How Long Can A Dead Tooth Stay In Your Mouth?

Answer The Question

What happens if a dead tooth is not removed

Identifying and Treating a Dead Tooth Overview Teeth are made up of a combination of hard and soft tissue. You may not think of teeth as living, but healthy teeth are alive. When the nerves in the pulp of the tooth, which is the inner layer, become damaged, such as by injury or decay, they can stop providing blood to the tooth.

• That can cause an infection and cause the nerve to die.
• This is also sometimes known as a non-vital tooth.
• Read on to learn how to identify a dead tooth and what you should do if you see signs that your tooth is injured.
• What are the signs of a dead tooth? A dead tooth is a tooth that’s no longer receiving a fresh supply of blood.

For many people, discoloration may be one of the first signs of a dying tooth. You may also experience pain in the tooth or gums. Healthy teeth are usually a shade of white, though the color can vary depending on your diet and oral hygiene. For example, if you regularly consume foods that are staining, like coffee, blueberries, or red wine, or smoke, your smile may appear off-white or light yellow.

• This discoloration will likely be uniform, however.
• If you have a tooth that’s discolored because it’s dying, it will be a different color than the rest of your teeth.
• A dying tooth may appear yellow, light brown, gray, or even black.
• It may look almost as if the tooth is bruised.
• The discoloration will increase over time as the tooth continues to decay and the nerve dies.

Pain is another possible symptom. Some people don’t feel any pain. Others feel mild pain, and still other people will feel intense pain. The pain is often caused by the dying nerve. It can also be caused by infection. Other signs of infection may include: bad breath bad taste in your mouth

• swelling around your gum line
• If you experience any symptoms of a dying tooth, it’s important to see your dentist right away.
• What causes a tooth to die?

Trauma or injury to your tooth is one possible cause for a tooth to die. For example, getting hit in the mouth with a soccer ball or tripping and hitting your mouth against something can cause your tooth to die. A tooth may die quickly, in a matter of days, or slowly, over several months or years.

A tooth can also die as the result of poor dental hygiene. That can lead to cavities, which when left untreated can slowly destroy your tooth. Cavities begin on the enamel, which is the outer protective layer of your tooth. Left untreated, they can slowly eat away at the enamel and eventually reach the pulp.

That causes the pulp to become infected, which cuts off blood to the pulp and, eventually, causes it to die. You’ll likely experience intense pain once the decay has reached the pulp. Diagnosis A dying tooth may be identified during a routine dental appointment that includes X-rays.

• It may also be identified if you see your dentist because of pain or concerns over discoloration.
• You should always see your dentist following any tooth injury, or if you have any signs of a dying tooth.
• That way your dentist can begin treatment as soon as possible.
• Treatment It’s important to treat a dying or dead tooth as soon as possible.

That’s because left untreated, the bacteria from the dead tooth can spread and lead to the loss of additional teeth. It could also affect your jawbone and gums. Your dentist may treat a dead or dying tooth with a procedure known as a root canal. Alternatively, they may remove the entire tooth.

• Root canal With a root canal, you may be able to keep your tooth intact.
• During the procedure, the dentist makes an opening into the tooth and then uses small instruments to remove the pulp and clean out the infection.
• Once all of the infection has been removed, your dentist will fill and seal the roots and place a permanent filling in the small opening.

In many cases, you may need to have a crown following a root canal. This may be a good option if the enamel was damaged or if the tooth had a large filling. With time, a tooth that had a root canal can become brittle. That’s why crowns are usually recommended for posterior teeth (due to grinding and chewing).

1. A crown is a covering that’s specifically molded to your tooth.
2. Your dentist will file away part of your existing tooth and then permanently fit the crown over the tooth.
3. A crown can be made to match the color of your surrounding teeth so that it’s not noticeable.
4. If your doctor determines that you don’t need a crown, you may be able to use tooth bleaching to treat any discoloration to the affected tooth.

This is usually seen on anterior teeth only. Alternatively, your dentist may recommend covering the tooth with a porcelain veneer. Talk to your doctor about the different aesthetic treatments available. Removal or extraction If your tooth is severely damaged and unable to be restored, your dentist may recommend completely removing the dead tooth.

1. Will I need to do anything different to take care of the replacement tooth?
3. Pain management

If your tooth is causing lot of pain, there are somethings you can do at home while you wait for treatment: Avoid hot beverages. They can increase inflammation, which can make your pain worse. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

How long does it take for dead teeth to fall out?

