How quickly does dental infection progress?

Very Rapidly: Dental infections can progress very quickly. They should not be ignored.

Infection: In addition to dr. Eltzroth's answer, a dental infection can make you sick and cause more than just pain or swelling. Be sure to see a dentist and get on antibiotics asap, as well as have the problem eliminated to prevent it from recurring.

Chronic vs acute: Chronic infections can last for years and stay local while acute infections can spread in hours and cause very serious complications. I have had a number of patients report their family or friends dying from spread of dental infection. Never take a chance, get treatment asap always!

Slow to fast: It's a war between the infecting bacteria and your bodies defenses. If your body is winning the battle you can have a chronic infection that remains fairly circumscribed. If the bacteria are winning, you can go from fine to septic in no time at all. Don't play a Russian Roulette, please call your Dentist before infection gets out of control.