Infection of the Tooth Roots

The supposed purpose of a root canal is to "cure the infection" and "save the tooth."

What is a Tooth Infection?

A tooth infection is also known as a tooth or root abscess.

Tooth With Infected Pulp

There are two types of tooth infections.

One type is a periapical abscess, it happens from within the tooth pulp. This is shown in the picture.

The other type, a periodontal abscess, it happens from the surrounding tissues and bones.

You can help get a better gage on understanding if you have a tooth infection, by observing the pain and inflammation response in your body.

What Causes a Tooth Infection?

People will argue that bacteria is what causes a tooth infection, but in most cases, I do not believe that to be true.

An infection of the pulp within the tooth can only happen when foreign substances, find their way into the tooth.

These foreign substances can come from within the body, such as in the case of dead pulp tissue.

Otherwise, untreated tooth decay, or cracked teeth will be a gateway from which an infection can occur in the tooth because foreign substances, such food in your mouth, can directly enter the once protected tooth pulp tissues.

What Happens to An Infected Tooth?

Somehow, through tooth decay, tooth cracks, or from dead tissue, the interior of the tooth has an unclean substance within it.

The body responds to this unclean substance by trying to remove the substance. Pus is a thin protein-rich fluid that the body uses to trap and contain foreign substances.

The body also uses the tool of inflammation, to contain and dissolve or remove foreign elements in the body.

If you have had an infection from a cut, this is the same thing that can happen in your tooth. So, sometimes special care is needed, and sometimes it can heal on its own.

Symptoms of a Tooth Infection

• Toothache
  • Severe, continuous pain
  • Gnawing or throbbing pain
  • Sharp or shooting pain
• Pain when chewing
• Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold
• Bitter taste in the mouth
• Breath odor 
• Possible fever
• Swollen glands of the neck
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
• Swollen area of the upper or lower jaw -- a very serious symptom

Herbal Remedies For Tooth Infection

Dietary Remedies For Tooth Infection

Learn how to keep your teeth strong so they won't get infected.