What is a Jaw Infection and What Does it Feel Like?
There are several reasons a person might feel pain in their jaw, and only a dentist can determine the precise reasons for jaw pain and propose possible solutions. In some cases, jaw pain is treated by modifying the teeth and the bite, either with orthodontic treatment or a protective device like a mouthguard, or by treating a decayed or infected tooth that could be the source of radiating pain. If a decayed tooth is left untreated, bacteria can collect in the decaying area and lead to an infection in the tooth. If this infected tooth remains untreated, the infection can spread into the jaw, potentially leading to radiating infection and posing the risk of highly dangerous systemic infection throughout the body. When the jaw is infected, prompt treatment is crucial.
A dental abscess forms when a dental cavity goes untreated. When bacteria infiltrate the inside of the tooth, which is exposed because of the dental cavity, they infect the dental pulp that keeps the tooth alive. Rich with nerve endings and blood vessels, dental pulp is vital tissue that connects the teeth to the vascular and nervous systems and keeps the teeth alive. If infection travels through the dental pulp and into the jawbone, serious health complications can arise. Symptoms of a dental abscess or jaw infection can include pain in the oral cavity or the jaw, redness or swelling in the affected area, and pus that is visibly, noticeably draining from the area. This will probably cause a constant unpleasant taste and foul odor in the mouth. If you have an abscess, seek immediate dental attention. If the infection hasn’t spread from the tooth, your dentist will drain the affected tooth and sterilize its inner surfaces with a topical antibiotic, probably prescribing oral antibiotics as well. If the tooth is severely infected, it may need to be extracted. If infection has begun to spread, surgery is necessary to keep the infection from spreading more broadly into the bones and bloodstream.
Because abscesses and jaw infections occur in the presence of untreated tooth decay, the best way to prevent a jaw infection is to practice good oral hygiene, including regular trips to the dentist for checkups, professional cleanings, and to repair dental cavities before they get worse. Gum disease and tooth decay are the most common causes for tooth loss, and infection in the teeth can spread into the bone that supports the teeth; decayed teeth are more susceptible to infection, as their protective enamel layer is compromised. To keep your teeth free from decay and to protect your entire oral cavity from infection, brush your teeth two times a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, using a gentle, circular motion to scrub the teeth, especially at the gum line, with fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, and make sure to clean between your teeth daily, too, with dental floss or a water flosser. Between your healthy home habits and your dentist’s regular evaluations of your teeth and professional cleanings, you could live your whole life without ever knowing what a dental abscess or jaw infection feels like, which is a pretty solid goal.