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Abscess tooth fever chills. Abscess Tooth Fever and Chills: Recognizing Symptoms of Spreading Tooth Infection

What are the signs of a tooth infection spreading to the body. How can you identify if a dental abscess is causing systemic symptoms. When should you seek immediate medical attention for tooth-related fever and chills.

Understanding Dental Abscesses and Their Systemic Impact

Dental abscesses are localized infections that can have far-reaching consequences if left untreated. When bacteria invade a tooth through a cavity, crack, or chip, they can proliferate and form a pocket of pus. This infection, if not addressed promptly, has the potential to spread beyond the confines of the oral cavity, leading to systemic symptoms and potentially life-threatening complications.

Is a dental abscess always confined to the mouth? No, in some cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, causing a range of symptoms that may not seem immediately related to dental issues. Understanding these symptoms is crucial for early intervention and prevention of serious health problems.

Recognizing the Early Signs of a Tooth Infection

Before a tooth infection spreads, it typically presents with localized symptoms that should not be ignored. These early warning signs include:

  • Persistent, throbbing tooth pain
  • Pain that radiates to the jawbone, ear, or neck
  • Increased pain when lying down
  • Sensitivity to pressure in the mouth
  • Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
  • Swelling in the cheek
  • Tender or swollen lymph nodes in the neck area
  • Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth

How long should you wait before seeking treatment for these symptoms? It’s advisable to contact your dentist immediately if you experience any of these signs, especially if they persist for more than a day or are accompanied by fever.

Systemic Symptoms: When Tooth Infections Spread

When a dental infection spreads beyond the oral cavity, it can cause a range of systemic symptoms that may seem unrelated to dental health. These symptoms can include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Fatigue and general malaise
  • Headache and dizziness
  • Skin flushing and sweating
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Increased breathing rate
  • Dehydration
  • Stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting

Why do these systemic symptoms occur? As the infection spreads, it triggers an immune response throughout the body, leading to inflammation and various physiological changes. This systemic reaction can affect multiple organ systems, resulting in the diverse array of symptoms mentioned above.

Fever and Chills: Key Indicators of Spreading Infection

Among the systemic symptoms, fever and chills are particularly significant indicators of a spreading tooth infection. A fever is the body’s natural response to fighting off infection, while chills often accompany the rise in body temperature.

At what point does a fever become concerning in the context of a tooth infection? For adults, a temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher is considered a high fever. In children, 102.2°F (39°C) or higher is cause for concern, while for infants 3 months and older, it’s 102°F (38.9°C). For infants younger than 3 months, any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher requires immediate medical attention.

When Fever Becomes an Emergency

While fever itself is a sign that your body is fighting an infection, certain accompanying symptoms can indicate a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical care if your fever is accompanied by:

  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Mental confusion
  • Unusual sensitivity to light
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Unexplained skin rash
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Pain when urinating

Facial Swelling: A Visible Sign of Spreading Infection

Facial swelling is another critical sign that a tooth infection may be spreading. While some swelling around the affected tooth is common, extensive swelling that affects a larger area of the face or neck can indicate a more serious problem.

What specific swelling symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention? If the swelling makes it difficult to fully open your mouth, impedes swallowing, or affects your ability to breathe, these are signs of a potentially life-threatening condition called Ludwig’s angina. This requires emergency medical intervention.

Dehydration and Other Systemic Effects

As a tooth infection spreads, it can lead to dehydration and other systemic effects. Signs of dehydration include:

  • Reduced frequency of urination
  • Darker urine
  • Confusion or disorientation

Why does dehydration occur in cases of spreading dental infections? The body’s immune response to infection can lead to increased fluid loss through sweating and potentially through vomiting or diarrhea. Additionally, fever itself can cause increased fluid loss through evaporation.

Other systemic effects may include an increased heart rate and breathing rate. A rapid pulse rate accompanied by lightheadedness or breathing more than 25 times per minute are signs that the infection is having a significant impact on your body’s vital functions.

