What not to do with a tooth infection can save your life and stop the pain from getting worse. A tooth infection happens when bacteria get inside your tooth or gums, and your body needs proper treatment to fight it off.
Should I ignore a tooth infection and hope it goes away?
No. A tooth infection will not heal on its own. The bacteria causing the infection will spread to other parts of your mouth, jaw, and body if left untreated. Studies show that untreated dental infections can lead to serious health problems including sepsis, a life-threatening condition where infection spreads through your bloodstream.
Dentists report that patients who wait too long often need more invasive treatments like root canals or tooth extractions. Early treatment costs less and prevents complications. The infection will continue to damage your tooth, bone, and surrounding tissue until you get professional care.
Can I just take painkillers instead of seeing a dentist?
No. Painkillers only mask the symptoms and do nothing to fight the infection. While over-the-counter pain medication can help you feel better temporarily, the bacteria continue to multiply and spread beneath the surface.
Pain relievers like ibuprofen and paracetamol reduce inflammation and block pain signals to your brain, but they cannot kill the bacteria causing your infection. Many people make this mistake and end up in emergency rooms when their infection spreads to dangerous areas.
Will home remedies cure my tooth infection?
No. Home remedies cannot cure a tooth infection. Salt water rinses, clove oil, and garlic may provide temporary relief from pain and swelling, but they do not eliminate the bacteria inside your tooth.
Medical research confirms that tooth infections require antibiotics prescribed by a dentist or doctor to kill the harmful bacteria. Some home remedies can help manage symptoms while you wait for your dental appointment, but they are not replacements for professional treatment.
Should I pop or drain the abscess myself?
No. Never attempt to pop or drain a tooth abscess yourself. This dangerous practice can spread the infection deeper into your tissues and bloodstream.
When you try to drain an abscess at home, you risk:
1. Pushing bacteria into your bloodstream
2. Causing severe bleeding
3. Creating an open wound that allows new bacteria to enter
4. Damaging surrounding healthy tissue
5. Spreading infection to your jaw, neck, or brain
Dentists use sterile equipment and proper techniques to drain abscesses safely. They also prescribe antibiotics to prevent the infection from returning.
Can I stop antibiotics early when I feel better?
No. You must complete the full course of antibiotics even when you feel better. Stopping antibiotics early allows surviving bacteria to multiply and become resistant to treatment.
Antibiotic resistance creates superbugs that do not respond to standard medications. Your infection can return stronger and harder to treat. Dentists prescribe specific antibiotic courses based on the type and severity of your infection, and the full course ensures all bacteria are eliminated.
Research shows that patients who stop antibiotics early have higher rates of recurring infections and complications.
Is it safe to delay treatment if I’m pregnant or have health conditions?
No. Tooth infections pose serious risks during pregnancy and for people with certain health conditions. Pregnant women need prompt treatment because dental infections can affect both mother and baby.
People with diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems face higher risks of complications from tooth infections. The bacteria can spread more quickly in these individuals and cause severe health problems.
Dentists can provide safe treatment options for pregnant women and people with health conditions. They will choose antibiotics and procedures that protect both you and your baby or accommodate your medical needs.
Should I apply heat to reduce swelling?
No. Heat makes tooth infection swelling worse. Warmth increases blood flow to the infected area, which allows bacteria to spread faster through your tissues.
Use cold compresses instead. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the outside of your cheek for 15-20 minutes at a time. Cold reduces inflammation and slows bacterial growth.
Studies show that cold therapy decreases swelling and provides better pain relief for dental infections than heat application.
Can I just get the tooth pulled instead of other treatment?
Sometimes, but extraction should not be your first choice without consulting a dentist. Many infected teeth can be saved with root canal treatment, which preserves your natural tooth and prevents future dental problems.
Pulling a tooth creates gaps in your mouth that cause other teeth to shift out of position. This leads to bite problems, difficulty chewing, and bone loss in your jaw. Replacement options like dental implants or bridges cost between $3,000 and $6,000 AUD per tooth.
Dentists evaluate each infection individually to determine whether the tooth can be saved or needs extraction. They consider factors like the extent of damage, bone loss, and your overall oral health.
Will alcohol or hydrogen peroxide kill the infection?
No. Rinsing with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide does not cure tooth infections. These substances may kill some surface bacteria but cannot reach the infection inside your tooth or deep in your gums.
Strong antiseptics can damage healthy tissue and delay healing. Hydrogen peroxide used too frequently can:
1. Irritate your gums
2. Damage tooth enamel
3. Kill beneficial bacteria in your mouth
4. Cause chemical burns on soft tissue
5. Create temporary white patches on your gums
Dentists recommend gentle salt water rinses to keep the area clean while you wait for treatment.
