Dental Sepsis
Recently in the news we learned of the passing of former NFL wide receiver, Mike Williams. Following an accident at a construction site that left him partially paralyzed and, on a ventilator, he died from a rare bacterial sepsis.
The medical examiner’s office said in its report that Williams’ cause of death was from “bacterial sepsis with cerebral abscesses and necrotizing lobar pneumonia due to multiple dental caries and retained dental roots”.
Sepsis and Dental Infections
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
Dental sepsis can occur when a dental infection spreads to the bloodstream.
Some possible causes of dental sepsis are:
- Tooth decay or a broken tooth that infects the pulp (inner part of the tooth) and forms an abscess (pocket of pus) in the bone or tissue below.
- Bacteria entering the body through the gumline or any breaks in the gum, cheeks or palate.
One of the first signs of a tooth infection is a sore or throbbing tooth. If left untreated, you may notice swelling, difficulty chewing, radiating pain, and a possible fever. If you suspect you have a dental infection, seek treatment as soon as possible.
The following symptoms could indicate that a tooth infection has spread to another part of the body:
- Painful tongue or mouth
- Swelling of the face, neck, and cheeks
- Itching or burning sensation on the skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Double vision or loss of vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion
A person should see their dentist at the first sign of a tooth infection. Early treatment will help prevent the infection from spreading into other tissues.
A tooth infection that has spread is a medical emergency. Do not wait to contact your dentist or visit the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Your dentist or doctor will provide treatments to target the infection and stop it from spreading further.
What is Sepsis? | Sepsis | CDC
Serious Tooth Infections | Colgate®
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