Dealing with a Rotten Tooth – What Are Your Options?

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Table of Contents
- What Is a Rotten Tooth?
- Causes
- Signs & Symptoms
- Treatment Options
- References
In most cases, a rotten tooth is a badly decayed tooth with one or more large cavities. In almost all cases, issues with the tooth are visible to the naked eye, although your dentist will still inspect it under magnification and probably will probe it with one or more instruments to gauge your level of discomfort.
Dealing with a rotten tooth can be a little frightening. First, it probably hurts. Second, there’s a chance you could lose the tooth.
Once a tooth is decayed this badly, it’s hard to know what treatment options might work to keep the tooth and what this means for your overall dental health.
What Is a Rotten Tooth?
A rotten tooth is pretty much any tooth that has serious decay. When a tooth is rotten, you will be able to tell simply by inspecting that part of your mouth in the mirror or with a hand mirror.
While it may not seem much worse than a cavity, a rotten tooth can lead to infections that cause more serious problems in your mouth and throughout your body. It can hamper your ability to eat, leading to potential vitamin and nutrient deficiencies if you start to feel pain.
If you think this is something you have, you should reach out to your dentist immediately for an appointment.
What Causes a Tooth to Go Rotten?
A rotten tooth is basically just a very bad cavity or a tooth that has been ravaged by decay in multiple spots. In many cases, this is due to poor oral hygiene practices, like not flossing in that area or not brushing your teeth at least twice per day.
Diet can also cause a rotten tooth. Sugar-rich foods and beverages, as well as starchy foods can lead to plaque buildup that can create serious problems in your mouth. Certain acidic and sugary foods and beverages like soda can cause even more problems since they can begin attacking your tooth enamel shortly after you consume them.
Certain medications may also impact your dental health and lead to a rotten tooth. If medications you’re taking are having a toll on your dental health, you may want to work with your doctor to find options that don’t impact your teeth in such a negative fashion.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of rotten teeth and tooth decay are numerous. Common symptoms include:
Visible Cavities
Large Black and Brown Spots
Holes
Bleeding
Fever
Swelling
Pain or Toothache
Your Teeth Are More Sensitive To Hot and Cold Foods
Treatment Options
Serious cavities and rotten teeth require immediate attention from your dentist. The first thing you should do is make an appointment with a trusted dentist to have your tooth evaluated right away.
If you’re in pain or you may have an infection, let your dentist know when you schedule your appointment. They will try to fit you in earlier, as these are serious issues that shouldn’t wait.
Here are some of the most common treatment options for dealing with a rotten tooth:
Fillings
Crowns
Root Canal
Tooth Extraction
Infection Control
References
Cavities/Tooth Decay. Mayo Clinic. Date fetched: August 24, 2021.
Cavities. Cleveland Clinic. Date fetched: August 24, 2021.
Bleeding Gums. Medline Plus. Date fetched: August 24, 2021.
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