Depending on the type and extent of the damage, it may be days, weeks, months, and sometimes even years before the tooth falls out.

How long can a dead tooth go untreated?

A dead tooth can stay in your mouth for up to several days or months ; however, keeping a dead tooth may lead to problems with your jaw and also result in the spreading of decay and bacteria to other teeth. Most dentists will recommend having the dead tooth extracted and replaced with a denture, bridge, or implant.

Will dead tooth eventually fall out?

Will a dead tooth fall out on its own? – If you suffer with a dead tooth, you may experience pain and discomfort, especially if an infection has set in. The tooth itself will also become discoloured and will turn a dark grey/blue colour. Naturally, you’ll want the tooth out, so does that mean that you should wait for your dentist to remove it, or can a dead tooth fall out on its own? If the tooth in question suffers from a dead nerve, the technical term for this is a ‘pulpless tooth’ or ‘necrotic pulp’.

Will a rotten tooth eventually fall out?

What Does Rotten Tooth Treatment Involve? – Your dentist will be the first to detect signs of a rotten tooth. They will provide appropriate treatment based on the stage of tooth decay. However, if you do not attend regular dental check-ups, you may not realize that your tooth is rotten.

It will fall out on its own after all its connecting tissues die or become damaged. However, you should not wait for a tooth to fall out. An untreated rotten tooth can lead to severe complications. For example, it can cause periodontitis and tooth abscesses. Both infections are challenging and require top-rated endodontics near you,

They can spread into the bloodstream leading to organ failure, tissue damage, or death. When you visit the dentist to treat a rotten tooth, they will provide various options. The dentist will restore the tooth with dental fillings if the tooth has a few cavities.

1. These strengthen the tooth and prevent further decay or damage.
2. In addition, the dentist may However, if you have a large cavity that reaches the tooth pulp, the dentist will recommend root canal therapy.
3. The treatment involves cleaning out dead or damaged tissues inside the tooth.
4. Your dentist will also eliminate all bacteria and infections.

Finally, they will use an onlay or crown to restore the tooth’s function and appearance. If the tooth cannot be saved with either treatment, the dentist will extract it. The dental extraction procedure is pain-free and straightforward. After extraction, the dentist will restore your tooth with dentures, bridges, or implants.

What does a dead tooth feel like?

What Are the Four Signs of a Possible Dead Tooth? –

Discoloration – One of the most common indicators of a dead tooth is a change in color from the surrounding teeth. As the blood supply is disrupted and the tooth begins to die, that tooth may become gray in color, although we’ve witnessed some dead teeth in shades of yellow, brown or even black, if left unchecked for too long.

Foul Odor – As is often the case with something that is decaying and dying, a foul odor may be associated. When it comes to a dead tooth, you may notice bad breath and possibly a bad taste in your mouth.

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.

Swelling or an Abscess – It’s not unusual for an infection to accompany a dying tooth. That infection might include swelling in the gumline around the tooth or an abscess – small pocket of pus – beneath the surface of the gums.

What happens if I don’t get a root canal on a dead tooth

If you’ve ever experienced tooth pain, you’ll agree that the pain caused can be almost as bad as any other physical condition. But why is this? How can something as small as a tooth cause so much pain? And perhaps more importantly, how can it be prevented or treated? The structure and function of a tooth is well known to dentists, and especially endodontists who specialize in this area.

• Each individual tooth has divisions called root canals
• An individual tooth can have between one and four root canals
• The result of dead or dying dental pulp is pain

But, what exactly causes this pain? A tooth has a thin but strong outer layer called enamel. There is only a very small opening into the supporting jawbone is present, deep within the bone. So, when a tooth’s dental pulp is diseased, dying, or dead, the flow of blood increases – but there is nowhere for the pressure to be released except into the supporting jawbone.

1. This causes the pain usually associated with toothache.
2. Occasionally, the infection inside the tooth can spread into the jawbone and come out into the soft tissue of the gums.
3. This usually takes the form of pimple-like projection commonly referred to as a ‘gum boil’.
4. There are many causes of dead or dying teeth, and many ways they can be treated.

