It is a quick step for the bacteria to get into the cavity in the center of the tooth and begin to erode the bone. Subsequently teeth loosen in their sockets and fall out. Contemporary burials from Barbados exhibit even worse dental conditions than Maisabel. Mandibles had resorbed so badly that there was no evidence of sockets. Severe oral infection can become systemic infecting the whole body through the bloodstream.
Death is rapid if the bacteria reach the heart.
Commonly, bone in other parts of the body, specifically a special type of bone called periosteal reactive bone that is found on the long bones is attacked. The condition is very painful, crippling, and ultimately terminal. Fortunately for us, hematogenous osteomyelitis is now treatable with antibiotics. Lacking effective treatment, perhaps one seriously infected individual at Maisabel had someone help him end his increasingly agonizing life. This individual was the one with the sting ray spine in his chest.