What happens if you leave a cavity untreated for too long?

A Bad Cavity Can Bring Further Decay If you ignore a cavity, it will continue to grow in size. One bad cavity could lead to a second cavity before long. Decay of the tooth will widen and deepen; this will make you more prone to brittle teeth leaving them to the possibility of cracking and breaking.

Can a cavity be life threatening?

Bacteria from untreated dental caries can infect other areas of the body causing cellulitis and sinus conditions that are life threatening. Occasionally, very resilient bacteria enter the facial tissue near the mouth causing intense swelling of the upper neck and lower jaw.

Can untreated cavities cause health problems?

Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to serious health problems, including brain or heart infections. A growing number of older adults have something to smile about: research shows they’re keeping their teeth longer.

Do cavities spread to other teeth?

Cavities can’t spread to other teeth, but they certainly have an impact on the rest of your mouth. First of all, the conditions that create a cavity on one tooth certainly can develop into cavities on your other teeth.

Can cavities spread to your brain?

A dental abscess can also travel to the brain, leading to the development of another abscess. If the infection reaches your brain, it can be life-threatening. Since a brain abscess is so dangerous, the condition requires a visit to the hospital or emergency room for urgent treatment.

What happens if a cavity is left untreated?

Untreated cavities can lead to abscess (a severe infection) under the gums which can spread to other parts of the body and have serious, and in rare cases fatal, results. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital signs: dental sealant use and untreated tooth decay among US school-aged children. MMWR. 2016;65 (41):1141-1145.

What are the dangers of tooth decay?

Hidden dental dangers that may threaten your whole body January 01, 2020 Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to serious health problems, including brain or heart infections. A growing number of older adults have something to smile about: research shows they’re keeping their teeth longer.

What happens if an untreated tooth abscess goes untreated?

An untreated tooth abscess can cause more than just oral health problems; they can impact the rest of the body as well! Today, let’s take a look at the different complications associated with these types of infections:

Are your dental problems life-threatening?

While that makes chewing and talking easier and staves off malnutrition and the discomfort of dentures or missing teeth, it also means you need to be more vigilant than ever about preventing dental problems — including some that can have life-threatening complications. One in five adults ages 65 or older has untreated tooth decay (a cavity).