Can an cavity cause death?

Question

I just wanted to know can it cause death?

Answer 1

It can although it's rare. It would have to be infected and if that occurs the infection can go through the blood stream and poison your blood, hence cause death, that is why everyone should visist the dentist every 6moths, it's cheaper to treat a small cavity than a big one saving you a lot of money in the furture, cos in some cases you would need a root canal and then a cap put in that is very expentive like over 1 thousand per tooth.

Answer 2

If a cavity causes an infection and the infection is not treated, yes...it can cause death. The mouth is connected to the nasal sinuses which go directly into the head and brain. There have been cases of untreated gum and tooth infections that attack the meninges (coverings of the brain and spinal cord) and cause severe enough swelling to produce death.

Answer 3

The infection that normally will grow in a cavity can cause poisoning of the blood stream that can lead to death or if not death other serious illnesses if not treated.

I knew a lady that developed cancer in the mouth from not having a tooth treated that continually got infection.

Answer 4

A cavity left unattended can lead to a bacterial infection, can cause the tooth to become abscessed. This can cause blood poisoning, witch could cause death. It would be a slow drawn out death and very painful.

Answer 5

I suppose it can if there is an infection that goes untreated and the infection gets into the blood stream causing (Sepsis). Sepsis is an infection of the blood stream and once that happens if left untreated the infection spreads throughout the entire body and all of the organs. A person with sepsis would be in critical condition and could die from it.

Answer 6

Yes. The info previous posters put is seems to be correct. One cavity may not do it, but a mouth full of untreated cavities will. I had a friend that died because of this.

Answer 7

Two major ways:

1.) Cavity -> infected -> abscess -> generalised sepsis -> death from systemic infection.

2.) Cavity -> infection -> bacteremia -> lodging in brain -> death from stroke.

Actual risk: Really, really, really low. But they hurt. Ouchy.

Answer 8

If left untreated, the bacteria from the cavity could travel into your blood stream and eventually cause an anurism. Abcest teeth can also.

Answer 9

If it results in an abscess or infection and that isn't treated then yes it can cause death.

Answer 10

Yes it can depending on the severity of it, Recently in the news a young boy died because he didn't have any medical insurance to go to the dentist and it caused bacterial infection to go up into his brain and he died.