{"id":93,"date":"2022-12-14T09:39:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-14T09:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cordiniperiodontics.com\/blog\/?p=93"},"modified":"2023-01-03T21:39:49","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T21:39:49","slug":"why-not-to-ignore-a-toothache-in-louisville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cordiniperiodontics.com\/blog\/2022\/12\/14\/why-not-to-ignore-a-toothache-in-louisville\/","title":{"rendered":"Ignoring a Toothache: A Fatal Mistake?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the grand scheme of things, a toothache in Louisville may not seem like a big deal. After all, aren\u2019t little body pains a natural part of life? You can surely ignore it without anything bad happening. The truth, though, is that a toothache is often more dangerous than you\u2019d think. Left untreated, one could prove fatal enough to send you to the emergency room. As for how that\u2019s possible, your local dentist will tell you the answer. Here\u2019s a summary of why an achy tooth might point to a deadly infection that needs urgent care<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

An Achy Tooth May Be Infected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A toothache isn\u2019t dangerous in and of itself. Instead, the real problem is what it sometimes signals: a tooth infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you might guess, a tooth infection occurs when bacteria gets inside your pearly white. These microbes can irritate and infect the pulp, sending pain signals to your brain. Should that happen, your tooth will likely feel achy until it receives proper treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Infected Tooth May be Fatal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, an infected tooth can do more than just cause discomfort. Without proper care, its infection will spread to other body parts. You could then face one (or more) of the following conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sepsis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In response to an infection, your body may release chemicals that trigger widespread inflammation. This chain reaction, called sepsis, would then damage your organs and make them fail. Thus, you must watch out for this condition\u2019s symptoms \u2014 fever, difficulty breathing, low bread pressure, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breathing & Respiratory Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bacteria from an infected tooth can reach your lungs through breathing. This scenario is risky, as the lung is the best breeding ground for such bacteria. Once the microbes start multiplying quickly, they\u2019d make it hard for you to breathe or cause other respiratory problems. Needless to say, such things can lead to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meningitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apparently, a tooth infection can even lead to meningitis. The latter \u2014 a life-threatening brain and spinal cord swelling \u2014 is especially dangerous for those with weak immune systems. In fact, its death rate is as high as 70 percent, according to CDC research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How an Emergency Dentist Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An emergency dentist can treat a tooth infection if you see them quickly. Depending on the issue\u2019s severity, they could then suggest (and perform) options like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n