Various types of infections occur in the mouth. Bacteria cause the most common types of infection. One may also experience viral infections or fungal infections.
Infections occur when bacteria has invaded areas it doesn’t belong. Tooth infections can occur when a cavity goes deep into the tooth. The bacteria infect the pulp and surrounding bone. Bacteria may invade the gum and surrounding bone due to gum disease. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes may allow infection to spread faster.
Oral infections can spread upwards toward the brain or downwards towards the throat or chest. If an infection starts, it is important to manage it quickly and aggressively. Signs to look for are pain, tenderness to touching the gum or tooth, pus draining, bad taste in the mouth, a fever, and the area may be warm to touch.
One of the frequently asked questions is, “Won’t the antibiotic fix the problem?” Antibiotics may be administered as part of the care. However, antibiotics alone will rarely cure the source of the oral infection. The treatment for infections will require definitive treatment such as root canal, deep cleaning of the gums, or extraction to address the source of the infection.
At East Madison Dental, our goal is to optimize your overall health. We believe in being proactive to minimize the harm and risk of infections.
