Tooth Infection Spreading? An Emergency Dentist's Guide to the UK Warning Signs

It began as a small dull pain but has gradually progressed to you feeling ill, and your toothache has worsened. You may be hoping that it will just “go away,” but a tooth infection is not something to take lightly. Dental infections are more common than you think in the UK; in fact, they are one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions for surgery to drain the infected area—and many of these cases are actually preventable with timely intervention. This blog will help you detect the vital warning signs of spread of a tooth infection, explain why this would constitute a dental emergency, and give a clear plan of action as to what to do next.

What Exactly is a Dental Abscess and Why is This Scary?

A dental abscess is really just a pocket of pus as a result of a bacterial infection. It can form in your tooth (called a periapical abscess) or your gums (called a periodontal abscess). This definition may sound very mild, but an abscess that is not treated is not benign.

To understand, you can consider it like a leaking pipe that is under your sink. Initially, it appears to be in a localized area of damage, but then if it is not treated, water starts coming out of it and into walls, onto floors, and starts leaking into electrical systems, etc.

A dental infection will not stay in that one place. After the bacteria are loose and escape the confines of the tooth root, it will start to invade the jawbone producing the dental abscess, and the infection will then enter into the soft tissues such as the cheek, neck, and throat.

And in very severe scenarios, the infection can enter the bloodstream causing the condition called septicaemia (meaning bacteria in the blood), and this can become life threatening. The goal is to stop this chain reaction before it escalates. If recognized and treated early, many complications can be avoided.

The Signs To Watch For - Important Symptoms That Cannot Be Ignored

Now ironed out, what is the difference between a tooth infection being an annoyance or an alarming issue? Here are 4 signs that you must not ignore:

Sign 1: Pain That Is Persistent And Throbbing That Will Not Subside

If you are experiencing pain that is worse than normal, and it feels throbbing or radiates to your jaw, neck, or ear, you should take notice. This is not a normal toothache, it is a sign that the infection is getting worse. A pain reliever such as ibuprofen can help for a time, but if the pain persists, you should seek treatment in a timely manner.

Sign 2: Facial Swelling

Significant swelling in cheek, jaw, under the chin, and/or around the eye is a significant sign. This indicates that the infection has spread from the tooth and is affecting tissues nearby. If there is any swelling - no matter how small - raised alarm - as the infection will only escalate fast.

Signal 3: Fever and General Feeling Unwell

When a fever is added to the mix with chills or a fast heartbeat, your body is holding up a large neon sign that says, "Something serious is going on!" These systemic symptoms mean that your body's immune system is working overtime to fight off an infection that may be spreading.

Signal 4: Trouble Swallowing or Breathing

THIS IS A SERIOUS EMERGENCY. If swallowing feels like trying to shove marbles down your throat, or you find breathing difficult, call an ambulance or go to A&E immediately. Swelling of tissues can block your airway, and this could be life threatening if action is not taken promptly.

Signal 5: Swelling Under the Jaw or in the Neck

This could indicate Ludwig’s Angina, an infection deep in the neck that could threaten your ability to breathe. Scary, because it is scary and you need to go to the emergency room now if you see significant swelling in these areas.
 

Signal 6: Confused and/or Dazed

If you, or someone else close to you, becomes unusually confused or dazed, it may mean a severe systemic infection is present. This kind of situation warrants an urgent care trip to A&E.

What To Do When You Have a Dental Emergency in the UK- Your Instructions!

So, you have recognized one or more of the warning signs. So what do you do now? Don't panic, but you need to act quickly. Here is your step-by-step process:

Step 1: Don't panic, but call for help as soon as possible

Remember, the UK health system has NHS services designed for these situations. Stay calm but do not hesitate to seek help. If you are in the capital and need emergency dental in London, there are several clinics and urgent care centres available to assist you quickly.

Step 2: Call your registered NHS dentist

If you are registered with an NHS dentist, call them immediately. It is their duty to provide you with an emergency appointment, usually within 24 hours. State your symptoms clearly so they can assess the urgency.

Step 3: Call NHS 111 if you are not able to contact your dentist

You can't be connected with your dentist? Not a problem. You can call NHS 111. The advisors will connect you to an Urgent Dental Care (UDC) service in your area. This will include evening, weekend and holiday access. If you prefer you can go to the NHS website and use the "Find a Dentist" link where you can search specifically for a UDC service.

Step 4: When To Go Straight To A&E

If you are having difficulty breathing or swallowing, if your swelling is so severe that your vision or airways are being impacted, or if you are not feeling well and are confused, do not go to the dentist. Go directly to A&E or call 999.

Avoid Doing These Things While You Wait for Professionally – Care

While you are waiting for professional care, it is easy to make self treatment decisions that can lead to more issues:

•         Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth/gum. This myth can lead to chemical burns to the area.

•         Do not try to pop or drain the abscess yourself. This can potentially spread the infection elsewhere.

•         Do not just take antibiotics. The antibiotic may decrease the level of infection, but it does not solve the problem, the infected tooth.

•         Do not have hot food/drinks. Heat can make the area swell and hurt more.

What you should do instead is wash your mouth out with warm salt water to maintain cleanliness and take over-the-counter pain relief as directed.

Treatment Provided by the Emergency Dentist

The priority of the dentist will be to remove the source of infection. If it is a severe tooth infection, your treatment options are:

•         Incision and Drainage: The dentist makes an incision in the abscess in order to drain out the pus and relieve pressure from the tooth.

•         Root Canal Treatment: This treatment removes the infected tissue inside the tooth while preserving the tooth structure.

•         Extraction: If the tooth is determined to be damaged beyond recovery, the tooth may need to be removed in order to entirely eliminate the infection.

Most of the time, the dentist will also prescribe antibiotics to assist in fighting off any residual bacteria. Please follow their directions to help facilitate your recovery.

Final Thoughts

A tooth infection may begin somewhat innocently, but the expectation of complications from that infection will be anything but. Recognising warning signs early can save you from lots of pain, wasting money on treatment costs, and ultimately - on the extreme - life rights complications. Knowledge is power in this situation.

In conclusion, if you notice any warning signs in yourself, or someone you care about, don't wait. Your health is worth the urgency. Call your dentist, contact NHS 111, or in an emergency - simply call 999 or go straight to an A&E department. London's healthcare system is here to support you; however, you must ultimately share with them that you need preventative treatment.