Risk Factors for Developing Tooth Infections

Understanding the risk factors for tooth infections can help in prevention. Some key risk factors include:

  • Poor dental hygiene
  • High sugar diet
  • Dry mouth
  • Untreated dental decay
  • Cracked or chipped teeth

How does a high sugar diet contribute to tooth infections? Sugar provides food for bacteria in the mouth, leading to increased acid production. This acid can erode tooth enamel, creating entry points for bacteria to invade the tooth structure.

The Role of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a condition where the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. This can be caused by aging, certain medications, or medical conditions. Why is dry mouth a risk factor for tooth infections? Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by:

  • Washing away food particles and bacteria
  • Neutralizing acids in the mouth
  • Providing minerals that help remineralize tooth enamel

Without adequate saliva, the mouth becomes more susceptible to bacterial overgrowth and tooth decay, increasing the risk of infections.

Prevention and Management of Tooth Infections

Preventing tooth infections is key to avoiding the potential complications of systemic spread. Here are some essential steps for maintaining good oral health:

  1. Brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
  2. Floss at least once a day
  3. Reduce sugar intake
  4. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
  5. Avoid tobacco products
  6. Drink fluoridated water
  7. Seek regular professional dental care

How often should you visit a dentist for preventive care? Most dental professionals recommend a check-up and cleaning every six months, although some individuals may need more frequent visits based on their oral health status.

Managing Tooth Pain at Home

If you’re experiencing tooth pain and waiting for a dental appointment, there are some steps you can take to manage discomfort:

  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen
  • Avoid hot or cold foods and drinks
  • Eat only cool, soft foods
  • Avoid chewing on the side of the tooth pain

Can salt water rinses help with tooth pain? Yes, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief. However, it’s important to remember that these measures are not substitutes for professional dental care, especially if an infection is suspected.

When to Seek Emergency Care for Dental Issues

While not all dental problems require emergency care, certain situations call for immediate attention. Seek emergency dental or medical care if you experience:

  • Severe, uncontrolled pain
  • Significant swelling of the face or neck
  • High fever accompanied by dental pain
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Signs of dehydration
  • Rapid heart rate or breathing

Why is rapid intervention crucial in these cases? Dental infections that have progressed to cause these symptoms can potentially be life-threatening if left untreated. Conditions like Ludwig’s angina or sepsis can develop rapidly and require immediate medical intervention.

The Importance of Follow-Up Care

Even after receiving emergency treatment for a dental infection, follow-up care is crucial. This may include:

  • Completing the full course of prescribed antibiotics
  • Attending follow-up dental appointments
  • Implementing recommended oral hygiene practices
  • Addressing any underlying dental issues that may have contributed to the infection

How long does it typically take for a dental infection to resolve with proper treatment? While initial improvement may be seen within a few days of starting antibiotics, complete resolution of the infection and healing of the affected area can take several weeks. During this time, maintaining good oral hygiene and following your dentist’s instructions is crucial to prevent recurrence.

Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to Body

Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to Body

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Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — By Scott Frothingham — Updated on February 14, 2023

If an infected tooth causes fever, fatigue, or other symptoms, the infection may be spreading to your body. You may need medical attention.

It starts with a toothache. If your sore and throbbing tooth is left untreated, it could become infected. If your tooth becomes infected and isn’t treated, the infection could spread to other places in your body.

