About five years ago, a nagging pain started to form in my back molar. I ignored the pain for about six months, and the discomfort disappeared. The tooth soon cracked while I was munching on some nuts. After some x-rays and a brief meeting with my dentist, I was informed that I needed a root canal procedure. The dentist explained that the initial dental pain indicated that I had a dental infection. The bacteria destroyed the pulp and nerve inside the tooth, and this left the molar dead and brittle. The tooth was later repaired with a crown, and I started to investigate dental infections. I know now that dental infections are extremely serious. Bacteria can spread through the mouth, to the heart, and to the brain. In some cases, infectious bacteria can even destroy the jaw. You need to know these facts too, so you can retain your health.