Tooth Infections

Can a Tooth Infection Spread to the Body?

Signs a Tooth Infection Has Become Systemic

A tooth infection (sometimes called a dental abscess) is a pocket of bacteria and pus in your tooth. Left untreated, this tooth infection can spread to other parts of your body and, in severe cases, may lead to life-threatening conditions.

It’s estimated that 1 in 2,600 Americans visits the hospital for a tooth infection. Even more people probably show signs of infection without knowing how to recognize it.

A tooth infection can affect your systemic health. A dental infection may spread to your bloodstream, face, sinuses, neck, jawbone, or your entire body.

Difference between “infection” vs. “abscess”: An infection of bacteria can lead to an abscess (AKA a pocket of pus). These terms are often used interchangeably, even though they are slightly different.
Keep reading for the warning signs of tooth infection, the whole-body effects of spreading infection, how to treat or prevent dental abscess, and when to seek immediate medical attention.

If you’re worried about a potential tooth infection, schedule an appointment with Rejuvenation Dentistry. We have decades of experience with minimally invasive treatments that never expose your body to toxins like mercury.

Signs of Tooth Infection

The first signs of a tooth infection include:

Tooth pain (can be sharp, dull, or throbbing)
Swelling or bleeding of the gums
Bad breath (halitosis) or bad taste in your mouth
Sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweet food and drink

Note: The tooth abscess where infection has set in may feel tough or hard to the touch.

Impact of Untreated Tooth Infection on Systemic Health

Let’s cover the whole-body symptoms and complications of an untreated dental infection.

It is rare for tooth infections to spread to other parts of the body as long as you treat them, but an infection should always be addressed. If left untreated, dental infections usually take weeks or months to spread to other areas of your body. Below is what to look out for.

First, here are the signs of a tooth infection spreading to the rest of your body:

Chest pain
Chronic fatigue
Confusion
Constant bad breath
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Extreme, persistent sensitivity to cold or heat
Feeling generally sick (malaise)
Fever over 100°F
Higher heart rate (tachycardia)
Increased breathing rate
Loss of appetite
Loss of consciousness
Nausea, vomiting
Rancid taste in the mouth (possibly when an abscess ruptures)
Severe toothache from the tooth outward
Skin rash or discoloration
Swelling in the gums, neck, cheeks, or tongue
Tender, swollen lymph nodes

Call your dentist immediately if you believe you have developed a systemic infection from a tooth abscess, or get to the nearest emergency room. This is often a medical emergency.

Secondly, these are medical conditions that an untreated tooth abscess may lead to:

Brain abscess: When a pocket of bacteria swells in your brain, which can lead to death.
Cavernous sinus thrombosis: An infection of the blood vessels within the sinuses.
Cellulitis: An infection of the skin and fat right under your skin.
Heart problems Including chest pain, blood infection, endocarditis, and mediastinitis.
Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone surrounding your infected tooth.
Parapharyngeal abscess: A pocket of pus at the back of your oral cavity.
Periapical abscess: An abscess at the tip of your tooth’s root.
Pulmonary actinomycosis: An infection in your lungs.
Sepsis: Occurs when blood becomes infected, at which point the immune system can severely overreact, leading to life-threatening illness.

Get The Mouth-Body Connection on Amazon

greyscale of Gerry Curatola crossing his arms in suit

Potential Causes

The underlying cause of tooth infections is bacteria entering your inner tooth via a cavity or a chip in the tooth. The resulting infection can lead to an abscess (pocket of pus) at the tip of the tooth’s root.
The following causes and risk factors increase the chance of infection setting into your tooth and gums:

Weakened immune system: If you have a weak immune system, your body is less prepared to fight off tooth infections.
Cracked or chipped tooth: Bacteria can get into cracked or chipped teeth, leading to a tooth infection.
Damaged dental work: Fillings, crowns, and root canals can become damaged, leaving a crack for bacteria to enter and cause infection.
Dental cavities: Tooth decay (AKA cavities) can get deep enough that bacteria may seep in and cause infection.
Dry mouth: Certain medications, dehydration, conventional chlorhexidine mouthwash, sleeping with your mouth open, and old age can lead to dry mouth. Having a dry mouth is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Excess plaque: Excess plaque can build up if you don’t brush your teeth and floss. Plaque biofilm mainly consists of harmful bacteria, which are also the culprits in tooth infections.
High-sugar diet: Harmful bacteria feed on sugars and starches in your diet. Limiting your carb intake should slow the growth of oral pathogens and stop tooth decay from opening your teeth up to infection.
Injury to teeth or gums: If your gums or teeth are damaged — for example, tortilla chips scratch your gums to bleeding, or a glass bottle chips your tooth — harmful bacteria might sneak into the wound and cause infection. (A gum infection may be called periodontal disease, gum disease, or gingivitis.)
Poor dental hygiene: You should brush your teeth and floss daily to remove plaque on and in between your teeth. Letting plaque run wild can allow bad bacteria into your pearly whites and cause an abscessed tooth. Use prebiotic toothpaste to strengthen your oral microbiome.

Treatment Options

Below are a few science-backed treatment options for tooth infection. These treatments may be home remedies or require a healthcare professional.

Yes, a tooth infection can be treated in an innovative, holistic way through biological dentistry.

Antibiotics

Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to fight the bacterial infection in your affected tooth or throughout your body. Antibiotics have been overprescribed in my lifetime, leading to an epidemic of antibiotic resistance.

Consider natural antimicrobials like garlic, ginger, and curcumin to avoid nasty side effects from manmade pharmaceuticals.

Oil Pulling

Coconut oil pulling may reduce harmful bacteria in your oral cavity and help balance your oral microbiome. Oil pulling is good for your oral hygiene and can help fight the spread of bacterial infection.

Simply swish 1 tablespoon of coconut oil around your mouth for 5-20 minutes, then spit it into the trash where it will become solid at room temperature.

Saltwater Rinse

This is a cheap way to soothe pain and swelling. Saltwater promotes wound healing, so more bacteria can’t penetrate your tooth.
Mix ½ teaspoon salt with ½ cup of warm water, then swish around your mouth for 2 minutes. Add a pinch of baking soda for extra antibacterial power.

Hydrogen Peroxide

This non-drinkable liquid is cheap and found in most households. It’s a good antibacterial remedy for infections like a dental abscess. One study suggests combining H2O2 with hyaluronic acid for the best results.

If you decide to swish this around your mouth to treat the infection, remember not to swallow any of it.

Clove Essential Oil

Apply pre-diluted clove essential oil to a cotton swab, and press it gently against the infected area. Use up to 3 times a day to benefit from clove oil’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

If you have concentrated clove oil, dilute it with a carrier oil.

Phage Therapy

A recent treatment option for dental infections is phage therapy, in which a healthcare professional administers bacteriophages to attack harmful bacteria on teeth.

It’s been shown to have a significant antibacterial influence (even on antibiotic-resistant bacteria) in gum disease and infections in dentin, around dental implants, and after a root canal.

Draining the Dental Abscess

Your dentist or doctor can drain the dental abscess of the infected pus to discourage further spread of bacteria. You should not do this yourself for safety reasons; you could make it worse.
Your dentist or doctor will numb the area, create a small incision, then drain the infected fluid from your tooth in a safe, sanitary, controlled environment.

Root Canal Treatment

A dentist can perform a precise root canal treatment that removes the infected part of your tooth to prevent further spread.
This dental treatment is often unnecessary and harmful, but your dental care professional can discuss whether a root canal is the best choice for you.

Tooth Pulling

Some dentists may simply pull the infected tooth if they deem it necessary. A tooth extraction should stop the spread of infection unless it has already proliferated.

Talk to your dentist about dental implants to replace the extracted tooth. Consider biocompatible materials for your dental implants: ceramic, titanium, or a custom composite.

Prevention

You can take multiple steps to prevent a tooth infection from starting or spreading:

Brush your teeth twice a day using a sonic toothbrush to disrupt harmful biofilms that contribute to tooth infection.
Use a prebiotic toothpaste to support a healthy oral microbiome that naturally heals oral wounds and tooth decay that may contribute to tooth infection.
Floss or use interdental brushes once a day to remove plaque from between your teeth. Be careful – flossing should not make your gums bleed.
Consider a natural mouthwash that can fight harmful bacteria. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes, which lead to dry mouth and harmful bacterial proliferation. Rinsing your mouth with just water is actually good for you, especially after meals.
Limit your intake of sugars and starches, such as sodas, snacks, and bread. Infection-causing pathogens feed on sugary foods.
Take natural anti-inflammatories (e.g., curcumin, fish oil, resveratrol, green tea) to reduce inflammation. Ibuprofen also works, but you may want to avoid its side effects.
Avoid conventional root canals. They are invasive and carve out so much of your tooth that infections are more likely to take hold of what’s left.
See your dentist twice yearly. Dental checkups are crucial for prevention and cleaning. Consider a biological dentist who will consider your whole-body health and biocompatibility.