Symptoms of an infected tooth can include:

  • throbbing tooth pain
  • throbbing pain in the jawbone, ear or neck (typically on the same side as the tooth pain)
  • pain that worsens when you lie down
  • sensitivity to pressure in the mouth
  • sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
  • cheek swelling
  • tender or swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • fever
  • bad breath
  • unpleasant taste in mouth

If an infected tooth is not treated, the infection could spread elsewhere in your body, which is potentially life-threatening. Signs and symptoms that the infection in the tooth has spread include:

You feel unwell

  • headache
  • fatigue
  • dizziness

You run a fever

  • skin flushing
  • sweating
  • chills

Your face swells

  • swelling that makes it difficult to fully open your mouth
  • swelling that impedes swallowing
  • swelling that impedes breathing

You become dehydrated

  • reduction in frequency of urination
  • darker urine
  • confusion

Your heart rate increases

  • rapid pulse rate
  • lightheadedness

Your breathing rate increases

  • over 25 breaths per minute

You experience stomach pain

  • diarrhea
  • vomiting

You should call your doctor if you, your child, or your infant has a high fever. A high fever is defined as:

  • adults: 103°F or higher
  • children: 102.2°F or higher
  • infants 3 months and older: 102°F or higher
  • infants younger than 3 months: 100.4°F or higher

Get immediate medical attention if the fever is accompanied by:

  • chest pain
  • difficulty breathing
  • mental confusion
  • atypical sensitivity to light
  • seizures or convulsions
  • unexplained skin rash
  • persistent vomiting
  • pain when urinating

A tooth becomes infected when bacteria gets into the tooth through a chip, crack, or cavity. Your risk factor for a tooth infection increases if you have:

  • poor dental hygiene, including not brushing your teeth 2 times a day and not flossing
  • a high sugar diet, including eating sweets and drinking soda
  • dry mouth, which is often caused by aging or as a side effect of certain medications

Not all toothaches become serious health concerns. But if you’re experiencing a toothache, it’s best to get treatment before it gets worse.

Call your dentist for a same-day appointment if your toothache lasts longer than a day or is accompanied by other symptoms such as:

  • fever
  • swelling
  • trouble breathing
  • difficulty swallowing
  • red gums
  • pain when chewing or biting

If you have a broken tooth or if a tooth comes out, see your dentist right away.

While you’re waiting to see the dentist, you might find relief by:

  • taking ibuprofen
  • avoiding hot or cold drinks and food
  • avoiding chewing on the side of the tooth ache
  • eating only cool, soft foods

You’re at risk of tooth infection if you don’t have good dental hygiene. Take good care of your teeth by:

  • brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day
  • flossing your teeth at least once a day
  • decreasing your intake of sugar
  • eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables
  • avoiding tobacco products
  • drinking fluoridated water
  • seeking professional dental care

If untreated, a tooth infection could potentially travel to other areas of your body, resulting in a potentially life-threatening infection. Signs of a tooth infection spreading to the body may include:

  • fever
  • swelling
  • dehydration
  • increased heart rate
  • increased breathing rate
  • stomach pain

Call your dentist for a same-day appointment if you or your child experience any of these symptoms in addition to a toothache.

Last medically reviewed on May 28, 2019

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  • Dental abscess. (2019).
    nhs.uk/conditions/dental-abscess/
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Fever.
    mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Tachycardia. 
    mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355127
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Toothache: First aid. 
    mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-toothache/basics/art-20056628
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Tooth abscess.
    mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/symptoms-causes/syc-20350901
  • Park SB, et al. (2019). Tachypnea. 
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541062/
  • Vital signs. (2019).
    my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10881-vital-signs
  • When an infection attacks the heart. (2016). 
    health.harvard.edu/heart-health/when-an-infection-attacks-the-heart

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Feb 14, 2023

Written By

Scott Frothingham

Edited By

Heather Hobbs

May 28, 2019

Written By

Scott Frothingham

Edited By

Heather Hobbs

Medically Reviewed By

Christine Frank, DDS

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — By Scott Frothingham — Updated on February 14, 2023

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5 Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Rest of the Body

Did you know that you can die from a toothache? That’s a sobering thought.

Most of the time toothaches are caused by infections that are merely painful inconveniences. But if the infection worsens and spreads to the rest of the body, it can be serious. For a small number of people, it’s even deadly.

To avoid this happening to you, you can simply learn the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading to the body. Then you’ll know when to seek immediate medical attention for your annoying toothache.

What Is a Tooth Abscess?