Let’s take a closer look at these: What you feel or see Conditions, signs or symptoms related to endodontics

Pressure causes pain

You experience pain when chewing with the affected tooth, or when pushing on it or tapping it with an object. Sometimes there are periods when there is no pain at all, and antibiotic therapy will usually reduce or eliminate the pain for a short while. Tooth pain when pressure is applied can indicate:

• A dead or dying tooth
• A cracked tooth, or
• A tooth that has had recent heavy chewing, or ‘bruxing’ on it

If your dentist finds your tooth is dead or dying, you will usually have two options:

1. Root canal therapy
2. Tooth extraction

Heat causes pain

If hot foods or beverages cause significant pain in a certain tooth, it normally indicates that the tooth is dead or dying. In this case, you usually have two options:

1. Root canal therapy
2. Extraction of the tooth

Red, pimple-like projection on the gums

If you have one or more red, pimple-like projections on the tongue side or cheek side of your gums near an affected tooth, this usually indicates the tooth is dead and the infection has broken out though the bone. When this happens, it usually creates a fistula, or canal, through end of the tooth root though the gums.

• Endodontic (root canal) therapy alone
• Root canal therapy and an apicoectomy (root tip amputation and root tip filling) if the defect is large
• Hemisection (amputation of one or more roots) if the disease is persistent and involves just one of a multi-rooted tooth
• Extraction of the tooth

Tooth with a previously treated root canal has pain or a pimple-like projection

The good news is that 95% of root canal therapies are completely successful. However, the remaining 5% can be problematic and cause pain or other complications. After discussing these issues with your dentist, you will usually be presented with several alternatives:

• Redo the root canal therapy
• Apicoectomy (root amputation and filling of the root-tip)
• Hemisection (amputation of one or more roots)
• Extraction of the tooth

Tooth with a previously treated root canal has darkened in color

It is not unusual for small amounts of blood or other debris to be inadvertently during a root canal therapy. Although this is not harmful, the pigments from the blood or debris can cause the tooth to become dark, which is undesirable for most people. Several options are available for patients whose teeth have darkened after root canal therapy:

• The tooth can be bleached by a dentist to restore the color
• A crown (cap) can be placed on the tooth to match the color of the healthy teeth
• The affected tooth can be left as it is (but most people do not want a darkened tooth)
• The tooth can be extracted and replaced with a replacement tooth, such as a dental implant

What Your Dentist or Endodontist Can Do Treatments available for dead or dying teeth

Root canal therapy

If a tooth’s pulp (nerve) is diseased, traumatized, or dead, it must be removed to save the tooth, and then replaced with a root canal filling. The materials used for filling range from the most popular, rubber-like gutta-percha, to sterling silver and other metals, plastic, and various cements.

A root canal procedure, which usually requires one or two appointments, is typically not painful but patients may experience some discomfort during treatment and healing. In most cases, the procedure is not complete once the root canal has been completed because the tooth is now much weaker. To treat this, a strong, reinforcing post is placed into the tooth.

Sometimes a tooth may still be too weak or unpleasant looking, so a crown (cap) is needed to make the tooth both functional and more pleasant-looking. The minimum therapy to remedy a dead or dying tooth is a root canal only. However, if parts of the tooth are missing due to decay (caries) or from an old filling, then the most accepted form of therapy is:

1. A root canal
2. A post, and
3. A crown (cap)

Advantages of root canal therapy

The biggest benefit is that the affected tooth remains in your mouth, pain free. The cost of root canal therapy can be significant, but the cost of replacing the tooth is typically much higher.

Disadvantages of root canal therapy

This type of procedure is time consuming, often requiring multiple appointments. The root canal procedure itself usually consists of one or two appointments, with one or two additional appointments needed to restore the affected tooth with a crown (cap). The time and costs involved is usually significant, but almost always well worth it.

Risks of root canal therapy

Although root canal therapy is a low-risk procedure, the risks that do exist are:

• The tooth may have more divisions of the root canals than the dentist expected, which they may inadvertently miss during the procedure. This results in a failure of the root canal therapy, continued pain, and the need for further treatment
• Occasionally, the fragile tools and instruments used for the procedure can break, resulting in complications in successfully completing the therapy.
• Around 5% of root canal treatments fail for no specific, observable reason, and subsequently require either retreatment or extraction of the affected tooth.

Alternatives to root canal therapy

Unfortunately, there are not many alternatives currently available. You may choose to have the tooth extracted, or postpone treatment if the pain is infrequent or not present. It’s important to know that the tooth will not heal by itself, and that root canal therapy is almost always the best choice.

Cost of various alternatives to root canal therapy

The cost of root canals varies significantly around the world. The cost of a root canal therapy for a single-rooted tooth is much higher than having the tooth extracted, and the cost of therapy for a multi-rooted tooth is higher than that of a single-rooted tooth.

