15 Jan How Do You Know If You Have A Rotten Tooth?
Keeping your teeth clean is an important part of maintaining a healthy body and a beautiful smile. A build-up of debris, bacteria, and plaque can lead to ongoing, long-term issues that may interfere with your daily activities. This can include pain, inflammation, breaks, decay, discolouration, and even the removal of teeth.
Preventing weakened, unhealthy teeth is a matter of taking simple steps on a regular basis and seeking advice and treatment for any issues and concerns. Without maintaining good oral hygiene, your teeth can be damaged due to factors such as the acid in food, which can lead to holes and rotten teeth.
At Boroondara Family Dentist, our qualified and experienced dentists can provide guidance on how to prevent decaying and rotten teeth and can perform treatment when necessary.
What Is A Rotten Tooth?
A rotten tooth is one that is weak and decayed, and holes, known as cavities, have developed. This can be painful and unsightly and can lead to serious problems if left untreated, such as gum issues and infection around the bone.
What Causes A Tooth To Rot?
When bacteria, plaque, and acid are given free rein in your mouth, the tooth enamel can begin to soften and dissolve. This then leaves the tooth vulnerable to bacteria, which can interfere with the pulp inside. Foods and drinks that contain high levels of sugar or starch can encourage this process as bacteria reacts and develops. Not regularly cleaning and rinsing your teeth also increases your chance of tooth decay because debris and acid are left to stick to the plaque.
How Do I Know If My Tooth Is Rotten?
Tooth decay is a gradual process, which may start out as teeth that look and feel unclean, discoloured, or furry. When a tooth begins to rot, symptoms such as the following can develop:
- White spots on the tooth.
- Sensitivity, especially when consuming sugary, cold, or hot foods and drinks.
Pain. - Holes or lesions on the tooth that may become dark in colour.
- Food regularly getting stuck between particular teeth.
- Discolouration between teeth. This can be hard to see and is often only detected by dentists before it becomes severe.
- Bad breath.
- Swelling and inflammation of the gum near the tooth.
- Pus.
- Breaks and looseness.
How Do I Prevent Rotten Teeth?
Our teeth need frequent care to maintain good health and prevent issues. This can include:
- Brushing at least twice a day.
- Flossing once a day.
- Using a mouthwash.
- Having a healthy diet. This involves factors such as consuming less sugar and having foods and drinks that will strengthen your teeth, such as calcium-rich dairy and tofu, and staying hydrated.
- Regular dental check-ups. We recommend visiting one of our experienced dentists every six months.
- Seeking dental assistance when you become concerned about an issue that has developed.
How Do I Treat Rotten Teeth?
If a tooth has become rotten, it is important that you seek help. If an infection develops, it can have serious consequences. Depending on the state of your tooth, treatment may include:
- An x-ray to investigate the extent of decay or infection.
- Filling the cavity. This can be undertaken if the tooth pulp remains unaffected.
- A root canal procedure. Our dentist can work to clear the infection from the inside of the tooth. They may insert a specific material inside.
- Placing a crown on the tooth can also be performed if the structure of the tooth has been significantly weakened.
- Extraction. When these options would be inadequate due to severe decay and infection, removing the tooth may be the required solution. We can then use an implant, a dental bridge, or dentures to fill the space.
Regular Dental Care Can Assist And Prevent Rotten Teeth
Maintaining adequate oral hygiene is paramount for keeping your teeth and gums healthy, which can extend to having good overall health and wellbeing. This includes a daily routine of cleaning your teeth, an adequate and healthy diet, and regular visits to our dentists for preventative dental care.
If you have any concerns, please contact our friendly and experienced team at Boroondara Family Dentist as soon as possible for advice and treatment. Decaying and rotten teeth can be a serious matter, so taking steps to treat the issue early can make a significant difference.
Boroondara Family Dentist, based in Balwyn North, proudly serves Balwyn and neighbouring suburbs including Ivanhoe, Kew East, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills, and Templestowe Lower. Book your appointment with us today for exceptional dental care in your area.