First of all, let’s talk about what a tooth abscess is. Simply put, it is a pocket of pus in your tooth. Though it can occur anywhere in your tooth, it is common to see it at the tip of the tooth’s root.

The following symptoms are indicators that you have an abscess.

  • A nagging toothache
  • Sudden, extreme sensitivity to hot or cold
  • Sensitivity while chewing and biting
  • Facial swelling
  • A pocket of pus (like a large pimple) on your gum line near the affected tooth
  • Swollen lymph nodes under your jaw

With proper treatment, a tooth abscess doesn’t normally get too severe. Your dentist will simply drain the infection. To save the tooth, you may need a root canal. It’s not the most fun way to spend an afternoon, but it’s a relatively simple fix.

What Are The Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Body?

If an abscess ruptures, you may notice a sudden foul taste or even salty fluid in your mouth. You’ll probably also notice that your pain subsides and think that you are out of the woods.

Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily true.

The rupture can be one of the first signs that the infection is beginning to spread. If it enters the bloodstream it can cause a serious condition called sepsis. This is when things get life-threatening.

If you notice the rupture, seek medical help immediately. However, the abscess won’t always rupture on its own. Or it may rupture when the problem has already become quite severe.

Thus, if you notice any of these other 5 symptoms, even without an obvious rupture, you should seek emergency medical help at once.

1. Feeling Unwell

The first thing you may notice is that you start to feel unwell. That nagging toothache may turn into a nagging headache. The pain may also travel up your jawbone and into your ear.

You may also notice that you start to feel fatigued like you are about to come down with something. In some cases, you may have bouts of dizziness as the pain and infection interfere with the workings of your inner ear.

2. Fever

Fever is your body’s natural defense against infection. A body temperature that is too high is a hostile environment for many of the bacteria that cause infection. Thus, your body is attempting to kill off the invaders.

The trouble is that a high body temperature isn’t necessarily good for your body and the good things in it either. If your fever stays consistently above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, this could be an indication that sepsis is beginning to set in. Likewise, a drop in temperature below 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit could also be a symptom.

You may also experience chills and shivering–classic fever symptoms.

3. Swelling

Minimal swelling in your face is a normal symptom of the abscess. But if it persists or you are not able to get in to see your dentist, go to the emergency room.

Left untreated it can begin to affect your breathing and swallowing. Not only is this a sign that the infection is spreading, but also it can be life-threatening if it closes off your airway enough.

4. Increased Heart and Breathing Rate

Do you notice that your heart starts beating faster than normal? What about your breathing? Do you feel like you’re panting to get enough air?

Both of these are indications that sepsis is beginning to set in. If this happens to you, don’t wait to get in to see your dentist. You need to see a doctor right away.

5. Dehydration and Stomach Pain

You may notice that you don’t have to pee very much. And when you do, your urine is a darker color than normal. This means that you’re getting dehydrated and moving into the second stage of sepsis.

You may also begin to experience stomach pain and even diarrhea and vomiting. Both of these symptoms will speed your rate of dehydration and cause even more severe problems.

Prevention

Knowing how to avoid an abscess altogether is even better than knowing the symptoms of one that’s spreading. Be sure to maintain good oral health habits like these.

  • Brush twice a day
  • Floss at least once a day
  • Use mouthwash to help kill unwanted bacteria
  • Swap out your toothbrush for a new one every 3-4 months
  • Visit your dentist as recommended
  • Avoid eating too much sugar

These are all simple tips that should already be a regular part of your oral care routine. If not, though, maybe learning about the seriousness of an abscess and what a tooth infection can do to you will be a motivating factor.

Stay Healthy!

Do yourself a favor. Know these symptoms of a tooth infection spreading to the body so you’ll know what to watch out for. And practice good oral hygiene and health every day to reduce the risk of ever having to deal with something as unpleasant as an abscessed tooth, root canal, or sepsis.

