Is the problem of focal infection still a possible problem with dental root canal treatment?

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Dental Focal Infection has been shown in the past to cause serious health problems such as certain cancers and arthritis later in life (all stemming from bacteria trapped in the base of the treated tooth).
The idea of focal infection was a concern years ago, but extensive scientific research has proved this theory to be false.

Unfortunately there are still some "biologic" dentists who espouse this theory and will extract perfectly healthy teeth and provide other unecessary treatment to unsuspecting individuals. These "biologic" or "holistic" dentists can throw around fancy scientific terms so it is very easy to be confused by them.

You can rest assured that root canal treatment in the 21st century is safe and effective.  (+ info)

How come when when you have a dental infection, your white blood count doesn't rise?

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I was told by a dental specialist that I had a wisdom tooth infection for at least six months to a year. I had swollen lymph nodes with no fever, but drop dead fatigue.

Why wouldn't your white blood count rise when you have a long low-grade dental infection? Or at least get a fever?
My temperature never went above 97.5 the whole time and the pus that came out of the tooth was absolutely gross. It smelled like death.
In short, your body was doing what it was supposed to do...your lymph nodes were swollen so that means your immune system had kicked in and was taking care of the situation the best it could. Lymph nodes are a filter, if you want to imagine it that way, and when blood is run through that filter, if it has alot of bad bacteria in it, the lymph nodes basically stop it there before it gets to other parts of the body. That is a very, very basic way of explaining the lymph system, but it gets my point across. So when you can feel a swollen node anywhere in your body (you have many of them), you know your body is fighting an infection in that area. White Blood Cell counts (WBC) can increase during an infection, but usually only during the initial phase of it, after awhile the counts will go back down if it's a prolonged infection, usually to the high end of the normal range because the body can't/won't maintain that fight long term, it hands the problem over to the lymph nodes if it can handle it ok. When the lab does a WBC, there is a normal range of 5,000 to 11,000...you can have a count of 10,999 and it will still count as "normal" but that would indicate that your body is fighting something. The action of your body increasing it's temperature (a fever) is another method to fight an "invader", many bacteria can only live at an optimal temperature range and a higher temp. can kill them. You may have had a fever at the beginning of the infection and not realized it (most people don't take their temps every day, so it's not reasonable to say it never went over 97.5 the whole time). Your body won't maintain a fever for a long time, if that's not working to suppress or kill the bacteria, it has other methods, such as the lymph nodes. The symptom of fatigue is common, it may or may not be related to this particular infection. Hard to say. It seems like your immune system is sound and doing it's job, that's a good thing. And I'm glad you got rid of that infected tooth. The lymph nodes should go back to normal size now. Hope this answered your questions.  (+ info)

Can a severe dental infection cause severe anxiety?

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For the past like 4 months, I have been batteling with severe panic attacks and general anxiety. I had anxiety issues about 8 years ago, but they seemed to go away. When they came back, I just figured it was my anxiety issues flaring up, so I went to the doctor and got put back on meds.

Well, I recently got a tooth pulled that was SEVERELY infected, and abcessed. Since then, my anxiety seems to be gone. Has anyone ever heard of a dental infection causing anxiety???

Strange, huh?

Thanks to all who answer!
It can lead to nervous disorders as the nerves are affected, so yes in a round about way--increase heart rate, anxiety, massive infection and even immune system problems! These infections can breach the blood/brain barrier too! Be thankful, I know people who cannot afford to get their teeth fixed!!  (+ info)

When can a dental infection kill you?

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I had a big filling in an upper molar about 3 months ago. The gum area and side of the tooth feel mildly sore and sensitive to cold (but not hot) and I get this aching in the right side of my cheek bone, head and in my ear. Is this the kind of infection that can kill people? Does it take an abscess to cause a serious systemic problem, will dental xrays always tell you if you have something potentially serious?
A large filling may have sensitivity for a while depending on the depth of the filling. If there is an abcess on that tooth, it can be seen on a dental xray and usually above the tooth on the gums. If you are concerned, visit your dentist and let them take a look.  (+ info)

How come my doctor asked if I had recently had dental work done because of infection?

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I have an infection in my breast following breast augmentation surgery. My doc asked if I have had any procedures such as dental, etc... ( I haven't ) What does that have to do with the infection?
often times, when going to the dentist, when cleaing your teeth they will puncture your gums, a little bleeding no big deal, right? but those cuts allow bacteria into the bloodstream. for most people, this is no problem, however if you have a heart valve problem or a heart murmur or even recent surgery, your body is already vulnerable and cannot fight off bacteria that a normal immune system could
hope your infection clears up!  (+ info)

Does dental implant easy to get infection ?

