Can tooth decay cause a fever?

Toothache is an unpleasant symptom, which in most cases indicates the development of a pathological process. Sometimes it can be accompanied by fever, and then the question arises: does fever occur with dental caries. We will answer this question in the article.

Mechanism of caries development

Caries, according to experts, is the most common disease in the world, occurring in more than 90% of the world's population. Despite this, many people have only a superficial knowledge of tooth decay. Therefore, questions often arise about possible symptoms of the disease, in particular, whether the temperature can rise with caries. To understand, let’s first consider what the carious process is. Essentially, this is the slow destruction of a tooth under the influence of various factors, the main ones of which are oral bacteria and carbohydrate foods.

Microbes with cariogenic effects feed on sugars and convert them into acids, which cause destruction of dental tissue. If a person does not remove plaque (colonies of bacteria on teeth) well and at the same time eats a lot of carbohydrates, he creates favorable conditions for the development of caries.

This pathological process in most cases develops gradually. Acids first attack the enamel, then penetrate the dentin, damaging the dental tissues deeper and deeper. If caries is not cured in time and the deep spread of pathology is not stopped, sooner or later caries will develop into pulpitis or periodontitis. These are severe conditions in which the tissues of the pulp (neurovascular bundle) and periodontal tissue (they surround the tooth) become inflamed.

Alveolitis sockets

Even after the tooth itself has been removed, problems may arise. But this is normal, the pain may last for two more days after removal. If the operation was complex, the pain will last a week, gradually fading away. When the temperature rises, this indicates that the tooth socket is inflamed due to infection, alveolitis.

The blood clot may break if the rules of conduct during recovery prescribed by the doctor are not followed. Although compliance with all the rules does not guarantee preservation from complications. The latter can occur, for example, in the case of a patient’s reduced immunity or medical errors.

Symptoms of alveolitis: temperature rises to 39; intense pain where the tooth was removed; gray plaque at the site of the hole; putrid odor from the mouth; swelling on the face; lymph nodes are enlarged.

What are the symptoms of caries?

Symptoms of caries directly depend on its stage, that is, on how deep the damage is.

Spot stage.

The earliest stage of caries development is practically asymptomatic. Nothing bothers the person, there is no hole in the tooth, but the process of demineralization of the enamel has already begun. This is indicated by a small white spot. Of course, at the early stage of caries the temperature does not rise.

Superficial caries.

This is the stage when a hole appears in the tooth, but it is still concentrated in the enamel area and has not spread to the dentin. The doctor can easily detect a defect in the tooth surface during a visual examination. At this stage, pain may occur in response to irritants (hot or cold, sweet or salty food), and the sensitivity of tooth enamel may increase. Body temperature is normal.

Average caries.

It is characterized by periodic pain and a carious cavity, which is easy to feel even with the tongue. As in earlier stages, with average caries the temperature does not rise.

Deep caries.

This is the latest stage of the carious process. The bottom of the carious cavity is located in close proximity to the pulp, the sensitive part of the tooth. Therefore, a person feels acute pain and discomfort while eating. Pain also occurs during a dental examination using a probe. Although deep caries is the most advanced form of the disease, even this stage is not characterized by an increase in temperature.

Thus, with ordinary caries the temperature should not rise. However, complications of an advanced carious process can lead to such a symptom.

Features of the procedure

Tooth extraction is not performed without indications. We perform treatment either planned or emergency. In both cases, a preliminary diagnosis is carried out.

The reason for the procedure may be:

periodontitis or periodontitis;
root canal trauma;
planned orthopedic treatment;
complex tooth crown injury;
developmental anomalies;
neoplasms in the tooth area.

Extraction can be carried out in a simple way, when the crown is simply separated from the gum tissue and the entire tooth is removed, or in a complex way, in which the dentist dissects the gum or periosteum.