Looking for a new dentist? We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us today to learn about and schedule preventative services. We also provide emergency care if you think you may already have an abscess that needs to be taken care of.

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Tooth abscess – causes, methods of treatment in the clinic and at home – ROOTT

The gums are reddened, swollen, sore – these are classic signs of a tooth abscess, an inflammatory process in which pus forms. Accumulating in the cavity, as in a bag, pus causes swelling of the gums. In the people it is called flux.

Purulent inflammation can lead to serious consequences, so it is impossible to self-medicate if the gums are swollen. In dentistry, the cause of the abscess will be determined and specific treatment will be carried out.

Purulent abscess of the tooth – causes

When immunity is weakened, as a result of trauma or infectious diseases of the teeth, pathogens penetrate into the tissues surrounding the tooth (periodontium). In response to this, the body produces special cells, neutrophils. They neutralize pathogens, but die themselves. Pus is the remnants of dead cells, destroyed proteins of bacteria and neutrophils.

In dentistry, there are 3 types of abscess, depending on the cause:

  • Periapical
    A purulent sac is formed at the top of the root.
  • Periodontal
    An abscess occupies a space between the gum and the root.
  • Desnevoy
    Localized in soft tissues, does not affect the root.

The type of abscess depends on how the pathogens have entered the tissues.

Caries leading to periodontitis

Advanced caries destroys the hard tissues of the tooth and penetrates into the pulp – the neurovascular bundle. Most often, pulpitis is accompanied by severe pain, but in some cases, the pain is not very pronounced, paroxysmal. If pulpitis is not treated in time, the tissues around the root become inflamed, periodontitis develops. Active formation of pus begins. Soon the pouch sticks out under the mucous membrane of the gums. In some cases, the root abscess breaks and a fistula forms in the gum, through which the pus comes out. Due to the fact that the pressure on the tissues is reduced, the patient experiences a feeling of relief. However, the formation of a fistula does not mean recovery. The inflammatory process continues and will eventually lead to tooth loss.

Incorrect treatment

Periodontitis can result from the negligence of a doctor. If the canals of the tooth are not completely sealed, then bacteria begin to multiply in the resulting voids, provoking an inflammatory process.

An abscess after tooth extraction occurs in 2 cases:

  • The surgeon did not calculate the forces and caused injury during the extraction, damaging the bone tissue.
  • The patient did not follow the recommendations of the dentist, which led to the penetration of pathogens into the wound.

Periodontitis

When the periodontium (tissues and ligaments that hold the tooth in the socket) becomes inflamed, the dentogingival attachment weakens, the gum ceases to fit snugly against the tooth, and tartar accumulates in the gap (periodontal pocket). It is a landing site for bacteria that multiply rapidly, causing the body’s immune response, which means the formation of pus. A swelling is formed in the projection of the pocket. It can be an abscess of the front tooth or side. Where the pocket is deeper, the likelihood of suppuration is higher.

Pericoronitis

Teething, especially third molars (wisdom teeth), can become painful. If the incorrect location or thick mucosa does not allow the “eight” to cut through completely, a hood of mucous forms on the tooth. There are leftover food. As they decompose, they provide nutrients for bacteria, which in turn cause inflammation. It can spread to the gum, forming a wisdom tooth abscess.

Trauma

It happens that when brushing your teeth, while eating or with poor-quality prosthetics, the gums are injured. The integrity of the mucous membrane is broken. Pathogens that are always present in the oral cavity penetrate inside. As a result of their active reproduction, accumulation of pus begins, a gingival abscess develops.

Symptoms

It all starts with slight pain when biting. Then there is swelling on the gum. The pain syndrome is growing. The general condition worsens. The temperature rises, Pain gives to the ear and head. Lymph nodes increase in size, an abscess develops independently of the upper tooth, or the lower one. A putrid odor comes from the mouth. When the abscess breaks through, a fistula is formed. It exudes pus. When the acute process subsides, the fistula closes, but only until a new aggravation.

