Dental Forum

When it comes to TOOTH infections, you can bet the NERVE is involved. The NERVE is in the geometric center of the tooth, and feeds out through the end of the root. Because of this pathway, when the nerve dies or gets infected, it provides a nice route for the bacteria to infect the surrounding structures.

Once the bacteria get out of the tooth, they eat away the bone supporting both that tooth and any adjacent teeth. Eventually this can cause the loss of one or more teeth, but it may also cause SWELLING into the surrounding structures or spaces.

This SWELLING is what can become VERY SERIOUS. Dental infections can cause extensive swelling which may swell EYES SHUT, or even worse, may proceed under the jaw/mandible, which can in turn prevent SWALLOWING or CLOSE OFF a person’s AIRWAY!!!

thanks