Dental Health Forum - Spinal Infection Caused By Tooth Decay?

Conditions and Diseases > Dental Health Forum > Spinal Infection Caused By Tooth Decay?

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Q: Spinal Infection Caused By Tooth Decay?

asked by: elphaba on January 5th, 2008

New User

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone has heard of a tooth cavity/dental infection causing a spinal infection?

I have a cracked wisdom tooth that appears to have a cavity in it and about a month or two after this happened I was diagnosed with a spinal epidural abscess. I had to have surgery and several months of rehabilitation to recover from the compression on my spinal cord.

I talked to an infectious disease specialist to try and pinpoint a cause for the abscess but he did not think the tooth had anything to do with it. The infection was found to be Group B Strep if that gives any clue.

Now that I am getting much better after my surgery I am going to have the tooth taken care of but I just wanted to know if it could possibly be the culprit for this whole situation (despite what the ID doc thinks). Thanks to anyone who can help!

Replies(3)

prdent1

replied on January 5th, 2008

Supporter

I have never heard about it ,I doubt it because the bacterias that causes caries are not Group B strep you should look for another causes because These infections may spontaneously arise secondary to another infection somewhere in the body which include urinary tract infections, pneumonia, meningities or blood infections. Infections may also occasionally occur as a result of surgeries.

elphaba

replied on January 8th, 2008

New User

Thanks prdent. That's basically what the infectious disease specialist said as well. He also said in a good percentage of cases like this they never learn the source of the infection at all.

benn34

replied on May 8th, 2008

New User

Spinal Epidural Abscess

Hi, I have just read your post and even though I cant answer your question I have been in a very similar situation myself. In 2003 I had a routine operation on my bottom jaw then six weeks later I ended up with a spinal epidural abscess T1-T5 caused by Staph Aureas bug and even though there is much debate as to whether it was a result of my jaw operation my physiotherapist told me (as far as she is concerned) there is a possibility as she has heard of a case where a man ended up with an abscess on his brain after having an abscess on his tooth and I myself are convinced that mine was through my jaw surgery as it was only six weeks after but then I dont think we will know for sure until more people will come forward, only time will tell. Best Wishes Ann.

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