A toothache may not sound that bad to you, all things considered. It’s just a slight pain in your mouth that won’t affect you much, right? However, ignoring a toothache can be fatal in some cases. You should have it diagnosed and treated promptly; otherwise, you may end up in the ER. Keep reading to learn about toothaches, tooth infections, and how dentistry can help.
At Smile312, our Chicago dental team is dedicated to providing exceptional care for every smile. From routine checkups to advanced treatments, we combine expertise, compassion, and modern technology to keep your teeth healthy and your experience stress-free. Discover dentistry that puts your comfort and wellness first.
For starters, remember that toothaches don’t come out of nowhere. They often stem from an underlying infection of one (or more) of your teeth. In other cases, they could be the result of physical damage, bruxism, or even gum disease.
A tooth infection (per its name) occurs when harmful bacteria reach your tooth’s pulp. At that time, the microbes can irritate your dental nerves enough to send pain signals to your brain. The resulting ache is often severe and won’t stop until you receive treatment or the tooth “dies.”
If left unchecked, a tooth infection won’t just harm your mouth. It’ll have an impact on the rest of your body and cause deadly problems like:
A tooth infection will sometimes trigger meningitis, a harsh swelling of the brain and spinal cord that’s quite life-threatening. Based on current research, it has a death rate as high as 70% of its cases.
The bacteria from a tooth infection can eventually reach your lungs. In that scenario, each lung would become an ideal breeding ground for the harmful microbes. The resulting multiplication would then result in a high risk of deadly respiratory issues.
In extreme cases, a body can release large amounts of chemicals to fight a tooth infection. This process of “sepsis” causes a chain reaction that leads to widespread inflammation. After enough time, it ends with deadly organ failure.
Thankfully, emergency dentists can treat the infections that often cause toothaches. Their most typical go-to methods include:
While ignoring a toothache can be fatal, quickly treating it can be life-saving! So, see your dentist for a proper diagnosis and procedure soon!
Smile 312 is based in Chicago, IL. Led by the esteemed Dr. Harvey J. Mahler, our practice has been helping local grins for nearly forty years. We’ve always offered preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments tailored to each patient’s needs, and we continue to do so today. That means our team can give your family the smiles of their dreams! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (312)-224-9916.
Our patients’ satisfaction is our top priority. From routine checkups to advanced dental care, we make sure every smile leaves our office healthier and happier.
Experience is always top tier! Staff and doctor very friendly
Just had my first visit to Smile 312 in the Loop—spotless office, friendly staff, and they’ve got Netflix to keep you entertained. Went in for a cleaning and check-up; dropped about $150 after insurance, which felt fair. They broke down the costs and insurance stuff clearly. Scheduling was easy, and... read more
I had a wonderful experience at the dentist office today. Dr. Mahler is an excellent dentist. He takes his time and explains to you was he's doing while he performs his job. His staff is very professional and kind.
Our entire family have had an excellent experience with Dr. Mahler and his staff over the past 20 years. The office staff is always polite and efficient. Appointments have been easy to schedule, and we have rarely waited even a few minutes to be seen once in the office. Dr. Mahler... read more
Dr Mahler is very knowledgeable and thoughtful. He will do what’s best for his patient and walk you through the process so you are fully informed. His staff is also very helpful and customer centric. Great practice!
The staff is very friendly and helpful. The care I receive is exceptional and the interest regarding my overall health is comforting and reassuring that I am being listened to not just regarding my dental health.
Always superb.
Dr. Mahler has been my dentist for over 20 years. He is very proactive at planning the next step of treatment. He managed a complex dental implant and bridge situation for me. He also has put plans in place for my daughters and we have been able to avoid orthodontics.
312 Smile is the best, they are definitely 5 star, they always take good care of their patients dental needs. 😊
Excellent service. I felt very comfortable.