The danger of fever due to toothache

Thus, if toothache and other dental symptoms are accompanied by an increase in temperature, in most cases these are indicators of pulpitis or periodontitis. Without treatment, these diseases can be dangerous because the infection will spread to other organs. Therefore, if an adult or a child’s body temperature rises during toothache, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Otitis media

Fever along with toothache may be due to a disease not related to teeth - otitis media . This is an inflammation in the tympanic cavity; it can be caused by an infectious disease, such as a cold or sore throat.

With otitis media, ear pain appears, hearing decreases, and the temperature rises. It happens that pain from otitis media migrates to the area of both jaws. Therefore, otitis media is perceived by many as just a toothache.

If you experience the problems described above, you should immediately consult a dentist, understand the cause and begin the right treatment!

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Why does the temperature rise after caries treatment?

Sometimes a slight increase in temperature is observed after treatment of the carious process. Most often this happens in the following cases:

After a complex invasive procedure, such as root canal cleaning. This is how the body reacts to interference.
In case of infection (after therapy for purulent periodontitis with a cyst or granuloma). An infectious process can occur due to unprofessional treatment, as well as if the patient does not follow the dentist’s recommendations after the procedure.

Severe stress. It's no secret that even some adults are afraid to have their teeth treated, and a natural reaction to stress can be an increase in body temperature.
Sometimes an elevated temperature is nothing more than a symptom of an incipient ARVI, which simply coincided with a visit to the dentist.

If you have a fever after treatment for caries or another dental problem, you should pay attention to your general condition. If you feel normal, if the thermometer does not show above 38°, you can wait a couple of days until the temperature returns to normal. If this does not happen on the third day, you should consult a doctor.

You cannot postpone a visit to the dentist if the temperature is very high (38.5-40 degrees), there is general weakness, headache, inflammation of the lymph nodes, severe pain in the area of the treated tooth, redness and swelling of the gums. Such symptoms may indicate a progressive inflammatory process.

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Sources:

The role of anti-inflammatory rinse in the treatment of periodontal diseases (L.Yu. Orekhova, A.A. Leontyev, S.B. Ulitovsky) L.Yu. OREKHOVA, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof., Head of Department; A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist; S.B. ULITOVSKY, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry of St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I. P. Pavlova
Report on clinical trials of anti-inflammatory balm for gums "Asepta" adhesive, St. Petersburg State Medical University, 2007
Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of commercially produced personal oral hygiene products: Asepta toothpaste used in combination with Asepta mouthwash and Asepta gum balm Head. Department of PFS Doctor of Medical Sciences Professor S.B. Ulitovsky St. Petersburg State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlova. Faculty of Dentistry. Department of Preventive Dentistry.

Methods for reducing temperature

To reduce fever in young children, you can only use drugs based on paracetomol or ibuprofen in the form of syrups and suppositories. Tablets are not given to children under 3 years of age, as it is difficult to correctly calculate the dosage of the medicine.

When the temperature is high, the child needs to be given water often. Warm water, fruit drinks and compotes without sugar, and children's tea with rose hips are suitable. If the child is breastfeeding, continue breastfeeding as required and supplement between feedings.

The room of a sick child must be regularly ventilated and the air humidity in it must be at least 40%. To do this, you can use humidifiers or at least hang wet towels. The room temperature should not be higher than 18-20 ℃.

Thus:

Temperature during teething in babies of the first year of life, one year and older is normal if other reasons for its increase are excluded.
During teething, the temperature lasts an average of 1-3 days.
Temperatures above 38.5 ℃ should be alarming, since during teething it increases by only half a degree.
Temperatures above 38.5 ℃ should be brought down. If the child is capricious and does not feel well, then an antipyretic can be given at a lower temperature.
The temperature of young children is brought down with paracetamol and ibuprofen in the form of syrups and suppositories. The room where the child is located must be regularly ventilated, wet cleaned, and ensure normal humidity and temperature. A sick child should be provided with rest and plenty of warm drinks.

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