Can bad oral health kill you?

If left untreated for too long and allowed to progress to advanced stages, tooth decay can be VERY dangerous and YES, it can kill you. An infected tooth, caused by extensive tooth decay or a severely broken tooth, becomes dangerous if left untreated. When a tooth develops an abscess, a pimple-like sore forms on the gums at the site of the infected tooth, a sure sign of a dental problem. The infection can carry bacteria into the bloodstream.

This is how the infection is transmitted throughout the body, as infected bacteria attach to the cell walls of blood vessels and organs. From there, bacteria can spread, create blockages, or break off to be implanted elsewhere in the body. Rarely, the infection can reach the brain or heart, where it can be fatal. In some cases, an infected tooth may not show warning signs, such as pain or discomfort, so routine exams are important to protect your oral health and overall health.

Poor oral health can affect the brain. Substances released from inflamed gums caused by infection can destroy brain cells and cause memory loss. Dementia and possibly even Alzheimer's disease can be caused by gingivitis when bacteria in the mouth spread to nerve channels or enter the bloodstream. Although rare, a dental infection can kill you.

An untreated dental infection can spread to other body tissues in a matter of weeks or months and cause life-threatening complications. A dental infection occurs when bacteria reach the pulp. This can occur due to dental injury or tooth decay. Although death from a dental infection is rare, it can still occur.

An untreated dental infection can penetrate other body tissues within a few weeks or months. This can cause complications that can be life-threatening. Let's find out how a dental infection can kill you, how long it can take, and when to seek help. In fact, it may take longer for a woman with poor oral health to become pregnant than if she had good dental health.

Preventing oral health problems, such as gingivitis and periodontal disease, can go a long way in reducing the risk of more serious health problems throughout the body.