Result of non-treatment of a dead tooth

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.

Apicoectomy

There are times when a radiograph (X-ray) shows so much disease on the tooth root that an apicoectomy (amputation of the tooth root) is required. This involves making a small incision in the soft tissue of the gums close to the root end of the affected tooth.

Advantages of apicoectomy

Removing the diseased tissue is a relatively quick, easy, and thorough procedure, and the health status of the affected tooth can be immediately determined. Healing is typically a fast and uneventful process, and the tooth can remain in your mouth and function as normal.

Disadvantages of apicoectomy

There is a certain amount of discomfort involved during the healing process, and the cost of an apicoectomy can be significant.

Risks of apicoectomy

The risks involved during an apicoectomy can vary greatly depending on the location of the tooth. Upper and lower front teeth are typically risk-free, whereas the back teeth (molars and premolars) can be much more difficult and present a higher amount of risk. The occasional possible risks are as follows:

• Inadvertent contact with a nerve, causing a slight or total numbness of the area
• Surgical contact with the sinus cavities in the upper jaw, potentially increasing the chances of sinus infection
• Injuring or nicking teeth close to the affected tooth

You should talk with your dentist about the possible risks before undergoing an apicoectomy.

Alternatives to apicoectomy

You will not have many alternative if the need for an apicoectomy is indicated. Typically, the alternative options are:

• Have the tooth extracted
• Redo the root canal therapy
• Wait a few week or months to see if the affected tooth responds positively without any treatment

Cost of apicoectomy

As an apicoectomy is a relatively difficult procedure, the cost will generally be in the same price range as the original root canal therapy.

Result of non-treatment

If an apicoectomy is needed but not performed, the infection will spread and cause the surrounding bone to deteriorate. However, in a very small number of cases, the infection does not worsen. Bleaching Discolored Root Canal-Treated Teeth As strange as it might sound, gray, brown, blue, orange, green and other colors are known to appear in teeth months to years after a root canal therapy has been completed.

Advantages of tooth bleaching

Bleaching a discolored tooth is the most conservative and least expensive solution.

Disadvantages of tooth bleaching

The discoloration may reappear over a period of years, but it can simply be bleached again.

Risks of tooth bleaching

There are no risks to bleaching a root canal-treated tooth, but occasionally the affected tooth root degenerates, resulting in the loss of the tooth.

Alternatives to tooth bleaching

The quickest and easiest alternative to bleaching a discolored tooth is placing a crown (cap) on the tooth. Crowns can be made to match the color of the surrounding teeth and generally last a long time. Another alternative – if the affected tooth is causing chronic, occasional pain or discomfort – is to extract the tooth.

Cost of tooth bleaching

In comparison to other alternatives, tooth bleaching is a relatively low-cost solution. For example, a crown (cap) costs more than tooth bleaching, and an extraction is more costly than a crown.

Result of not bleaching a discolored tooth

The only consequence of not bleaching a discolored tooth is that the tooth remains unsightly in appearance. Other Less Frequently Encountered Endodontic Treatment There are occasions where an affected multi-rooted tooth can have one or more diseased roots while one or more roots remain healthy.

In this case, the diseased roots can be removed, leaving the remaining healthy portions of the tooth intact. This is a technique called a hemisection, and is usually called upon as a last attempt to save an otherwise healthy tooth, and is usually successful. However, this procedure usually comes with a high cost, and results can be unpredictable.

The main goal of all aspects of endodontics is to ensure a patient keeps their natural teeth. The cost of its related procedures is usually quite high, but the results are usually much more desirable than the alternatives, such as tooth-replacement procedures.

Does dead tooth hurt all the time

As hard and inactive your teeth may seem to you, these structures actually consist of four different tissues, including a vital central chamber of nerve-rich pulp and blood vessels. When these inner tissues sustain enough damage, they can die. A dead tooth can create some unpleasant problems if it goes untreated.

Fortunately, you can pursue the right course of action for a dead tooth once you know why this problem occurs, recognize the telltale signs of the condition, and understand your treatment options. Keep these four important points about dead teeth in mind.1. Teeth Die for Two Main Reasons Teeth die when they lose their blood supply.

However, this loss of blood supply may occur for a couple of primary reasons. One largely preventable reason involves tooth decay. When acids eat their way through the enamel, the resulting infection puts pressure on the pulp, cutting off blood flow in the pulp chamber.

