Rotten tooth refers to a damaged area on the tooth’s surface. It can be mere or severe. If you have symptoms or feel inconvenient about your teeth, it is important you see a dentist. A dentist is always in the right position to advice on what you should do to save your teeth from total damage.
Worthy of note, good oral health contributes to a healthy smile, teeth, and gums. On the other hand, poor dental hygiene can put you at risk for tooth decay, also known as a cavity or a rotten tooth.
Decay is usually caused by plaque which is a sticky, colorless film that forms over the teeth. Plaque is said to contain bacteria, and when these bacteria mix with sugar in foods, it creates an acid that eats away at the tooth. If left untreated, a severely decayed tooth can become loose and fall out, so it’s important to recognize the causes and symptoms of a rotten tooth.
Things you should do to save yourself:
Rotten teeth are really painful and they are even embarrassing if they’re at the front of your mouth. Fixing the problem might not be as difficult or expensive as you think.
Below are things you should take:
A. Stop eating sugar or sugary food
B. Vitamin D: Vitamin D is important to help absorb calcium and phosphate from the food you eat.
C. Brush with fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride plays an important role in preventing cavities and remineralizing enamel.
Things the dentist can do:
Rotten teeth can quickly progress to an infection, which can turn dangerous. Below are things the dentist would recommend or do:
A. Fillings: This is also called restorations, are the main treatment option when decay has progressed beyond the earliest stage. Fillings are made of various materials, such as tooth-colored composite resins, porcelain or dental amalgam that is a combination of several materials.
B. Fluoride treatments: If a cavity just starts, a fluoride treatment will help restore your tooth’s enamel and can sometimes reverse a cavity in the very early stages. Professional fluoride treatments contain more fluoride than the amount found in tap water, toothpaste and mouth rinses. Fluoride treatments may be liquid, gel, foam or varnish that’s brushed onto your teeth or placed in a small tray that fits over your teeth.
C. Tooth extractions: Some teeth become so severely decayed that they can’t be restored and must be removed. Having a tooth pulled can leave a gap that allows your other teeth to shift. If possible, consider getting a bridge or a dental implant to replace the missing tooth.
D. Root canals: When decay reaches the inner material of your tooth (pulp), you may need a root canal. This is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. The diseased tooth pulp is removed. Medication is sometimes put into the root canal to clear any infection. Then the pulp is replaced with a filling.
E. Crowns: For extensive decay or weakened teeth, you may need a crown; a custom-fitted covering that replaces your tooth’s entire natural crown. Your dentist drills away all the decayed area and enough of the rest of your tooth to ensure a good fit. Crowns may be made of gold, high strength porcelain, resin, porcelain fused to metal or other materials.
If you have a problem with your tooth, don’t waste time, see a dentist.
