A dead tooth is a serious dental concern that deserves immediate care. However, the concept of a dead tooth killing you isn’t entirely true. It cannot directly kill you, but an untreated dead tooth may lead to serious complications. This is because a tooth becomes a storehouse of necrotic tissue when it loses its essential blood supply and nerve function, which makes it an ideal environment for the growth of germs.
What is a Dead Tooth?
When a tooth’s pulp, the soft tissue in the middle of the tooth, no longer has a live nerve or blood supply, it is said to be dead and non-vital. The tooth, therefore, dies. Consider a healthy tooth as a living thing with blood vessels that provide nutrients and nerves that carry sensations like heat and cold. When a tooth “dies,” this internal mechanism stops working.
What Causes a Tooth to Die?
Here are a few reasons why a tooth may die:
Tooth Decay
Cavities, or dental decay, can spread far into the tooth and potentially reach the pulp if left untreated. The pulp may get infected with bacteria from the decay, leading to pulpitis, an inflammation. Severe and protracted inflammation can harm neurons and blood vessels, resulting in pulp death.
Physical Trauma
An abrupt blow to the mouth, such as a fall, sports injury, or accident, can harm the blood vessels inside the tooth. This can disrupt the blood supply to the pulp, causing it to die.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause excessive pressure on teeth over time, which may harm internal blood vessels and tissues.
Broken Tooth
Over time, germs can enter the pulp through even a little break in the enamel, causing inflammation and ultimately the loss of the tooth’s internal tissues.
Treatment Options for a Dead Tooth
Your dentist may recommend the following treatment options for a dead tooth:
Root Canal
It is one of the most popular options to save a dead tooth. It cleanses the tooth’s inside and removes any dead pulp. Additionally, your dentist puts a crown in place to protect the compromised tooth. In addition to relieving any discomfort caused by the infection around the dead tooth, root canal therapy preserves the natural tooth root, which helps to keep the jawbone strong.
Tooth Extraction
Removal may be required if a tooth is too severely decayed or fractured for a successful restoration or when there is a serious infection that cannot be treated with root canal therapy.
Final Say!
A dead tooth may not disturb you now, but its future consequences are quite worse. So, if you have a dead tooth, consult your dentist about the treatment as soon as possible. They may recommend a root canal or tooth extraction depending on the condition of your teeth.
If you have further concerns, consult our dentists at Smile 360 Family Dentistry. Call us at (909) 980-4878 to book your appointment.