17 Nov Remote infections
Teeth and their periodontium (gums and tooth support bones) can be the gateway to bacterial infections that can lead to serious general pathologies.
Origin of infection located at the level of the tooth
If a damaged or fractured tooth is not treated quickly, the tooth pulp necrosis and putrefies. The microbes then spread through the root with the risk of creating a localized abscess. Bacteria, by developing in bone, release toxins that cause destruction of bone tissue in the jaw and spread to the surrounding tissues.
Infection can then take indirect routes such as lymphatic or blood circulation.
– Lymphatic spread: the glands of the head and neck swell and become painful.
– Blood Propagation: Bacteria will gain another organ such as sinuses, eyes, heart, lungs or joints. They can then trigger pathologies on these organs, but also, and above all, aggravate pre-existing pathologies.
Origin of infection at the periodontal level
Periodontal diseases of bacterial origin have the power, in certain acute forms, to increase or maintain the risk of developing pathologies such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (endocarditis, atherosclerosis, coronary diseases), pulmonary and respiratory diseases, complications in case of Pregnancy, problems during cardiac surgery or orthopaedic surgery (prosthesis of hip, knee, etc.).
- These problems must be taken very seriously. A particularly accurate clinical and radiological assessment of the oral cavity should be made when a general pathology occurs.
- In addition, this assessment should be carried out systematically before any intervention at risk of infection. A possible infectious oral, gingival or dental focus should be sought and treated immediately.
- The practitioner is there to screen patients at risk and prevent infections. He will discuss the causes, whether dental or periodontal.