Identifying and Treating a Dead Tooth

Posted by Lucy petterson on December 9th, 2019

Our teeth are made up of hard and soft tissues. The pulp is the interior layer of the tooth. It comprises of nerves, which when damaged stop providing blood to the tooth. This results in infections and leads a tooth to die. Such a tooth is referred to as a non-vital tooth.

Signs of a dead tooth

A tooth that does not receive a fresh supply of blood is referred to as a dead tooth. Tooth discoloration isa preliminary sign of a dying tooth. Even pain in tooth or gums could indicate the same. This, however, doesn’t mean people with a uniformly discolored tooth in the shades of off-white or light yellow are heading towards dying teeth!

Discoloration: A discoloredand dying tooth will be a shade different than the rest of the teeth. It could appear yellow, light brown, grey, or even black. It could even look as if it’s bruised. Such discoloration increases with time, with the further decaying of the tooth.

Pain:A common symptom for a dying tooth is a pain in the tooth and adjoining gums. This may or may not be accompanied with sensitivity.

Other possible symptoms of dying tooth could be bad breath, swelling around the gum line and bad taste in your mouth.

Causes for a tooth to die

Trauma or injury is the most probable cause of a dead tooth, followed by poor dental hygiene.Poor dental hygiene may result in cavities. Cavities originate from the enamel and eventually reach the pulp and infect it. Such an infection results in cutting the blood supply to the pulp. If left untreated this could lead to a damaged and/or dead tooth.

Diagnosis

A routine dental examination and X-rays can help identify a dying tooth. Pain and discoloration could also indicate the same. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult a Private Dentist Near Me if you have been through any sort of tooth injury or if you notice any signs of a dying tooth. Quick treatment may save you a lot of probable trouble.

Treatment

Treating a dying/ dead tooth as soon as possible can prevent bacteria from the dead tooth to spread to other healthy teeth. Such a bacterial infection could also adversely affect the jawbone and gums.Chetan Morjaria dentistcan easily treat a dead/ dying tooth either with a root canal or by complete removal of the entire tooth.

Root canal
 
A root canal helps to keep your tooth intact. For a root canal, the dentist makes an opening into the tooth to remove the pulp and clean out the infection. Then he shall fill and seal the roots. After which he would place a permanent filling on it.Generally, one needs to get a crown following a root canal if the enamel was damaged or the tooth had a large filling. Over time teeth that have undergone a root canal tend to get brittle. Therefore, a crown is recommended especially for posterior teeth that carry out grinding and chewing.

Removal or extraction

If the toothis severely damaged and is in unrestorable condition, then Chetan Morjaria dentist from The Mindful dentist may recommend the complete removal ofthe dead tooth. Once the tooth is removed, he would guide you through the process of tooth replacement with options like dental implants, dentures or dental bridges.

Tips for prevention of tooth death

It is not always possible to prevent death/decay of your teeth. But certain things ensure to reduce the risk of tooth death-
•    Good oral hygiene- flossing once a day and brushing twice a day.
•    General dental check-ups with a private dentist near me, every once in 6 months. Preventative dental care assures to stop dental problems before they arise. A dentist can identify early signs of tooth issues and recommend steps to nip the issues in the bud.
•    Wear a mouth guard if participating in contact sports.
•    Eat a healthy diet regularly and avoid eating high sugar content foods.
•    Drink a lot of water, especially after eating. This helps wash away bacteria that could have formed on the teeth.

My Two Cents

You must consult a private dentist near me right away on the first signs or suspicions of a dead or dying tooth. It is no brainer that early treatment is sure to prevent further complications as an untreated infection from a dead tooth could easily damage the surrounding teeth and structures too!

The Mindful Dentist

Searching for a reputed Emergency Dentist South East London? Want to reach out to someone to handle your tooth troubles? Then the Mindful Dentist team is just where your search ends. They are your one-stop destination for all oral health needs. The Mindful Dentist team includes Kushel Morjaria dentist and Chetan Morjaria dentist. Their team provides top-class yet affordable all-round dental care. To learn more about options for dealing with a dead tooth, just call 0208 771 7888. You may even drop in an email at info@mindfuldentist.london.

Log on to www.mindfuldentist.london to get to know more!

Schedule an appointment today, let your teeth get the care they deserve!!