A tooth infection can potentially be fatal if left untreated, but death from a tooth infection is now extremely rare due to advances in medicine and dental care
. The timeline from initial infection to death varies widely depending on the severity and spread of the infection. How a tooth infection progresses:
- It usually starts with tooth decay that progresses over several months, eventually reaching the pulp inside the tooth and causing an abscess
- Trauma or injury to a tooth can accelerate this process by allowing bacteria to enter the pulp more quickly
- Once an abscess forms, symptoms like swelling and severe, throbbing pain typically develop. This is a warning sign that urgent care is needed
How long until it becomes life-threatening:
- If untreated, the infection can spread beyond the tooth to surrounding tissues such as the jaw, neck, and even the brain over weeks or months
- Serious complications include sepsis, Ludwig’s angina (a dangerous infection under the tongue), necrotizing fasciitis, brain abscess, and mediastinitis
- Once the infection spreads systemically, death can occur rapidly, sometimes within days
Mortality and risk factors:
- Historically, before antibiotics, 10–40% of tooth infections led to death
- Today, the mortality rate for severe dental abscesses can still be as high as 40% if the infection spreads extensively and causes sepsis or mediastinitis
- Most deaths occur in patients with underlying conditions like diabetes and those who delay seeking treatment
- Approximately 5 to 10 deaths per year occur in the US due to tooth infections, with some cases worsening due to delayed or inadequate treatment
Summary:
- A tooth infection can take several months to develop into a serious abscess.
- Without treatment, it can spread and become life-threatening over weeks to months.
- Once systemic infection occurs, death can happen within days.
- Prompt dental care is critical to prevent fatal outcomes.
In essence, while a tooth infection can kill you, this usually happens only if the infection is ignored for weeks or months and allowed to spread systemically. Immediate dental treatment and antibiotics greatly reduce this risk
