Do you feel pain in your teeth or jaw? Is the pain sharp, throbbing, and stabbing? Does the pain get worse when you eat or chew? You may have a tooth infection or what is called an abscess. This problem can result from poor dental hygiene, impact, or other injuries that allow bacteria to enter the inner pulp of the tooth and infect the root or gums and bone near the tooth root (called periapical and periodontal abscesses). These abscesses are not only painful, but can also kill the tooth or even cause the infection to spread to the surrounding body (up to the brain in severe cases). If you suspect you have this infection, visit your dentist immediately.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Observing Tooth Pain
Step 1. Observe the pain felt in the tooth
An infection in the tooth can cause mild to severe pain in the surrounding area, depending on the severity. This pain is generally sharp and comes on continuously. Some dentists describe this pain as sharp, throbbing, or persistent. This pain can extend up and down to the sides of the face such as the ears, jaw, or head.
- The dentist will tap your teeth using a dental probe. If you have an abscess on your tooth, you will feel pain when you tap on the tooth. This is described as "exceptional" sensitivity in the Merck Manual. - or when you bite.
- Keep in mind that if your infection is severe enough, you may not be able to pinpoint which tooth is causing it because the entire area around the tooth will also be painful. The dentist may need an X-ray to determine which tooth is infected.
- If the infection destroys the pulp at the root of the tooth (the "heart of the tooth"), the pain may stop because your tooth is dead. However, that doesn't mean the infection will stop. The infection will continue to spread and damage other tissues and bones.
Step 2. Pay attention to tooth sensitivity
Mild sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures is normal for teeth. It is caused by small holes in the tooth enamel called caries and often does not require special treatment. However, infected teeth will become very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. For example, chances are high that you will feel sick when you eat a hot bowl of soup, even a stabbing pain that doesn't get better after you stop eating.
- In addition to being sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, you may also experience pain when eating sugary foods because sugar can irritate an infected tooth and cause pain.
- All of these repetitive sensations can affect the dental pulp and cause inflammation throughout the tissue and nervous system. In most of the cases, this damage is irreparable and you will have to undergo root canal treatment.
Step 3. Watch for pain when eating
Chewing may also be painful if you have a tooth abscess, especially if you eat solid food. Biting or chewing an apple with your teeth and jaw can cause pain. This pain may not even go away even after you finish eating.
- Keep in mind, there may be other causes of pain in the teeth and jaw when chewing. Pain when chewing does not necessarily mean you have a tooth infection. For example, some people experience stress and pressure on their jaw muscles which can cause similar pain and are called "jaw joint disorders."
- Some people also grind or press their teeth during sleep, which is called bruxism.
- Sinus and ear infections can also cause pain like a toothache, but are usually accompanied by a headache. One of the symptoms of heart disease is tooth and jaw pain. Whatever the real cause, you should always take these pain symptoms seriously and see a dentist.
Method 2 of 2: Recognizing Other Symptoms
Step 1. Watch for swelling or pus
Notice if the gums around the teeth are red, swollen, and sensitive. You may find Pullis, small pimple-like bumps on the gums near the infected tooth to its root. You may also find pus in the wound or around the tooth. This pus actually causes pain because it presses on the teeth and gums. Once the pus drains out, the pain will lessen a bit.
Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth are other signs. Both are directly related to the accumulation of pus. If the tooth has a severe infection, pus will start to come out of the tooth or form a lung in the mouth. This may happen suddenly. If the abscess bursts, your mouth will taste sour or metallic. Besides, it smells bad too. However, try not to swallow the pus
Step 2. Observe the discoloration of the teeth
The color of an infected tooth can change from yellow to dark brown to gray. These changes are caused by the death of the pulp inside the tooth, or "bruising" due to dead blood cells. The pulp of a dead tooth will release toxic materials like anything decayed, and can spread to the surface of the tooth through the porous channels in it.
Step 3. Watch for swelling of the neck glands
Dental infections can spread to the surrounding area, especially if left unchecked. For example, this infection can also affect the jaw, sinuses, or lymph nodes under the jaw or in the neck. These lymph nodes can swell, harden, and are painful to the touch.
All cases of tooth abscess are serious problems that require treatment. However, seek immediate medical attention if the infection is widespread. Because it is close to vital organs, such as the brain, this infection can develop into a problem that threatens your safety
Step 4. Watch out for fever
Your body can react to infection by raising your internal temperature and causing you to have a fever. Normal body temperature ranges between 36.1 and 37.2°C. Usually, a body temperature exceeding 38°C is considered a fever.
- In addition to a fever, you may also have chills, a headache, or nausea. You may feel weak and dehydrated. So, make sure to drink water.
- Seek medical attention if your fever continues to rise or does not respond to medications, or if your temperature rises above 39.4°C for several days.
Tips
- Visit the dentist regularly to prevent dental infections.
- If any of your teeth are broken, or have cavities, or the fillings are damaged, have them repaired immediately to prevent tooth infection.
