Dental infections can cause extreme pain, bad breath and even death. While a dentist will be the expert on treating infections, it will be good to know what causes this to know what can be done to treat them.

Gum disease, if left unattended, can cause dental infections. These can lead to toothaches, swelling and sores in the gums. Bleeding, halitosis and your tooth falling off can also be caused by these. In serious cases, the infection can reach your brain and cause death. This is normally cured with intense cleaning, surgery and the removal of teeth that are too far gone to be saved.

Cavities can also lead to dental infection. Untreated tooth decay can spread to the nerves and bring crippling pain and swelling of the face and gums. This infection can also spread to the brain and end up killing you. This is normally treated with antibiotics and removal of affected teeth.

A strong blow to the jaw or the mouth can also shock a nerve and cause dental infection. If a tooth gets broken, the tooth underneath could suffer extreme trauma.

The nerve could die from the trauma and rot inside the tooth. Excessive sensitivity and discoloration can be warning signs.

If these symptoms present themselves, don’t panic. See a dentist immediately and schedule yourself for treatment. You could save your tooth, and even your life.