Toothaches are common and often dismissed as minor nuisances. You might pop a painkiller, avoid chewing on one side of your mouth, and hope it goes away. But what happens if it doesn’t? Can ignoring a toothache actually become life-threatening?
The short answer is yes. While most toothaches aren’t fatal, ignoring one can lead to serious, even deadly, complications if the underlying issue is left untreated.
What Causes a Toothache?
Toothaches usually indicate an underlying problem such as:
- Tooth decay.
- Gum disease.
- An abscess (infection).
- Cracked or broken teeth.
- Impacted wisdom teeth.
Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t right. If the issue is an infection, ignoring it can give it time to worsen and spread.
When a Toothache Turns Dangerous
One of the most serious consequences of ignoring a toothache is a dental abscess, which is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. If left untreated, the infection can:
- Spread to surrounding tissues (cellulitis).
- Enter the bloodstream (sepsis).
- Travel to vital areas like the jaw, neck, or brain.
Once an infection reaches these areas, it can lead to life-threatening conditions, including:
- Septicemia (blood poisoning): This occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause systemic inflammation, which can lead to organ failure.
- Ludwig’s Angina: A rare but severe cellulitis that affects the floor of the mouth and neck. It can block the airways and make breathing difficult.
- Brain abscesses: In very rare cases, oral infections can spread to the brain, causing swelling and damage to brain tissue.
While these outcomes are rare, they are entirely preventable with prompt dental care.
Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you experience any of the following symptoms along with a toothache, seek immediate medical or dental attention:
- Swelling in the face or neck.
- Fever or chills.
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
- Pus or foul-tasting drainage in the mouth.
- Persistent, throbbing pain that doesn’t go away.
These are red flags that an infection may be spreading and require urgent care.
Why Early Treatment Matters
The earlier a toothache is treated, the easier and less costly the solution tends to be. What starts as a small cavity can often be resolved with a filling. Ignored, it may require a root canal, or worse, lead to tooth loss or serious infection.
In most cases, toothaches don’t go away on their own. Even if the pain subsides, the problem could still be progressing silently in the background.
It’s easy to put off going to the dentist, especially if you’re busy or anxious about the visit. But a toothache is your mouth’s cry for help. Ignoring it can not only lead to more pain and higher costs—it can, in extreme cases, become life-threatening.
About the Practice
Are you experiencing a dental emergency that involves a toothache? Don’t wait – come visit the experts at DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton. We’ll get you in soon with same-day, evening, and weekend appointments available for your convenience. We have a wide range of services under all one roof, with numerous options to make emergency dentistry more affordable. Don’t delay, schedule an appointment with us today through our website or by calling (972) 236-7906.