Is it possible to treat teeth if your throat hurts?

Sore throat is not a symptom of caries and is characteristic of other diseases: tonsillitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis. But this does not mean that these pathologies are not related. One of them may cause the development of others. We will find out what connection there is between a sore throat and dental caries and tell you what to do if it occurs.

In this article

• What is caries: causes and mechanism of development
• Stages of caries
• Complications of carious lesions: can your throat hurt due to caries?
• Sore throat due to tonsillitis
• Laryngitis and sore throat
• Pharyngitis and sore throat
• Caries and lymphadenitis
• How to avoid caries complications
• What dental pathologies can cause a sore throat?
• Is it possible to treat teeth if your throat hurts?
• General recommendations for dental care

Typically, people associate a symptom such as a sore throat with a sore throat - an acute infection of the tonsils. Indeed, with this disease a person always has a sore throat, which should already be a reason to visit a doctor. However, there are other possible causes for this symptom.

Can it cause tooth decay? This is not possible directly: a sore throat is not one of the components of the symptoms of a carious lesion. But it can lead to throat problems indirectly, that is, through other pathologies, provoking them or increasing the risk of their occurrence. We will tell you how caries develops, what complications it leads to and why.

What is caries: causes and mechanism of development

Caries is a pathological process that destroys the hard tissues of the tooth - enamel and dentin. It occurs when cariogenic microorganisms actively multiply in the oral cavity, releasing harmful acids. They reduce the pH of the oral fluid, oxidize the enamel and destroy its structure, leaching various microelements from it. It does not have time to recover naturally and cannot protect the internal tissues of the tooth from external influences.

Caries develops under the influence of many factors, including:

• poor hygiene;
• improper growth of teeth;
• excessive consumption of sweets;
• smoking;
• weak immunity, etc.

About 90% of people suffer from this pathology to one degree or another. However, it is not difficult to cure it, at any stage. To do this, you just need to contact your dentist in time and start treatment. If you ignore the symptoms of tooth decay, it can cause complications, some of which are accompanied by a sore throat.

Stages of caries

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of caries, which determine the method of its treatment. Each of them has its own symptoms. At the first stage (initial), a chalky (white) stain forms on the tooth surface, which indicates the process of demineralization of the enamel. It becomes less calcium, fluorine and other trace elements. At the same time, it does not have time to recover naturally and slowly collapses.

At the second stage (superficial), the pathology penetrates deep into the enamel, but continues to remain within its boundaries, without affecting the dentin. There is no carious cavity at this stage yet, but the patient is already worried about the first symptoms of the disease: his tooth may hurt when eating sweet foods, or less often - hot and cold. The pain subsides after the stimulus is removed.

At the third stage (middle), a carious cavity is formed - a cone-shaped hole of a brownish color. Bacteria quickly multiply in it and penetrate the dentin. Pain occurs when there are temperature changes, from sweet and sour foods, and also when brushing your teeth.

At the fourth stage (deep), the carious cavity is a large hole of almost black color. A person’s breath constantly smells bad, the tooth hurts often, and the pain is sharp and sharp. It can occur at rest. There is a risk of caries spreading to the soft tissues inside the dentin, that is, to the pulp.

Angina

If you have tonsillitis, you should also not visit the dentist. With tonsillitis, severe weakness, fever and swelling of the tissues are observed. If teeth are treated and removed at this time, there is a high probability of infection spreading to healthy tissue.

It is worth understanding that treating teeth if you have a sore throat can result in serious complications. In addition, after tooth extraction there is a huge risk of infection of the hole, which will lead to suppuration and poor healing.

If you have a severe toothache due to tonsillitis, then before visiting the dentist you must sanitize your mouth and throat with antiseptic solutions. The dentist should be notified of a sore throat; you may have to take antibiotics after tooth extraction.

Dental treatment with purulent sore throat is especially difficult. In this case, there is a risk of developing sepsis.

Complications of carious lesions: can your throat hurt due to caries?

A carious lesion is a permanent source of infection. Bacteria, mainly streptococcal bacteria, multiply in it, which can spread to other parts of the oral cavity: gums, tongue, mucous membrane or throat.

Under certain conditions, for example, after hypothermia, with reduced immunity or during a cold, these microbes can provoke infectious diseases, including tonsillitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis. These diseases may cause a sore throat. Let's briefly look at their features.

Sore throat due to tonsillitis

Tonsillitis develops when pathogenic bacteria and viruses, including streptococci, which cause caries, enter the tonsils. Often, the causative agent of the disease penetrates the oral cavity and enters the throat along with inhaled air or food. However, an endogenous variant of infection is also possible, when microbes infect tonsil tissue from foci of infection in the oral cavity. The development of the infectious process is also facilitated by:

• tonsil injuries;
• chronic diseases of the mouth and nose;
• violation of nasal breathing;
• various somatic diseases.

Tonsillitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. An exacerbation of this pathology is also called sore throat, which is always accompanied by a sore throat. Inflammation of the tonsils also has other symptoms, which depend on the type and form of the disease.

