Tooth infections, also known as dental abscesses, are a common oral health problem that can cause severe pain and lead to serious complications if left untreated. A tooth infection occurs when bacteria invade the pulp of the tooth, often through a crack or cavity. This bacteria spreads inside the tooth and root, forming a pocket of pus called an abscess.
Many people try home remedies like baking soda to treat tooth infections, hoping to avoid dental procedures or antibiotics. But is baking soda an effective and safe way to treat a tooth abscess? Read on to learn more about how baking soda works and whether it’s recommended for tooth infections.
What Causes a Tooth Infection?
There are several ways bacteria can enter the tooth and cause an infection:
- Untreated cavities – Decay eating through enamel allows bacteria to infect tooth pulp
- Cracked or fractured teeth – Cracks allow bacteria to seep inside the tooth
- Injuries – Trauma can expose pulp tissue
- Leaky fillings – Bacteria enter through gaps between filling and tooth
- Gum disease – Infection spreads from weakened gums into tooth roots
Once inside the tooth’s pulp chamber, the bacteria multiply rapidly. The pulp tissue becomes inflamed and infected. The infection continues spreading through the root canal system. Pus builds up inside the tooth, forming an abscess.
Signs and Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of a tooth infection include:
- Throbbing toothache that is severe and constant
- Pain that worsens with pressure or touch
- Swollen gums around the affected tooth
- Foul odor or bad taste coming from the tooth
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Dark discoloration of the tooth
- Visible pimples or abscess on the gums
- Facial swelling around the tooth, jaw, or cheeks
- Lymph node swelling under the jaw or in the neck
- Fever, chills, and generally feeling unwell
If the infection spreads it can also cause fatigue, earache, and headache. Seek emergency dental care if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Potential Complications
Without proper treatment, a tooth infection can lead to serious complications such as:
- Spreading infection – The infection can continue spreading to the jaw, sinus cavities, neck, and even bloodstream.
- Abscess rupture – Pus may drain into the mouth or burst through the skin of the face, requiring emergency care.
- Bone loss – Infection can destroy the bones supporting the teeth and cause tooth loss.
- Sepsis – A life-threatening whole-body infection can develop if bacteria enter the bloodstream.
- Brain abscess – In rare cases, infection can spread to the brain from upper teeth.
It’s crucial to treat a tooth infection quickly before these serious complications develop.
When to See a Dentist
If you suspect you have a tooth infection, it’s important to get dental treatment right away. Call your dentist for an emergency appointment if you experience throbbing pain, swelling, fever, or other symptoms of infection. The longer treatment is delayed, the more damage can occur.
See a dentist immediately if you have any of the following signs:
- Severe constant toothache keeping you up at night
- Swelling in your face, jaw, or neck
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Fever higher than 100°F (37.7°C)
- Fatigue, illness, and generally feeling unwell
These symptoms may indicate a spreading infection that needs urgent dental care and antibiotics.
Treatment Options
Treatment will depend on the severity of infection and how far it has spread. Options may include:
- Root canal – The infected pulp is removed and inside of tooth cleaned and sealed. This can save a tooth with deep infection.
- Tooth extraction – If the tooth cannot be saved, your dentist will pull it and clean out any infected tissue.
- Incision and drainage – If an abscess has formed, it may need to be cut open and drained first.
- Antibiotics – Prescription antibiotics (penicillin or clindamycin) are used alongside dental treatment to clear the infection.
- Pain medication – Over-the-counter pain relievers help relieve discomfort as the infection heals.
Follow your dentist’s instructions carefully after treatment. Infection may return if the tooth is not fully treated.
Can Baking Soda Help Treat a Tooth Infection?
Many people try using baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, to treat a tooth infection before seeing a dentist. There are a few proposed benefits:
- May pull toxins from infected site and reduce swelling
- Alkaline pH helps neutralize acidic bacterial waste
- Mild abrasive that can get into cracked teeth
- Antibacterial effects may inhibit bacterial growth
However, there is limited evidence that baking soda can cure a true tooth infection on its own. At best, it may provide temporary relief for symptoms like pain and swelling.
How to Use Baking Soda for a Tooth Infection
Here are some common ways to use baking soda on an infected tooth:
- Rinse mouth with 1⁄2 tsp baking soda dissolved in water
- Swish baking soda water in your mouth for 1-2 minutes before spitting out
- Make a paste with baking soda and water and apply to infected area
- Dip a dampened cotton swab in baking soda and dab on the tooth
- Sprinkle dry baking soda directly on the infected tooth and surrounding gum
You can do this several times a day until you’re able to see a dentist. It may temporarily relieve pain but won’t take the place of professional treatment.
