Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to Heart Q&A

A tooth infection may cause serious health problems and may affect your heart. Don’t ignore a tooth infection, get dental treatment right away! Contact our team of dental professionals today at Ideal Endodontics or visit us online to book an appointment. We have convenient locations to serve you in Washington DC and Woodbridge VA.

Table of Contents:

Can a tooth infection affect your heart?
How do I know if a tooth infection has spread to my heart?
Can a tooth infection cause heart pain?
Which tooth is connected to the heart?

Can a tooth infection affect your heart?

The teeth are important to our overall health, not just because they allow us to properly chew and break down food that our bodies need, but also because infections and diseases that affect the teeth and gums can cause serious issues in other parts of the body. While it may seem impossible, inflammation and bacteria that are found in the mouth have been linked to other conditions such as dementia, heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The exact reason why this happens isn’t quite clear but it is believed that the bacteria in the mouth can work their way into the bloodstream, affecting the major organs in the body. Proper at-home care of the teeth, including daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular appointments with a licensed dentist, will ensure that plaque buildup is kept to a minimum in order to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, as well as other issues that affect the teeth, gums, and mouth. Studies have shown that people who have gum disease are also likely to have poor heart health, which increases the risk of heart attacks.

How do I know if a tooth infection has spread to my heart?

A toothache may seem like a minor inconvenience causing discomfort and pain when pressure is put on it, cold or hot touches it, or as an ongoing ache. However, if the toothache is a symptom of a tooth infection and it is left untreated, it can lead to serious medical conditions as the infection spreads to other parts of the body. Toothache symptoms that can indicate an infection are throbbing tooth pain, throbbing pain on the same side as the toothache but in the ear, jawbone, or neck, sensitivity to pressure, hot or cold, cheek swelling, fever, unpleasant taste in the mouth, and bad breath. When the infection goes undiagnosed and untreated, the consequences can be potentially life-threatening.

The list of symptoms of an infection spread is quite significant and can include headache, dizziness, fatigue, sweating, chills, swelling of the face, dehydration, increase in heart rate and breathing rate, vomiting, and diarrhea. If any of these symptoms appear with a toothache, then seek medical attention right away.

Can a tooth infection cause heart pain?

An untreated tooth infection may actually spread to other parts of your body, causing additional symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting dizziness, headache, fever, and dehydration. It can also cause an increase in heart rate and breathing rate, both concerning symptoms that could indicate the infection has made its way to the heart and lungs. Whether or not a person experiences physical pain in their heart will be different from one person to the next, but chest pain can also be experienced which can be an indication of an issue with the heart.

Anyone with a toothache who is experiencing new symptoms that seem to be related to the toothache needs to seek out emergency medical attention. An undiagnosed and untreated tooth infection can lead to a wide range of medical issues, including life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks and heart disease.

Which tooth is connected to the heart?

There is no single tooth that is connected to the heart to create a direct line from the mouth to the heart. Rather, all of the teeth in the mouth are connected to the rest of the body through the gums and the body’s bloodstream. An untreated tooth infection can lead to gum disease, which increases the likelihood of a person experiencing heart conditions such as heart disease and heart attacks. It is important to take proper care of all of the teeth in the mouth, which includes a daily routine of brushing and flossing, as well as regular trips to the dentist. Dentists are trained in the care of teeth, as well as preventative care techniques to spot and diagnose early signs of tooth infections and gum disease. If you are experiencing a toothache, no matter how mild or severe, it is important to get it checked out to avoid further complications. The team at Ideal Endodontics can perform a thorough exam to find the source of the toothache to get it treated so you can avoid further pain and future complications. We serve patients from Washington DC, Woodbridge VA, Arlington VA, Lorton VA, Manassas VA, Springfield VA, Alexandria VA, and Silver Spring MD.