Septicaemia From Oral Infections

Cellulitis From A Tooth-ache?

Hi friends!
Today's write up is related to sepsis caused due to tooth infection.

The concept of sepsis:

The body attacks an infection with large numbers of white blood cells;
Pus is accumulation of these white blood cells,dead tissue and bacteria.

Usually pus from a tooth-infection drains into the gums first.
The gums swell near the root of the tooth.

Depending on the location of the tooth, the pus may drain into the soft tissues(cellulitis), causing swelling in the jaw or drain to the floor of the mouth, in the area of the cheeks or even to the skin.

In the lower back teeth especially the wisdom tooth area, the infection may spread to the tonsillar area. During the severe stages, it is often referred to as secondary infection.

However, there is something known as the dangerous area of the face.

Any dental infection in the area of your front teeth are potentially dangerous.

Due to special nature of the blood supply to the human nose and surrounding area, it is possible(although very rare) for retrograde infections from the nasal area to spread to the brain.

Rule out dental infections before it spreads via your tooth roots into your circulation resulting in a huge swelling and causing septic risk encroaching into the vital areas.

A dentist treats an abscess or cellulitis by eliminating the infection and draining the pus, which requires oral surgery or root canal treatment.
Often antibiotics are prescribed, but removing the diseased pulp and draining the pus are important.
These infections may spread to various areas of the face and through tissue spaces spread rapidly.

Note: 
1.During pregnancy the risks are to the foetus.
2. In patients with valve defects and septal defects or prosthetic replacements in the heart, the bacteria can cause infective endocarditis.
3.Diabetics are poor in immune response, hence problematic.
4.Immune deficiency like AIDS- Such infections may be fatal.


Causes of Cellulitis from Oral Infection:

1.Decay in the teeth
2.Deep gum infections
3.Decayed Root Stumps
4.Generalised Bone loss with deep pockets.
5.Perapical infections( infections below the roots of the teeth)

The infections that tend to spread are mainly those which do not have a path of drainage.
 Kindly visit your dentist to assist you fight the infection.


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Dr.Sreenita Chowdhury

sreenita28@gmail.com
www.tutdental.com