Risks and Side Effects
While generally recognized as safe, baking soda does come with some potential side effects and risks:
- Upset stomach if swallowed
- Skin irritation if applied directly to gums
- Damage to tooth enamel with frequent use
- Burning sensation on irritated gums or open sores
- Delaying proper treatment which can make infection worse
Baking soda should not be used by children under 5 years old due to the risk of swallowing. It’s also not recommended for people with hypertension due to its high sodium content.
When to Avoid Baking Soda for Tooth Infections
While baking soda may be helpful for mild infection symptoms in some cases, it’s important to know when NOT to use it:
- Severe infection with facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing
- Abscess with pus drainage present
- Gum inflammation with ulcerations or bleeding
- Diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune system
- Allergy or sensitivity to sodium bicarbonate
These situations require professional dental care and antibiotics, not home remedies. The infection is likely too advanced for baking soda to provide any benefit.
Professional Dental Treatments
Here are some of the most common professional dental treatments for a tooth infection:
Root Canal Treatment
If the infection is deep inside the tooth, a root canal may be needed to remove the infected pulp and save the tooth:
- Local anesthetic is given to numb the area
- A hole is drilled through the top of the tooth into the pulp chamber
- Infected tissue is removed from root canal system
- Tooth is cleaned, disinfected, and sealed
- Crown placed on tooth to protect and restore it
Root canals have a high success rate. However, if the infection is too severe, the tooth may still require extraction.
Tooth Extraction
Removing the infected tooth entirely may be needed in advanced cases. This may involve:
- numbing the area with local anesthetic
- gently rocking tooth with instruments to loosen from socket
- wiggling and extracting tooth with forceps
- stitching gums closed with sutures that dissolve
- prescribing antibiotics to prevent further infection
The dentist will also scrape infected tissue from the socket and thoroughly flush it with sterile saline. Removal provides immediate relief by draining the abscess.
Incision and Drainage
If the infection causes a painful abscess on the gums, it may need to be drained first. This involves:
- Numbing the area with local anesthetic
- Making a small incision with a scalpel into the abscess
- Gently pressing on sides to drain out pus
- Irrigating site with sterile saline solution
- Placing a gauze pack over incision site
Draining the abscess helps relieve pressure and pain until the infected tooth can be treated.
Antibiotics
Most dentists will prescribe a course of antibiotics in addition to treating the infected tooth. Common ones include:
- Penicillin – Standard antibiotic that’s effective against oral infections
- Amoxicillin – A form of penicillin that lasts longer
- Clindamycin – Used for penicillin-allergic patients
- Doxycycline – Alternative for penicillin-allergic patients
It’s important to finish the entire antibiotic course as prescribed, even if symptoms resolve.
Recovering from a Tooth Infection
Here are some tips for recovering after treatment for a tooth infection:
- Take all antibiotics as directed until finished
- Use pain relief medication as needed for discomfort
- Rinse mouth with warm salt water to keep area clean
- Avoid eating or drinking through the treated side of mouth
- Eat soft foods until swelling goes down
- Avoid smoking, alcohol use, and irritating the area
- Get plenty of rest to support healing
- Follow up as directed with your dentist
Most tooth infections clear up completely after about 1-2 weeks with proper treatment. However, you may need additional dental work like a root canal or crown later to fully restore the tooth.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Even after treatment, contact your dentist or seek emergency care if you have:
- Fever over 100°F
- Swelling that spreads or makes swallowing difficult
- Return of pus or foul discharge
- Numbness or change in facial movement
- Severe pain not relieved by medication
These may be signs that the infection is continuing to spread in tissues and needs further treatment. Don’t attempt to self-treat a worsening tooth infection with home remedies.
Preventing Future Tooth Infections
While not always avoidable, you can lower your risk of tooth infections by:
- Brushing and flossing thoroughly twice a day
- Seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings
- Treating cavities early before they progress
- Monitoring teeth for cracks and getting them sealed
- Wearing a mouthguard during sports to prevent trauma
- Quitting smoking, which increases infection risks
Good dental hygiene and habits make it less likely for decay and bacteria to penetrate the teeth and cause infection.
Conclusion
While using baking soda on an infected tooth may temporarily relieve discomfort, it cannot cure a true tooth infection on its own. If you suspect you have an infection, see a dentist right away for proper treatment with root canals, extractions, antibiotics, and dental cleaning. This can prevent the infection from worsening and spreading. Trying to self-treat an advanced tooth infection with home remedies can lead to severe complications. Work with your dentist to resolve the infection and then improve your oral hygiene to prevent infections from occurring again in the future.