Ludwig’s angina is a rare bacterial infection that occurs in the floor of the mouth, under the tongue. Ludwig’s angina often occurs after an infection in a tooth root, such as a tooth abscess (pus in the tooth), or an injury in the mouth area. It can also be caused by other types of oral infections. Usually, adults are more susceptible to Ludwig’s angina than children.
Ludwig’s Angina Symptoms
This condition causes the formation of abscesses or pus-filled lumps in the neck to the surroundings. In addition, Ludwig’s angina also causes tongue swelling, neck pain, and respiratory problems. Here are the symptoms of Ludwig’s angina:
- Pain in the bottom of the mouth or under the tongue.
- There is a lump that caused difficulty swallowing and talking, and continued to salivate.
- The neck is swollen and feels painful.
- The neck becomes reddish.
- Limp body and easily tired.
- The ear feeling hurt.
- Swollen tongue.
- Fever.
During the infection, you may experience difficulty breathing with chest pain. This can be a serious sign and can develop into complications that can cause death. Complications of Ludwig’s angina can be in the form of sepsis (bacterial infection in the blood) or obstruction of the respiratory tract due to the body’s response to bacteria that cause severe inflammation.
Pus-filled lumps in the neck due to Ludwig’s angina caused by bacterial infections, generally Streptococcus and Staphylococcus bacteria.
This disease usually often occurs in people with the following conditions:
- Poor oral and dental hygiene.
- Have experienced trauma or tears in the mouth.
- Just pulled a tooth.
- Having an oral or dental infection.
Ludwig’s Angina Treatments
Reporting from Healthine, Ludwig’s angina treatment can be distinguished based on the original cause. Delayed treatment increases the risk of complications and endangers lives, such as:
- Clogged airways
- Sepsis, which is a severe reaction to bacteria or other germs
- Septic shock, which is an infection that causes very low blood pressure
Swelling caused by Ludwig’s angina can interfere with your breathing. The doctor will insert a breathing tube through the nose or mouth and into the lungs to clear the airways. In severe and emergency cases, a breathing tube will be inserted through the neck and throat through a tracheostomy procedure.
In addition, this condition often causes edema, which is swelling due to excess fluid. Thus, a surgical procedure is needed to drain excess fluid in the swollen oral cavity.
Most likely you also need antibiotics that will be injected into a vein until the symptoms disappear. After that, you will be recommended to take oral medication until the next test shows that the bacteria has disappeared.
Maintaining cleanliness and oral health are the key to preventing Ludwig’s angina. Less consume foods that can injure teeth, gums, tongue, or mouth, such as food is too hot or too hard and rough.
Fulfill the needs of vitamin C which protects you from canker sores while enhancing your immune system against bacteria and viruses. Then, check your teeth to the dentist regularly at least once every 6 months. And see a doctor immediately if you have symptoms of Ludwig’s angina.