Typical signs of tonsillitis are:

• sore throat that gets worse when swallowing;
• irradiation of pain into the ear;
• increased body temperature;
• putrid breath odor;
• general weakness, decreased performance;
• headaches, muscle and joint pain;
• dry cough.

In very severe cases, severe swelling of the tonsils is possible, which makes breathing difficult. Tonsillitis is treated therapeutically using antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal agents, as well as antibiotics.

Why are dentists closed during the coronavirus period?

According to the decree of the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, the activities of dental clinics are prohibited from March 25. The reason for this ban on the activities of dentists is obvious: dental treatment involves close contact between the patient and the dentist, during which the risks of contracting coronavirus significantly increase.

Safety rules during coronavirus quarantine require maintaining a social distance of 1.5 meters, and the maximum distance between the dentist and the patient during dental treatment is 30-50 centimeters.

Of course, in dentistries that care about the health of their patients, sanitary and hygienic treatment of premises, disinfection of equipment and instruments are always carried out, and dentists and staff themselves work in masks and gloves. However, all these measures taken in dentistry are not enough to completely protect against coronavirus, and below we will explain in detail why.

To treat a patient's teeth, the dentist works in the oral cavity and uses a drill in his work. Its use is associated with the formation of a fine aerosol flow, in which particles of the patient’s saliva are present. This flow easily penetrates under a regular medical mask. If a person is already infected with coronavirus, the risk of infection of the doctor and staff will be 99.9%. And after leaving the place of work, the dentist, after contact with a carrier of the coronavirus, will transmit the infection to at least people from his close circle.

The same high risks of coronavirus infection will remain when a dentist uses ultrasonic scalers and Air Flow units, because during professional teeth cleaning a suspension of water and saliva particles is also formed.

For all of the above reasons, neither public nor private dentistry is operating normally at the current time.

Many people are wondering: is it possible to come to the dentist if there are no signs of coronavirus? We answer: it is better to follow all the rules of the self-isolation regime and postpone planned dental treatment until it is completed, because in more than 45% of patients already ill with coronavirus, the disease is asymptomatic and does not show itself in any way by external signs.

Laryngitis and sore throat

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx that is infectious in nature. The inflammatory process can develop as an independent disease or as a complication of systemic infections, for example, measles, ARVI, influenza, etc. Depending on the form and type of laryngitis, it can be accompanied by various symptoms.

Common features are:

• Swelling of the throat. Patients complain of a feeling of squeezing in the neck, as if a tight bandage had been placed on it.
• Hoarseness of voice. It gets worse when a person raises their voice or speaks for a long time.
• Discomfort when swallowing, especially cold and hot foods.
• A sore throat, a constant desire to cough, causing the throat to become even more irritated.
• Accumulation of mucous secretions in the throat; it seems to a person that they are flowing directly from the nasal cavity.

Pain in the throat occurs only when swallowing; The pain cannot be called strong and intense, but it causes a lot of inconvenience. In addition, headaches occur, body temperature rises to approximately 38°, and weakness and malaise bothers you.

Pharyngitis and sore throat

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa that is caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. More often, a person becomes infected with this disease through inhaled air and food, but other routes of infection are also possible, for example, from a carious tooth. With this disease, the throat hurts and the temperature rises to 37.5-38 °C.

Depending on the type and form of the pathology, the following symptoms may occur:

• redness of the throat;
• rashes on the oral mucosa;
• purulent plaque on the throat;
• runny nose, dry cough, tickling;
• weakness and fatigue;
• muscle pain.

Pharyngitis can be caused not only by caries, but also by other dental diseases, including stomatitis. Inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa can be treated quickly enough, but complete lack of treatment leads to the development of chronic pharyngitis.

Cold on the lips

Almost 90% of the population is infected with the herpes virus. This virus may not manifest itself for a long time, but as soon as immunity decreases, rashes immediately appear on the lips.

Many people do not even suspect that rashes on the lips are an absolute contraindication to any dental treatment. During the treatment and removal of teeth, the oral mucosa is severely injured. This leads to the spread of the virus and the development of herpetic stomatitis.

Caries and lymphadenitis

Tooth decay can negatively affect the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes act as filters in the body, trapping harmful microbes and destroying them. Lymph nodes are also involved in strengthening the immune system.

Due to the spread of cariogenic bacteria, for example, with advanced caries, inflammation of the lymph nodes can occur. They increase in size and hurt. One possible symptom of lymphadenitis is pain when swallowing. Inflammation can be eliminated with the help of medications, but it will occur again if the underlying disease is not treated, in this case, caries.

How to avoid caries complications

The main danger is advanced caries, which at any time can provoke pulpitis, periodontitis, lymphadenitis and other pathologies. If a person has a weak immune system, the likelihood of these complications increases many times over. The best way to avoid them is to treat tooth decay on time. Dentists recommend coming for an examination every six months, during which even hidden forms of carious lesions can be identified at the initial stage and treated.