Treatment

Diagnostic measures help determine the cause and plan treatment.

For diagnostic use:

  • Patient interview
  • Visual inspection
  • Radiography

An x-ray will help identify the causative tooth and show what is causing the suppuration: root inflammation, periodontal pocket or trauma.

At this stage, the decision is made whether to extract or save the tooth.

If it is decided to save the tooth, then the algorithm of therapeutic measures for periodontitis is as follows:

  1. All tissues affected by caries are removed.
  2. The tooth is depulped, the canals are left open.
  3. If the channels have already been treated, then the old fillings are removed, the channels are cleaned, but not sealed. This facilitates the outflow of pus. If there is a crown on the tooth, they immediately proceed to the next stage.
  4. The gum is opened. Insert drainage. After a while it is removed. This step is not always carried out.
  5. Medical paste is inserted into the canals of the tooth. The cavity is closed with a temporary filling. After 4-8 weeks, a follow-up examination is carried out. If there is no recurrence, the canals are sealed with gutta-percha, a permanent filling is placed on the tooth.

If therapeutic methods do not help, or a fixed prosthesis is on the tooth, then a surgical method is used. The top of the root is amputated, eliminating the cause of inflammation. At the same time, a tooth cyst, abscess or granuloma is removed.

The treatment regimen for periodontitis is somewhat different. The main method of removing pus is open curettage or flap surgery. The periodontist exfoliates the gum flap, opens access to the root and cleans it from hard plaque and decomposition products. The wound is disinfected, sutures or a periodontal bandage are applied. After a week, the stitches are removed.

Gingivectomy is performed in mild cases. An incision is made on the gum through which the pus is removed.

For pericoronitis, the hood is excised, allowing the tooth to erupt. It also ensures free outflow of pus. The wound is treated with an antiseptic solution, a bandage is applied.

In case of injury, the irritant is removed. If the gum injures the prosthesis, it is changed. A foreign object (a fish bone, for example) is removed. Provide an outflow of exudate.

Regardless of the cause of the abscess, antimicrobial therapy is mandatory. For better healing, dentists recommend salt baths for several days.

Common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as paracetamol can help relieve pain. After opening the abscess, relief quickly comes and painkillers are required only in the first day or two.

Home remedies

Folk healers advise rinsing the mouth with saline, soda solutions, infusions of sage, calendula, chamomile. It is recommended to use propolis in the form of alcohol lotions.

These remedies may temporarily relieve pain, but they do not eliminate the cause of the inflammation. Therefore, relief is temporary, inflammation increases and can result in serious complications. And alcohol infusions also lead to a chemical burn of the mucous membrane.

A tooth abscess cannot be cured without the intervention of a dentist. Only an integrated approach to treatment can stop the inflammatory process.

Why an abscess is dangerous

If the symptoms of inflammation are not very pronounced, most people postpone a visit to the dentist. This leads to complications, develops:

  • Chronic tooth abscess
    The disease acquires a cyclic character: pus-fistula-outflow of pus-closure of the fistula. Then a cold, exacerbation of common diseases or another reason provokes a new cycle. Each time, the risk that pus will penetrate deep into the tissues or be carried by the bloodstream throughout the body increases.
  • Phlegmon
    This is already a diffuse purulent process that captures large areas. There is a strong intoxication of the body, the general condition worsens. Phlegmon is dangerous for its main complication – blood poisoning.
  • Sepsis
    As a result of the fact that the infection spreads throughout the body, sepsis affects all organs, leading to their failure. Causes fever, drop in blood pressure. Treatment of sepsis is difficult, the prognosis is not always favorable.

Prevention

The easiest and most effective way to prevent is daily oral hygiene. With its help, most of the plaque is removed, which means that the risk of developing caries and its complications is significantly reduced.

Professional teeth cleaning prevents the formation of tartar, minimizes the possibility of periodontitis.

A visit to the dentist once every 6 months allows you to detect dental diseases in time, before they become complicated by the formation of an abscess.