expensive to treat. In addition, it can cause bad breath, sinus infections, bacteria can migrate throughout your body, and it lowers your overall immune resistance because your body is fighting the infection. I can put It another way: if you had a smelly, puss-filled wound on your hand, would you think it was an emergency to get it taken care of?
Jim Kline
Jim Kline
Dr. Alan Bruce Steiner
Dentist | General Practice
It would be smart to treat an infected tooth as an emergency. It can become life-threatening overnight depending on the cause and the location.
Alan B. Steiner, DMD
Alan B. Steiner, DMD
Absolutely. Tooth infection is the definition of an emergency. Worse case you can get sepsis from it and end up in the Hospital. Most cases involve extreme pain and swelling. A trip to the ER will cost you for the trip and some antibiotics and then they will direct you to your dentist. Skip the middle man and go straight to your dentist for evaluation and relief.
It definitely can be, so I would go with yes on this. Some things can wait, but without knowing your situation, I would have to say it's an emergency.
It can become an emergency if it is left untreated. An infection in a lower tooth can spread between muscles under the tongue and cause swelling that can close off the airway. An infection in an upper tooth can spread into the sinuses and left untreated to the brain. Both of these are rare because most people treat infections before they get to this state due to the pain they usually cause. You should get prescribed antibiotics and have the tooth treated as soon as you’re able. -Dr. Bishop
Yes definitely
