A member asked:

Can dental cavities cause bacteremia and sepsis?

12 doctors weighed in across 6 answers

Yes: Although rare there are cases of bacteria causing sepsis after teeth cleaning. It is not much of a worry unless you have a mechanical heart valve. Most people do not need any antibiotics before seeing. Dentist for cleaning.

Answered 10/4/2016

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Dr. William Goldsmith answered

Specializes in Critical Care

Yes: Dental cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth. This same bacteria can get into the blood steam through breaks i'm the gums even when you brush your teeth. Occasionally this bacteria can cause sepsis particularly when it attacks the valves i'm the heart.

Answered 3/11/2016

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Dr. Gutti Rao answered

Specializes in Hospital-based practice

If infected: Dental cavity per se do not cause sepsis, but if infected like an abscess, then things can happen.

Answered 7/18/2015

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Dr. I. Jay Freedman answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Yes!: If dental caries are permitted through neglect to invade the soft tissue of the tooth (the nerve or pulp), than the possibility of an infection is great and with that medical situation comes the greater chance of a bacteremia or sepsis occurring. The solution is regular dental visits where problems can be detected early and treated before they are a crisis!

Answered 7/20/2015

4.9k views

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Dr. Louis Gallia answered

Specializes in Surgery - Oral & Maxillofacial

Yes: Yes, after spread into jaw bone and into blood stream. therefore treat all dental decay.

Answered 7/18/2015

2.5k views

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Dr. Paul Grin answered

Specializes in Pain Management

Of course: oral microorganisms from the infected site may reach the heart, lungs, and peripheral blood capillary system.

Answered 7/18/2015

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