Can a child die from a tooth abscess?

March 5, 2007— — A simple toothache can be fatal. That is the sobering message a 12-year-old Maryland boy left when, after his dental problems went untreated, he succumbed to a severe brain infection.

Can a tooth abscess kill you?

An abscessed tooth can cause very serious consequences including tooth loss, jaw bone damage, sinus involvement, brain infection, heart complications and even death.

Can someone die from a toothache?

Most people won’t die from a toothache, but it’s a condition that if left untreated can lead to the worst: a fatal result.

Can cavities cause death?

If it is not treated, in extreme and rare cases tooth decay can cause death. Infection in an upper back tooth can spread to the sinus behind the eye, from which it can enter the brain and cause death. Tooth decay is an infectious process caused by acid-producing bacteria.

Can a toddler get a tooth abscess?

Your child may have a bad taste in his or her mouth and a fever, and your child’s jaw may swell. Damage to the tooth, untreated tooth decay, or gum disease can cause an abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth needs to be treated by a dental professional right away.

How long can a dead tooth stay in your mouth?

Depending on how heavy the damage, the tooth could die within a matter of days or even a couple of months. Darkened or discolored teeth are often the first sign that your tooth is on its way out. Teeth that are healthy should be a shade of white.

What kills tooth infection?

Your dentist will want to choose an antibiotic that can effectively eliminate your infection. Antibiotics of the penicillin class, such as penicillin and amoxicillin, are most commonly used to help treat tooth infections. An antibiotic called metronidazole may be given for some types of bacterial infections.

How likely is it to die from a tooth infection?

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Endodontics looked at 61,000 hospitalizations for abscesses between 2000 and 2008, and found that 66 of those patients – or roughly one in 1,000 – died from the infection.

What happens if antibiotics don’t work for tooth infection?

If the tooth isn’t treated, it can cause the bacteria to enter the roots. The bacteria will then feed on your nerve tissues and blood vessels. This allows them to spread and multiply, wreaking havoc in your mouth.

Is it possible to die from a toothache?

In 15th and 16th centuries, toothache was often ranked as the fifth or sixth leading cause of death in the world. However, with the progress in medical science and advanced methods of treatment, it is highly unlikely someone dies from a toothache in our time.

How did the boy die from a toothache?

However, the Driver family faced obstacles with Medicaid, poverty, and access to resources, resulting in an easily preventable health problem turning deadly. In the end, Driver endured two surgeries and weeks of hospital care totaling about $250,000 in medical bills. Sadly, it was too late to save the boy, and he passed away on Feb. 25.

What causes a toothache and what to do about it?

A toothache can be caused by anything from a popcorn hull stuck in your gum to a broken tooth or a bacterial infection. Some toothaches may come from temporary gum irritation. But serious toothaches need treatment by a dental professional to resolve the pain and whatever problem is causing it. Appointments 216.444.8500

How did the man die from a tooth abscess?

Doctors tried to treat him with stronger antibiotics and dialysis, but the infection had already spread to his bloodstream and lungs. He later died. (To help support Kondratyuk’s family, you can visit their GoFundMe page .) A tooth abscess is a bacterial infection that occurs when infected material builds up in the center of your tooth.