Should I chew on the infected side to drain it?
No. Chewing on an infected tooth causes more damage and spreads bacteria. The pressure from chewing can push infection deeper into the root and surrounding bone.
Eat soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth until you receive treatment. Foods like yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, and smoothies do not require much chewing and reduce stress on the infected tooth.
Hard or crunchy foods can crack an already weakened tooth and create more entry points for bacteria.
Ready to Take the Next Step for Your Dental Health?
Talk with our team about your concerns and the most appropriate next step.
Can I wait until my scheduled check-up in a few months?
No. Tooth infections are dental emergencies that require immediate care. Waiting months for treatment allows the infection to cause permanent damage to your tooth, bone, and overall health.
Dental infections can spread to:
1. Your jaw bone (osteomyelitis)
2. Your sinuses
3. Your brain (brain abscess)
4. Your heart (endocarditis)
5. Your entire body (sepsis)
These complications can be fatal. Emergency dental clinics treat infections outside regular business hours. Call your dentist right away when you notice signs of infection like severe pain, swelling, fever, or foul taste in your mouth.
Will the infection stop hurting when the tooth dies?
Yes, but the infection continues to spread. When a tooth dies, the nerve inside also dies, which stops the pain signals. Many people mistakenly believe this means the infection has healed.
The bacteria remain active and continue to destroy bone and tissue around the dead tooth. A dead tooth with an infection becomes more dangerous because you lose the warning signal of pain that alerts you to worsening problems.
Dentists see many cases where patients ignored infections after the pain stopped, only to develop serious complications requiring hospitalization.
Should I avoid brushing the infected area?
No. Continue brushing and flossing carefully around the infected tooth. Good oral hygiene prevents additional bacteria from entering the infection site and keeps your mouth clean.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle circular motions. Brush at least twice daily and floss once per day. Rinse with plain warm salt water after meals to remove food particles.
Poor oral hygiene during a tooth infection makes the problem worse and can lead to new infections in other teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I survive with a tooth infection?
Tooth infections can become life-threatening within days to weeks if left untreated. The speed depends on your immune system strength and the infection’s severity. Some people develop sepsis within 48-72 hours of infection spreading beyond the tooth.
What happens if I can’t afford a dentist?
Many dental schools offer low-cost treatment from supervised students. Community health centers provide sliding-scale fees based on income. Some dentists offer payment plans. Emergency rooms can prescribe antibiotics temporarily, but you still need dental treatment to remove the infection source.
How do I know if my tooth infection is spreading?
Warning signs include fever above 38°C, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling in your face or neck, rapid heart rate, confusion, and severe headache. These symptoms require immediate emergency care.
Can antibiotics alone cure a tooth infection?
No. Antibiotics kill bacteria temporarily, but the infection returns without dental treatment to remove the source. Dentists must clean out infected tissue, perform root canals, or extract severely damaged teeth to eliminate the infection permanently.
How much does tooth infection treatment cost?
Root canal treatment costs between $1,000 and $2,500 AUD depending on which tooth needs treatment. Tooth extraction ranges from $200 to $600 AUD. Antibiotics cost $10 to $50 AUD. Prices vary by location and dentist.
Is tooth infection pain worse than childbirth?
Many people rate severe tooth infection pain between 8-10 on a 10-point scale. Pain intensity varies based on infection location and severity. Abscessed teeth create intense throbbing pain that prevents sleep and normal activities.
Can I go to work with a tooth infection?
You can work with mild tooth infections, but you should see a dentist the same day. Take time off if you have fever, severe pain, or facial swelling. These symptoms indicate spreading infection that needs immediate treatment.
Do all tooth infections need root canals?
No. Early infections may respond to deep cleaning and antibiotics. Advanced infections require root canals to save teeth. Severely damaged teeth need extraction. Your dentist determines the best treatment based on X-rays and examination.
How fast do tooth infections spread?
Tooth infections can spread to surrounding tissue within hours to days. Bacteria multiply quickly in the warm, moist environment of your mouth. People with weakened immune systems experience faster spreading.
Can tooth infections cause heart attacks?
Yes. Research links untreated dental infections to increased heart attack and stroke risk. Bacteria from tooth infections enter your bloodstream and can damage heart valves, causing endocarditis. People with existing heart conditions face higher risks.
Ready to Take the Next Step for Your Dental Health?
Talk with our team about your concerns and the most appropriate next step.