Teeth are considered to be living things, which means that they are able to die. Teeth that are referred to as dead or rotten are teeth that have no blood flowing to it. A dead or rotten tooth can also be referred to as a “non-vital tooth” or “necrotic pulp”.
A “dead tooth” refers to a tooth when there is no longer any blood flow to it. Sometimes this is also known as a “non-vital tooth.” Both tooth decay and an injury can cause a dead tooth.
Teeth are living things. The pulp — nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue inside a tooth — keeps it alive. A dead tooth occurs when those tissues are damaged and the blood supply to the tooth is lost. It may be painful or may cause no symptoms at all.
Teeth that are referred to as “dead” are called so because there is no more blood flowing to it, hence it cannot sustain life. You've got various terms for dead teeth, including “non-vital tooth,” or “necrotic pulp.” Once a tooth dies, it's only a matter of time before it falls out of its own accord.
If your tooth is severely damaged and unable to be restored, your dentist may recommend completely removing the dead tooth. During the procedure, the dentist will completely remove the tooth.
Non-removal of a dead tooth from your mouth is not wise because it can harm your remaining teeth and jaw, which is significantly dangerous. Depending on the extent and type of damage, the tooth may remain in your mouth for days, months, and even years before falling out by itself.
The empty space inside dead teeth is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, the perfect setting for an infection. You could also end up with a painful abscess. With treatment, you can avoid both these issues.
The decaying nerves in the tooth socket are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. This can lead to a severe infection, which is not only painful but can increase your risk of a chronic health condition, such as cardiovascular disease. For this reason, a dead tooth should never be left alone.
Treatment Options For a Dead Tooth
The two main dead tooth treatment options are: Root canal therapy. A root canal is the only way to save a dead tooth and involves removing the pulp and cleaning the site to prevent infections.
Tooth Sensitivity or Pain – As the nerves that lead to a dying tooth begin to die away, they may become extra sensitive, causing you a tooth ache or sensitivity to hot or cold foods. You may experience pain while chewing at or around the site of the dead tooth.
When your tooth is dead, it can't fight off bacteria. This can put you at greater risk of infection, especially because your tooth's pulp reaches the root of the tooth. Symptoms of bacterial infection include bad taste, swelling, and bad breath.
When your tooth rots, it can fall out after a few weeks or months. When this happens, the first thing you should do is contact the experts at The Waterford Dentist. The dentist will schedule an appointment right away to examine the tooth. They will perform x-rays and scans to determine the extent of your infection.
Do you think you or someone you know may have a dead tooth? The first thing you and others close to you will notice is the smell. Similar to fruits and vegetables you bought and never ate, your tooth gets rotten and starts to release a foul smell.
Yes, you may not feel a toothache anymore, but this will be only for a while. A tooth which has a dead nerve inside of it will give you some discomfort, tenderness, or ache in the infected area. It is like having a severe frostbite on a toe. When this happens, the blood supply to the toe is cut off, and it dies.
The longer a dead or dying tooth is left without treatment, the more it will cause discomfort, pain, and deterioration of the jawbone around the tooth. Ultimately, these conditions will force you into seeking root canal therapy or tooth extraction.
A Dead Tooth Can Cause Pain
Nerve damage or pressure typically produces pain, as the nerves of the teeth can demonstrate all too vividly. An injury that exposes the pulp chamber, or an infection that causes pressure inside the pulp chamber to build up, can cause a severe toothache.
If, however, the tooth has been hit so hard as to damage the blood supply then the tooth may begin to go black if the nerve dies. If you have hit your tooth and there is bleeding around the gum margin, we recommend you visit an emergency dentist to have an assessment.
What is a “Dead Tooth?” When a single tooth changes to become grey in color, you may have a condition known as a necrotic pulp. The pulp is the collection of nerves and blood vessels residing within the hollow chamber of each tooth. It is this pulp tissue that “dies” and most often causes color changes.
Bacteria will eventually get to exposed soft tissues in the pulp chamber when the decay is left untreated. This leads to an infection, which leads to excruciating toothaches. A tooth infection can spread to areas like the brain where it can be life-threatening.
If it is a permanent tooth that falls out by accident, don't panic right away. As long as the root/s are still intact, the tooth can be replanted back to its socket. To ensure that the tooth is still viable for replantation, follow these tips: Contact your dentist right away and tell them what happened.
The tooth hurts a lot for 3-4 days, then this pain slowly subsides. This is the phase when the nerve of the tooth dies. You no longer notice the tooth after 3-4 days of the pain sensation because the nerve has now died.
When the nerve is severely inflamed by bacterial from deep cavities, a root canal removes the living portion of the tooth and does kill the nerve. This is only done when the tooth nerve is beyond healing and cannot repair itself. Severe pain and sensitivity to cold and hot can be indications the tooth cannot heal.