• You can often avoid this problem simply by brushing and flossing properly.
• These simple self-care routines help keep acid-producing bacteria away from teeth, reducing your risk for cavities.
• Regular dental exams can catch any cavities that form in time for early treatment, while dental cleanings remove tough tartar that feeds bacteria.

An acute injury to the tooth can also cause a fatal loss of blood supply. A blow to the face, for instance, can sever or rupture the blood vessels leading from the jawbone to the tooth, allowing the soft tissues in the tooth to die.2. A Dead Tooth May Look (and Smell) Abnormal When the blood supply to a tooth gets cut off, the red blood cells left within the tooth will die.

• This change causes a discoloration effect similar to the bruising that sometimes occurs in the body’s other soft tissues.
• The tooth may take on a gray, yellow, or possibly even black color.
• The tissues around a dead tooth may change appearance as well.
• If an infection has destroyed the tooth’s pulp, that infection can spread to the gum and jaw tissues around the base of the tooth.

You may see swelling around the gum line, along with a bump that looks like a pimple (which means that an abscess has developed). The same bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum infection can also cause halitosis, which is bad breath. If you suddenly experience foul breath in addition to any of the other symptoms noted above, you may need treatment for a seriously decayed or dead tooth.3.

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. Let this pain serve as a possible warning sign of a dying tooth.

Don’t assume that a diseased or damaged tooth still lives simply because it gives you pain. In reality, a tooth can continue to hurt long after it has died. The pressure on the nerve tissue within the pulp chamber may continue to refer pain signals into the jaw, while related infection in the surrounding gum tissue can also cause pain.4.

Your Dentist Can Preserve or Replace a Dead Tooth Fortunately, dentists can often preserve a tooth’s functionality even after it has died. The most common strategy for preserving a dead tooth involves root canal therapy. Your dentist will open the tooth, remove the dead tissue within, and sterilize and refill the hollowed-out pulp chamber.

You’ll probably need a permanent crown as well. If your dentist cannot keep the tooth functional, you will have the tooth extracted to protect your gums, jawbone, and other teeth from bacterial infiltration and decay. You can then have the extracted tooth replaced with a permanent implant or bridge.

Can a dead tooth make you ill?

If a cavity is not drilled and filled in an early stage, bacteria can enter the pulp of the tooth, leading to infection and pain. This abscess, or collection of pus, can spread into the bone, making your whole body ill. Symptoms of decay include tooth sensitivity, pain when you bite or chew and dark spots on teeth.

Can a dead tooth make you sick?

Poisoning in the bloodstream Although not an immediate consequence, dentists strongly advise that letting rotten teeth go unattended can lead to blood poisoning. This happens because the rot from the teeth keeps getting deposited into the mouth, and in most cases, it’s swallowed along with saliva.

Is it too late to save a rotting tooth?

Dentists will always try to save a tooth when it’s possible, but teeth that are too badly damaged may need to be removed to maintain your oral health.3 minute read If you notice a problem with any of your teeth, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

• Dental injury resulting in a cracked or fractured tooth or root
• Severe tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Severe or recurring infection
• Wisdom tooth problems
• As part of a larger treatment plan

Should I brush rotten teeth

Treatment for rotten teeth aims to limit further decay. When a tooth is badly decayed, the dentist may extract it and replace it with an implant. Although there is no absolute cure to fix rotten teeth, there are treatment options available to limit further decay.

A well-balanced diet with vitamins and minerals is important to heal rotting teeth. Several studies also recommend limiting sugars and starch in your diet, especially if you have tooth or gum problems, Doctors recommend that diet must have adequate vitamins A, D, E and K as part of nutrition to help heal the tooth. Hydrating is also important since a dry mouth allows plaque retention in the mouth. Several studies also recommend limiting phytic acid in the diet. Phytic acid or phytate is known for its ability to reduce the absorption of several nutrients in the body. It is usually recommended to increase the intake of mineral-rich meats and vegetables, bone broth and healthy fats, Diet rich in gelatin and magnesium may also help heal rotten teeth. Fish oil, olive oil and seafood are high in fat-soluble vitamins, so it is good to include these in your diet during tooth healing.

Maintain oral hygiene

Brush your teeth two times a day and floss your teeth at least once a day. The mindful practice of oral hygiene every day may maintain good oral health and help prevent further decay. Consistently flossing your teeth, brushing tiny circular motions and rinsing with a quality mouth rinse help remove unwanted food and bacteria from the teeth and gums.

