Daniel, a young man from Chile, took to social media to share how a tooth infection left untreated over a decade ago caused him to lose both of his kidneys. His story, which went viral on TikTok, details a grueling medical journey that included five years of dialysis and an eventual kidney transplant.
The patient explained that the ordeal began following a dental procedure in which an infected tooth was extracted without the necessary prescription of antibiotics. According to his account, the infection spread through his system, attacking his heart and destroying his kidney function.
“The infection spread, attacked my heart, and destroyed my kidneys; I lost them completely,” the young man stated on his @darielsan2 account. Due to the kidney failure, Daniel had to undergo four-hour dialysis sessions three times a week, a process that required the creation of an arteriovenous fistula in his arm.
To overcome the crisis, the young man underwent a kidney transplant 13 years ago, donated by his own mother. “The true hero of this whole story was my mom, who donated one of her kidneys to me,” he revealed.
The Risks of Dental Infections
Carolina Pattillo, National Dental Director at RedSalud, warned that deep cavities or fractured teeth can become dangerous focal points for infection. She explained that bacteria and food particles can create an environment ripe for the infection to spread to surrounding tissues.
In extreme cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause life-threatening complications such as sepsis or endocarditis. “If the infection is not treated, it can spread further and affect surrounding tissues, which can lead to serious complications,” Pattillo noted.
Pattillo advised seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms such as facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing occur. She also warned against the dangers of self-medicating with antibiotics, noting that doing so can mask the severity of the condition and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.