Good oral hygiene is about more than an attractive smile. It’s necessary for healthy teeth. A lack of hygiene can contribute to a variety of oral health issues, especially rotten teeth. When plaque builds, it can cause decay, which can eat away at the tooth. If a rotten tooth is left untreated, it can fall out, but it can also affect the teeth around it.
What Does It Mean To Have A Rotten Tooth?
A rotten tooth is also referred to as tooth decay. It occurs when an area of the tooth is permanently damaged. This is why it’s important to have regular dental checkups, as most people don’t realise they have a cavity. When a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to rotten teeth.
As for what causes the problem, there is more than one contributing factor. Rotten teeth generally come as a combination of poor dental hygiene, dietary issues, fluoride deficiency, and dry mouth. If you have grooves in your teeth, these dental crevices can make effective brushing difficult. This increases the risk of plaque settling into your teeth and can lead to rotting.
Dental sealant is an effective way to protect teeth against plaque, but it can only be applied to healthy teeth. In infants, the risk of tooth decay is heightened when they fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth. Or, if you dip their dummy in honey. Both of these instances can cause sugar to collect around teeth, leading to decay.
Signs You May Have A Rotten Tooth
One of the most obvious signs of a rotten tooth is a hole. However, if you find that your teeth are sensitive to cold or hot, you have bad breath, a toothache, or swelling, this can also suggest you have a rotten tooth. Likewise, spots often appear on rotten teeth. They can be white, black or brown.
If you have an unpleasant taste in your mouth, this can also be a sign that it’s time to see an emergency dentist. If there are visible pits or holes in your tooth or teeth and it hurts to bite down, you are likely dealing with advanced decay. In severe cases of rot, there may be pus and swelling around the affected tooth. At this stage, the pain is likely interfering with your ability to sleep and eat comfortably.
Rotten teeth can appear in people of all ages. In children, the symptoms are the same as described above. However, children are also often irritable and feverish, with swollen gums.
When To See Your Dentist
If the rot has resulted in a small cavity, the dentist can hopefully reverse the issue. In a more advanced rot, a filling is the most likely solution. And, in the cases of severe rot, you may need a root canal or extraction. In the case of extraction, your dentist can replace it with an implant, denture or bridge. You should make regular visits to your dental hygienist to maintain clean and healthy teeth. Likewise, it’s important to see your regular dentist on an annual basis. If you catch decay at its earliest stages, the outlook is positive. Not only will it be a cheaper fix, but it will be less invasive. Early intervention may save you from tooth loss or infection.
If you want to discuss the cost of dental implants, you are interested in dental veneers, or want to stay on top of your dental health, Aesthetic Dental & Denture Clinic can help. We provide a variety of treatments on Afterpay Dental, and as your local Camden Dentist, we can help you with wisdom teeth, teeth whitening, dentures, veneers, and beyond.
