In plain words
An odontogenic infection starts in a tooth or the gum around a tooth. It often begins as a cavity or a cracked tooth. Bacteria can spread into the jaw and the soft tissues of the face and neck. Signs include pain, swelling, fever, trouble opening the mouth, and a tooth that feels loose. Pregnancy does not cause these infections, but hormone changes can make gum problems more likely. Dental care is safe in pregnancy and is often recommended for treating an active infection. A mother with these signs is usually told to contact a dentist or provider right away. The infection can move quickly into deep spaces of the neck, so it is treated as urgent.
The deeper version
Odontogenic infections arise from pulpal necrosis, , or pericoronitis and spread along fascial planes. Spread to the submandibular, sublingual, and parapharyngeal spaces can cause airway compromise and Ludwig angina, a medical emergency. ACOG Committee Opinion 569 (2013) states that dental treatment, including radiographs with abdominal shielding and local anesthesia, is safe in pregnancy and that untreated infection carries risk to the mother and fetus. Antibiotic selection in pregnancy follows the same principles used for other infections, with attention to fetal safety data and local resistance. Fever and facial swelling indicate need for urgent evaluation.
Where it comes up
- Dental care in pregnancyPregnancy: Your Body
- Bleeding gums and nosebleedsPregnancy: Your Body
- Headaches and migrainesPregnancy: Your Body
- Fever in a newborn is an emergencyBaby Basics
What mothers here say about odontogenic infection
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Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee Opinion 569: Oral health care during pregnancy and through the lifespan, 2013
- American Dental Association — Oral health care during pregnancy: guidance for dental teams