The best treatment for a rotten tooth depends on the time of diagnosis or if a cavity has formed. Doctors usually recommend brushing with fluoride toothpaste or getting fluoride treatments during the early stages. Visiting your doctor or dentist frequently (at least every three months) may help diagnose the rotten tooth early. If the decay has eroded through the enamel, the doctor may recommend:

Filling the cavity: The doctor may remove the decay and use the material to fill the defect and restore the original shape of the tooth. Putting a crown on the tooth: In case of severe decay or if your tooth is damaged, a crown or cap is usually recommended, which is a manmade replacement for the visible part of the tooth above the gum line. Using a bridge or an implant: After the root canal therapy, if the root canal gets infected, the doctor may extract the tooth and replace it with a bridge or implant.

What happens if I leave rotten teeth in my mouth?

What Happens If You Leave Rotten Teeth In Your Mouth? Leaving rotten teeth in your mouth will cause severe toothache and intense pain. Also, leaving a rotten tooth in the mouth has been said to cause blood poisoning. This occurs when the rot of the teeth is deposited in the mouth and swallowed with saliva.

Are dead teeth easy to remove

Extraction. Extracting or removing a tooth that has died is a relatively simple relatively painless form of treatment. You should expect to receive either local or general anesthesia for the procedure, depending on your preference or the recommendation of your dentist.

What happens if you leave rotten teeth in your mouth?

Although not an immediate consequence, dentists strongly advise that letting rotten teeth go unattended can lead to blood poisoning. This happens because the rot from the teeth keeps getting deposited into the mouth, and in most cases, it’s swallowed along with saliva.

Is a dead tooth painful?

As hard and inactive your teeth may seem to you, these structures actually consist of four different tissues, including a vital central chamber of nerve-rich pulp and blood vessels. When these inner tissues sustain enough damage, they can die. A dead tooth can create some unpleasant problems if it goes untreated.

• Fortunately, you can pursue the right course of action for a dead tooth once you know why this problem occurs, recognize the telltale signs of the condition, and understand your treatment options.
• Eep these four important points about dead teeth in mind.1.
• Teeth Die for Two Main Reasons Teeth die when they lose their blood supply.

However, this loss of blood supply may occur for a couple of primary reasons. One largely preventable reason involves tooth decay. When acids eat their way through the enamel, the resulting infection puts pressure on the pulp, cutting off blood flow in the pulp chamber.

You can often avoid this problem simply by brushing and flossing properly. These simple self-care routines help keep acid-producing bacteria away from teeth, reducing your risk for cavities. Regular dental exams can catch any cavities that form in time for early treatment, while dental cleanings remove tough tartar that feeds bacteria.

An acute injury to the tooth can also cause a fatal loss of blood supply. A blow to the face, for instance, can sever or rupture the blood vessels leading from the jawbone to the tooth, allowing the soft tissues in the tooth to die.2. A Dead Tooth May Look (and Smell) Abnormal When the blood supply to a tooth gets cut off, the red blood cells left within the tooth will die.

1. This change causes a discoloration effect similar to the bruising that sometimes occurs in the body’s other soft tissues.
2. The tooth may take on a gray, yellow, or possibly even black color.
3. The tissues around a dead tooth may change appearance as well.
4. If an infection has destroyed the tooth’s pulp, that infection can spread to the gum and jaw tissues around the base of the tooth.

You may see swelling around the gum line, along with a bump that looks like a pimple (which means that an abscess has developed). The same bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum infection can also cause halitosis, which is bad breath. If you suddenly experience foul breath in addition to any of the other symptoms noted above, you may need treatment for a seriously decayed or dead tooth.3.

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. Let this pain serve as a possible warning sign of a dying tooth.

Don’t assume that a diseased or damaged tooth still lives simply because it gives you pain. In reality, a tooth can continue to hurt long after it has died. The pressure on the nerve tissue within the pulp chamber may continue to refer pain signals into the jaw, while related infection in the surrounding gum tissue can also cause pain.4.

Your Dentist Can Preserve or Replace a Dead Tooth Fortunately, dentists can often preserve a tooth’s functionality even after it has died. The most common strategy for preserving a dead tooth involves root canal therapy. Your dentist will open the tooth, remove the dead tissue within, and sterilize and refill the hollowed-out pulp chamber.

You’ll probably need a permanent crown as well. If your dentist cannot keep the tooth functional, you will have the tooth extracted to protect your gums, jawbone, and other teeth from bacterial infiltration and decay. You can then have the extracted tooth replaced with a permanent implant or bridge.