At the first and second stages, when a carious cavity has not yet formed, remineralization is carried out - saturation of the enamel with minerals. A composition enriched with calcium and fluoride is applied to the tooth surface, which allows you to quickly restore the enamel structure and normalize the balance of microelements in the oral fluid. Remineralization is prescribed in a course lasting from 5 to 15 sessions, depending on the condition of the teeth. To enhance the remineralization therapy, the patient should use toothpastes, gels and rinses with minerals: Mirafluor C Toothpaste with Amine Fluoride, DRC ROCS (ROCS) Medical Minerals and Vivax "Remineralization". During treatment you need to give up smoking and sweets.

If there is a carious cavity, the dentist prepares the diseased tooth, that is, cleanses the cavity of dead tissue, and installs a filling. In some cases, when soft tissue is involved in the pathological process, the pulp is removed. If the tooth is severely damaged, dentures may be required. If none of these methods is suitable, the diseased tooth is extracted. An implant can be installed instead.

Of course, a sore throat can occur not only because of the listed diseases and caries, as one of the reasons for their occurrence. There are other pathologies that are accompanied by this symptom. We'll tell you what dental diseases it appears in.

What dental pathologies can cause a sore throat?

The throat hurts due to stomatitis, improper eruption of wisdom teeth and periodontitis. The most insidious of these diseases is stomatitis - inflammation of the oral mucosa that develops as a result of injuries, infections and allergies. Because of it, many small ulcers form in the mouth, each of which is a source of bacteria. Stomatitis often goes away on its own, so rarely does anyone go to the hospital with it. However, this is the danger of the pathology - it can cause other diseases, including sore throat.

The main signs of stomatitis are ulcers on the oral mucosa and pain while eating. There may also be a discharge of translucent exudate, the formation of white plaque and swelling of the gums. In severe cases, when a person has a weak immune system, the temperature rises, chills and fever bother them.

A sore throat may be caused by the eruption of wisdom teeth. First, pain appears in the gums. If it grows in the wrong direction, it can injure the mucous membrane and lead to the development of inflammation. The pain is localized in the throat and lower neck, and the lymph nodes are often inflamed.

If your throat hurts, but there are no signs of laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, an examination is carried out for the presence of periodontitis - an inflammatory disease of the tissues surrounding the tooth. As a rule, it occurs due to non-compliance with hygiene rules. Caries can also cause periodontitis.

Inflammation is accompanied by pain when severe. The throat is not involved in the pathological process, but the patient may complain of pain when chewing and swallowing. Treatment of periodontitis is carried out by cleaning gum pockets and antibacterial therapy.

Why you shouldn't treat your teeth if you have a cold

Planned dental treatment for colds is not recommended. It is necessary to understand that with any disease the body is greatly weakened and all organs and systems work under increased load.

Filling or removing teeth is an intervention in the body from the outside, which requires the mobilization of all forces. If these medical procedures are carried out during a respiratory illness, the body can react to it completely unpredictably. Interestingly, complications do not occur in all cases, but here the matter concerns health, so it’s still better not to take risks.

It is not worth removing and treating teeth if you have a runny nose or sore throat, as the following complications may develop:

• A secondary infection may occur. With weakened immunity, pathogenic microorganisms from the oral cavity easily spread throughout the body.
• Often, after visiting the dentist, wounds form in the mouth, which are entry points for viruses and bacteria.
• If you need to remove a nerve or pull out a tooth, the doctor uses anesthesia, which has a very bad effect on a weakened body.
• Signs of respiratory failure may develop, since with a severe runny nose it is very difficult to sit in the dentist's chair for a long time with your mouth open.
• If you have a cough, you should also not treat your teeth. A constant urge to cough will interfere with manipulations and there is a high probability of choking on a cotton swab.

We should not forget about the moral side of the issue. You should not treat your teeth if you have a sore throat or colds, as there is a high probability of infecting the dentist.

If your teeth do not hurt or the pain is quite tolerable, it is better to postpone a visit to the dentist until better times.

General recommendations for dental care

If you follow a number of rules, your teeth and throat will hurt less often:

• brush your teeth twice a day;
• change your toothbrush every three months;
• use irrigators to clean the oral cavity;
• rinse your mouth after every meal;
• use dental floss for additional hygiene;
• Visit your doctor every six months for ultrasonic cleaning.

Do not ignore symptoms such as sore throat, inflammation of the lymph nodes, ulcers on the oral mucosa, etc. If they appear, consult a doctor immediately.

What to do if your tooth hurts badly?

Toothache can appear at the most inopportune moment. This is well understood by the people who make laws in our country and, of course, by us, the dentists at the Aesthetica clinic in Moscow. At the moment, we are working on duty and are ready to accept patients with acute pain, because we know that excruciating, acute pain syndrome is often a sign of dangerous inflammatory processes that pose a threat not only to human health and life.

If you have a severe toothache and the pain does not stop from taking painkillers from pharmaceutical drugs, it intensifies, and swelling of the gums and cheeks has appeared against it - call our dentistry and make an appointment at one of our branches - in Barvikha or Podsosensky Lane.

Receiving patients for acute pain during the coronavirus quarantine period is not prohibited by the decree of the mayor of Moscow, therefore the activities of our dentistry on duty are legal.