In an online blog a patient has written a remarkable story about how a visit to the dentist saved his life.

Nick Hughes, a young entrepreneur, had originally booked an emergency appointment to get an infected wisdom tooth removed, but the visit soon became a lifesaving decision when his dentist told him that had he not made the visit he would have been lucky to be alive.

“These infections kill people you know? ... Once it reaches other areas of your body it causes irreversible damage.” His dentist told him.

Nick writes that he had been suffering from a painful wisdom tooth for about a year, but had been trying to deal with it by taking painkillers. But when he was struck by an infection deep in the root he realised that he had been putting off going to the dentist for “way too long”.

The infection quickly spread, moving its way through the jaw making Nick’s face swollen and unbearable.

However, although the pain was terrible, he considered putting the dentist off so he could attend a meeting with some investors.

Fortunately, Nick decided to visit the dentist to have the tooth taken out. It was the best decision he could have made.

“From what I experienced and what I know now, I don’t think I would have made it. Once an infection like that spreads to other parts of your head, neck and chest… you’re done,” he wrote in his blog.

To read Nick’s blog click here.