Grosse Pointe Cosmetic Dentist
  • 20039 Mack Avenue
  • Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
  • 48236
  • (313) 885-9454

ASHISH PATEL BDS MSD DDS

 

  • Home
  • Meet Us
    • Meet Dr. Patel
    • About the Team
    • About Our Office
    • Map and Directions
    • Financial Policy
    • Technology
    • Make an Appointment
  • Reconstructive Services
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Implants—Procedure
    • Dental Bridges
    • Dentures
  • Cosmetic Treatments
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Invisalign
    • Porcelain Crowns
    • Porcelain Onlay
    • Dental Bonding
  • Other Services
    • White Fillings
    • Gold Crowns
    • Root Canal Treatment
    • Gum Disease
    • Laser Dentistry
    • TMJ Treatment
    • Sedation Dentistry
reviews button Appointment Button
Or Call 313-885-9454

Can a Tooth Infection Spread to a Salivary Gland?

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Ashish Patel.

I’m helping my adult daughter with some research. She had a root canal treatment a little over a year ago. Since then, she’s had two salivary gland infections. Her doctor cannot figure out the cause and she’s been miserable every time this happens. I am wondering if it is possible that something is leaking from her root canal treatment and causing the salivary gland infection. They are in the same area. Have you heard of this?

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

Woman holding her jaw with TMJ pain

 

I’m sorry your daughter has been having so much trouble. Any type of tooth infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the salivary glands. This is in part why they are often considered dental emergencies. If the root canal treatment has failed, that would mean the infection has resurfaced. However, just doing an x-ray should reveal that right away.

My recommendation is that she see her dentist and ask him to x-ray the root canaled tooth. If there is an infection there it will show up. If there is not an infection there, then it will not be the cause of her salivary gland infection.

If her root canal treatment has failed, she should be aware that each successive retreatment has a lower chance of success. That doesn’t mean it won’t succeed, just that the percentages are lower. This is because sometimes there are canals that just cannot be reached. Each tooth is different and the canals are unique. Some are at angles that both hide them and make them impossible to completely clean out.

If that happens, she may end up having to have the tooth extracted. That’s not ideal and would be considered a last resort. If that does happen, I would recommend a dental implant as the best replacement possible.

This blog is brought to you by Gross Pointe Woods Dentist Dr. Patel.

Recent Posts

  • Dentist is Refusing to Remove Her Tooth
  • Does Invisalign Work When You Have Missing Teeth?
  • Sedation for Wisdom Tooth Extractions
  • How Often Do I Need to See a Dentist for Invisalign?
  • Is My Dentist Trying to Scare Me?

Categories

  • Best Dentist
  • Dental Bonding
  • Dental Implants
  • Dentures
  • Emergency Dentist
  • General
  • Grosse Pointe Woods Dentist
  • Invisalign
  • Lumineers
  • Snoring
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Uncategorized
  • Zoom Whitening

Archives

Contact Us

decorative line
Ashish Patel, D.D.S.
20039 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Phone: 313-885-9454
URL of Map

Office Hours

decorative line
Monday8:00 - 5:00
Tuesday8:00 - 5:00
Wednesday8:00 - 5:00
ThursdayVaried hours
decorative line
care credit logo
lending club logo
decorative line
map iconView Map and Get Directions

Read our Reviews

decoratrive line
©2009-2025 Ashish Patel DDS. • All Rights Reserved

SEO by Infinity Dental Webcopyright logo

  • Our Privacy Policy
<
  • Home
  • Meet Us
    • Meet Dr. Patel
    • About the Team
    • About Our Office
    • Map and Directions
    • Financial Policy
    • Technology
    • Make an Appointment
  • Reconstructive Services
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Implants—Procedure
    • Dental Bridges
    • Dentures
  • Cosmetic Treatments
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Teeth Whitening
    • Invisalign
    • Porcelain Crowns
    • Porcelain Onlay
    • Dental Bonding
  • Other Services
    • White Fillings
    • Gold Crowns
    • Root Canal Treatment
    • Gum Disease
    • Laser Dentistry
    • TMJ Treatment
    • Sedation Dentistry