Read more: Foods That Are Good For Your Teeth

greyscale of someone's palms touching together

Schedule a Consultation

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

You should call a doctor and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following severe symptoms:

Chest pains
Convulsions
Difficulty breathing
Extreme sensitivity to light

High fever (103°F or higher for adults)
Pain with urination
Ruptured abscess

Unexplained confusion
Unexplained skin rash
Vomiting excessively

If you believe you have developed a systemic infection from a tooth abscess, call a doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room. A spreading infection can cause serious complications and is often a medical emergency. If left untreated, a tooth infection can lead to brain, lung, and heart problems. It can also swell the tongue or mouth, severely restricting breathing. In severe cases, the effects of an untreated infection can lead to death.

While waiting to see the doctor or dentist, you might slow the infection’s spread by:

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and NSAIDs
Maintaining good oral hygiene
Eating softer foods
Avoiding hot or cold food and drink
Chewing on the non-infected side of your mouth
Limiting intake of sugar and carbs, which harmful bacteria feed on
Consuming natural antibacterials, such as garlic, honey, and ginger

Safe, Holistic, and Anxiety-Free Dental Care

Tooth infections are painful but also dangerous to your whole-body health. But don’t fret — there are ways to treat and prevent infections from spreading or from happening in the first place.

If you are worried about a dental infection, schedule an appointment with Rejuvenation Dentistry. With our decades of experience, we make dentistry safe and anxiety-free!

Dr. Gerry Curatola is a renowned biologic restorative dentist with more than 40 years of clinical practice experience.

He studied neuroscience at Colgate University and attended dental school at the New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry, where he now serves as Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care.

Articles

Sources

Sanders, J. L., & Houck, R. C. (2023). Dental abscess. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493149/
Su, N., Marek, C. L., Ching, V., & Grushka, M. (2011). Caries prevention for patients with dry mouth. J Can Dent Assoc, 77(b85), 1-8. Full text: https://www.datocms-assets.com/146642/1735848743-b85.pdf
Habboush, Y., & Guzman, N. (2018). Antibiotic resistance. Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513277/
Shanbhag, V. K. L. (2017). Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene–A review. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 7(1), 106-109. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5198813/
Boccalari, E., Khijmatgar, S., Occhipinti, C., Del Fabbro, M., Inchingolo, F., & Tartaglia, G. M. (2024). Effect of hydrogen peroxide and hyaluronic acid in mouth rinse after third molar extraction: A triple-blind parallel randomized controlled clinical trial. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 28(13), 3946-3957. Full text: https://air.unimi.it/bitstream/2434/1115708/2/ERMPS%202024%20Boccalari.pdf
Wongsawan, K., Chaisri, W., Tangtrongsup, S., & Mektrirat, R. (2019). Bactericidal effect of clove oil against multidrug-resistant Streptococcus suis isolated from human patients and slaughtered pigs. Pathogens, 9(1), 14. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7169397/
Hosseini Hooshiar, M., Salari, S., Nasiri, K., Salim, U. S., Saeed, L. M., Yasamineh, S., & Safaralizadeh, R. (2024). The potential use of bacteriophages as antibacterial agents in dental infection. Virology Journal, 21(1), 258. Full text: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12985-024-02510-y
Digel, I., Kern, I., Geenen, E. M., & Akimbekov, N. (2020). Dental plaque removal by ultrasonic toothbrushes. Dentistry journal, 8(1), 28. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7175112/

Pancu, D. F., Scurtu, A., Macasoi, I. G., Marti, D., Mioc, M., Soica, C., ... & Dehelean, C. (2021). Antibiotics: conventional therapy and natural compounds with antibacterial activity—a pharmaco-toxicological screening. Antibiotics, 10(4), 401. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8067816/