A: Well, we wouldn’t want to keep a dead finger on our hand. We wouldn’t want to keep a dead toe on our foot. So, a dead tooth in the mouth it’s a point where bacteria are going to be able to grow and populate and cause infection.
It’s definitely not going to get any better by itself—so, I’d say it’s never ok to have a dead tooth in the mouth. It would be a good idea to get that out as soon as possible.
Your teeth are comprised of both hard tissue and soft tissue. Most people only think of the hard tissue and often overlook that healthy teeth are very much living tissue. If the nerves within the pulp, the inner core of your tooth, get damaged from trauma or decay, blood flow can stop.
That often leads to infection and can kill that nerve, and that is also called a non-vital tooth. But how do you know when a tooth is dead? What if you don’t feel any pain in a dying or dead tooth?
Well, read further to learn how to self-diagnose a possible dead tooth so that you can verify it with your dentist and not ignore it.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Dead Tooth?
A dead tooth as discussed is a tooth that is not getting a supply of blood, which renders it dead. For many patients one of the early signs a tooth is dying is discoloration. That also may be accompanied by some pain in that tooth or the surrounding gum tissue.
When teeth are healthy, they’re usually some variation of white although that can vary as well depending on your diet and habits. For example, if you drink red wine, coffee, or smoke cigarettes often—your teeth will stain. Discoloration from habits like that will be uniform across most of your teeth though.
If a tooth is discolored because it is dead or dying, it will be a different color than any other teeth. It may look yellowish, light brown, or in extreme cases — black. It’s almost as if the tooth has been bruised. Over time as the decay progresses, the discoloration will intensify and then the tooth will completely die.
What Causes A Tooth To Die?
A tooth can die as a result of dental trauma such as tripping and hitting your mouth on the concrete. Also, a tooth can die as a result of neglecting oral hygiene and untreated cavities that lead to enamel erosion and infection. Your tooth may die rather quickly, as in a few days, or it could even take months or several years. So, don’t ignore it, if you see something off, better to be safe than sorry.
Professional Diagnosis & Treatment
If you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms of a dead or dying tooth you should see your dentist ASAP. A dying tooth can be confirmed with a normal dental exam with X-rays and visual inspection.
If you experience any dental trauma, you should always see your dentist immediately if possible. The sooner you diagnose a dying tooth the fewer issues you will have.
If it’s confirmed, you have a dead tooth you should get the recommended treatment as soon as possible. When left untreated, the bacteria can grow and turn into an infection which can then spread. An infection that is left untreated can cause you to lose additional teeth and worst case, it can get into your bloodstream. Once that happens, you are in a whole other level of trouble as that is called sepsis and can be fatal.
A dentist has a couple of options to treat a dead tooth depending on the severity of the decay. They can either perform a root canal or extract the tooth altogether.
Root canal
When you get a root canal you may be able to resolve the issue while leaving your tooth intact. This would help preserve your jawbone as the root would still be bonded. preventing disintegration.
During this treatment, the dentist drills into the tooth to make an opening and uses precision tools to remove the dead tissue. They’ll clean out the infection and then seal the root and put a filling in the opening.
Often, after a root canal, you may need a crown afterward. This is a good option if the enamel was compromised, or the filling was sizeable. Over time, a tooth that has had a root canal procedure can turn brittle. So, a crown is a good idea for your posterior teeth since they do a lot of chewing and grinding.
A crown is a protective covering that is custom molded to fit your tooth with precision. Part of the existing tooth will be filed down, and the crown will be bonded over your tooth. Crowns can be color-matched to your existing neighboring teeth to blend in.
If the doctor doesn’t conclude that you need a crown, you may be able to lighten the color of the tooth with dental bleach. Alternatively, you could opt for a dental veneer as well.
Extraction
If the damage is just too severe and the tooth can’t be restored, then extraction is your only option. Once the tooth is extracted your options are a bridge, denture, or the best solution—a dental implant. Dental implants are preferable because it preserves your jawbone and gives you full functionality.
Before you decide on your option you should ask your dentist a few key questions:
- Will I need to replace it down the road?
- How much a dental implant, denture, or bridge cost and will insurance cover it?
- What is the recovery and aftercare process like?
- What will I need to do differently to care for a bridge, denture, or dental implant?
Pain Management
If your tooth is causing you significant to severe pain, you can alleviate it some while waiting for a dental appointment:
- Avoid hot beverages as they cause blood to rush to the surface and instigate inflammation which will magnify your pain.
- Take an OTC anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or Motrin. DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN, it thins your blood. That will make clotting impossible if your gums are bleeding and can cause issues.
- Be gentle with your teeth, don’t eat hard or crunchy foods. It’s best to stick to soft foods that aren’t hot or cold, but at room temperature. Extreme temperatures can cause increased pain as well.
Get Immediate Help For A Dead Tooth
It’s crucial to see your dentist ASAP to treat a dead tooth. If you want immediate relief or your dentist isn’t available—JH Emergency Dental is.
We’re here to give you the relief you need as soon as possible so book with us online right now.
