Dental Guides: How Long Until a Tooth Infection Kills You?

It’s rare — but yes, a tooth infection can kill you if left untreated. Most people associate toothaches with discomfort or inconvenience, but in extreme cases, an untreated infection can spread, becoming life-threatening within days or weeks.

To be clear: not every tooth infection will escalate this far. But if bacteria from an infected tooth enter the bloodstream or vital areas like the jaw, neck, or brain, it can lead to conditions like sepsis, brain abscess, or Ludwig’s angina — all of which require urgent medical attention.

How Does a Tooth Infection Become Dangerous?

A tooth infection, often starting as a dental abscess, occurs when bacteria infect the pulp of the tooth (the soft inner part). This can happen due to decay, gum disease, cracked teeth, or failed dental work.

If the infection isn’t drained or treated with antibiotics, it can spread beyond the tooth root into nearby tissues. Once it reaches deeper areas of the face, jaw, throat or bloodstream, it becomes significantly more serious — and much harder to treat.

Signs It May Be Becoming Life-Threatening

Some symptoms that a tooth infection may be spreading include:

• Swelling of the face or jaw that’s rapidly getting worse

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

• High fever or chills

• Rapid heartbeat

• Confusion or drowsiness

• Severe pain that spreads to the ear, neck, or eye

If any of these symptoms appear, it's no longer just a dental issue — it's a medical emergency, and you should go to A&E immediately.

How Long Does It Take for a Tooth Infection to Spread?

In some cases, infections can spread in a matter of days. In others, it may take weeks or months, especially if the immune system is compromised or if symptoms are ignored.

The bottom line is: there’s no set timeline. It depends on the person, the severity of the infection, and whether it’s treated early. That’s why even a mild toothache that lingers should be checked by a dentist — it’s far easier to treat at the start than once it’s spread.

Can Antibiotics Cure It?

Antibiotics can help control the infection, but they don’t fix the underlying cause. If the tooth remains untreated, the infection often returns. You’ll likely need additional dental work — such as drainage, a root canal, or an extraction — to fully resolve it.

When to See a Dentist (or Doctor)

See a dentist as soon as possible if you have:

• A toothache that lasts more than a day or two

• Swelling around the tooth or gum

• Bad taste in your mouth or foul-smelling breath

• Pus coming from the gum

• Fever or general unwellness

If you can't get a dentist appointment and symptoms are getting worse — especially involving breathing, swallowing, or swelling — go to A&E or call 111 for urgent care advice.

Final Thought

A tooth infection probably won’t kill you — if you get it treated. But if ignored or left too long, it can lead to serious complications and, in rare cases, death. Don’t risk it. If something feels off, see a dentist. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to infections in the head or neck.