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I want to get implant but not sure if it's safe. Does it need more frequent visit to dentist office? Does it cause infection because its not a nature teeth?
Research has shown that dental implants are quite safe. It is possible to get an infection, similar to gum disease, around them if they aren't kept clean, but implants are probably less likely to become infected than a tooth. They are made of titanium, which is very compatible with your body. Other than the visits required to place the implant and the crown on top of it, once the implant is in place, you don't need to see the dentist any more frequently.  (+ info)

How long will it take for my face to go back to normal after swelling when i stop my dental infection?

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im getting the infection in my mouth to go away..how long till my cheeks and face go back to normal?
You need to take the antibiotics for the prescribed time and the swelling will go down in due course when they have kicked in and are working.
But the the antibiotics are not a long term solution and you will still need to see a Dentist to get the offending tooth dealt with.
Try not to leave it as the infection can re appear and cause other issues like cysts and bone loss.  (+ info)

How can you tell if its a dental abscess vs. sinus infection??

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I do have a doctors appt for Friday to have it checked, but are there different symptoms between the two. I do believe my sinuses have been acting up during this winter but not my left cheek bone just feels like it is in major pain.

Also if it is an abscess can that be treated with antibiotics or is this a dental problem?
Symptoms of an abscessed tooth include:

Throbbing pain, especially when you chew or you touch your tooth.
Red, swollen gums.
A bad taste in your mouth.
Fever.
Swelling in any area of the mouth, face, upper or lower jaw, or neck.
Creamy or yellow pus or blood oozing from a red, swollen, pimplelike area in your mouth.
Your tooth turning pink or gray.
A feeling that the tooth is being raised out of its socket, and you cannot close your teeth together properly.
As the infection spreads, you may feel less pain. This is because the bone in your jaw has begun to dissolve and the nerve to the tooth may be dying. If too much bone dissolves, your tooth will become loose and may have to be removed.

Call your dentist immediately if you have a severe toothache that has not improved after an hour or two of home treatment. You may have an abscessed tooth, and the infection may be spreading.

Call your dentist to make an appointment as soon as possible if you have:

A mild to moderate toothache.
A toothache with a fever of 100° (38°) or higher.
Swelling in the mouth, jaw, or face that is new or getting bigger.
A tooth that is very sensitive or painful when pressure is applied to it (such as when you chew).

Symptoms of Sinus infection or acute sinusitis:
Pain and pressure in the face along with a stuffy or runny nose are the main symptoms of sinusitis. You also may have a yellow or greenish discharge from your nose. Leaning forward or moving your head often increases facial pain and pressure. The location of pain and tenderness may depend on which sinus is affected.

Pain over the cheeks and upper teeth is often caused by maxillary sinus inflammation.
Pain in the forehead, above the eyebrow, may be caused by frontal sinus inflammation.
Pain behind the eyes, on top of the head, or in both temples may be caused by sphenoid sinus inflammation.
Pain around or behind the eyes is caused by ethmoid sinus inflammation.
See an illustration of the location of normal facial sinuses.
Other common symptoms of sinusitis include:

Headache.
Yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat.
Bad breath.
Stuffy nose.
Cough that produces mucus.
Fever.
Tooth pain.
Reduced sense of taste or smell

Other conditions that have symptoms similar to sinusitis may include allergies, toothaches, and colds or other upper respiratory infections. However, if you've had a cold that returns or gets worse after 7 days (called double sickening), you probably have a sinus infection rather than a cold or other upper respiratory infection.

You probably have a sinus infection or acute sinusitis. if the facial pain is located on left cheek.  (+ info)

Can dental infection lead to swollen upper lip?

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My left upper lip..(not the lip..but the skin above the lip and under the nose) is swollen. The area is slightly red and looks like a raised bump and burns a lot. A week later the gum near the upper tooth (same area) started to hurt and swell and was told that I have a dental infection. Could the 2 be related (raised bump and gum infection)
Yes, certainly  (+ info)

Can I get an infection in my jaw after receiving novacaine in my jaw during a dental procedure?

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I had a crown placed on a tooth and I had to be given three needles of novacaine in order to numb my tooth. Ever since then I have been experiencing pain my jaw, and lately it has become excrutiating at times. Thinking it is TMJ disorder, but it might have something to do with the needle insertion......??
there is a possibility of infection at the needle site. it may have gotten bacteria under the skin. they may have just put the needle in a bit too far and irritated the muscles. It if has been more that 2 days, I would call the dentist to let them know you are still experiencing pain.  (+ info)

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