1. Dental infections that cannot wait

This module

This is module 2 of 2 (1 hour). Completing both is the full 2-hour sepsis series.

Suggested study time

• Spreading odontogenic pathways — 20 min
• Safety-netting language — 18 min
• Handover, AMS and documentation — 17 min
• Knowledge check — 5 min

Watch the spaces

Infection from lower molars can track to the submandibular and sublingual spaces. Floor-of-mouth swelling, a raised tongue, and drooling are airway warnings. Upper infections can involve the canine fossa and, rarely, threaten the orbit — red, swollen eye, reduced vision, or pain on eye movement is not a “hot tooth” for Monday.

Trismus

Limited opening from pain is common. Rapidly worsening trismus with swelling and systemic upset is not. You need to look, measure if you can, and reassess the same day if you send them home at all.

Bilateral neck swelling

Think deep-space infection. This is OMFS / ED, not a private course of metronidazole and a hope.

Children

They compensate and then fall off a cliff. Poor feeding, lethargy, and a spreading facial swelling need paediatric-aware urgent care — not “see how they are in the morning” without a named person to call.