Did you know your teeth are actually living things? It’s true..
A tooth comprises three layers: the outer enamel, dentin, and the pulp. The pulp comprises a network of blood vessels and other tissues. When this pulp becomes damaged or infected, the tooth can die, losing its blood supply and vitality.
A dead tooth can remain in your mouth for some time. But how long? And, is it really safe? Let’s find out.
Main Causes of a Dead Tooth
A tooth can die for two main reasons: infection or injury. Let’s explain each in detail:
1. Tooth infection
Bacteria in your mouth can cause cavities if you don’t brush and floss well. If a cavity becomes deep enough, it can reach the center of the tooth, known as the pulp, and cause an infection.
Bacteria can also get in through a cracked tooth or an old filling. If gum disease spreads to the root of the tooth, it can cause the tooth to die eventually.
2. Tooth injury
A tooth can also be injured from an accident or while playing sports. If the tooth is hit hard, it can damage the blood supply inside. Depending on the severity of the injury, the tooth may die quickly or slowly, over a period of days, months, or even years.
Signs Indicating a Dead Tooth
It’s not always easy to tell if a tooth is dead, but here are some common signs to look out for:
- Tooth appears yellow, gray, or black
- Mild to severe pain that comes and goes
- Swelling or bad taste
- Bad breath
- Loose tooth
How Long Can a Dead Tooth Be in Your Mouth
A dead tooth can stay for days, weeks, months, or even years in your mouth. The exact time can depend on the nature of the damage and how soon you seek treatment. However, keeping a dead tooth in the mouth for longer comes with risks.
Dangers of a Dead Tooth In the Mouth
A dead tooth in your mouth can cause serious problems, such as:
- Bacteria can enter the tooth and cause a buildup of pus, also called an abscess. This can lead to swelling and pain. Infection might spread to other parts of your body.
- At first, a dead tooth might not hurt. But over time, it can become very painful, especially if it gets infected.
- A dead tooth may turn dark, which can affect the appearance of your smile.
- A dead tooth is more likely to crack or break, which can harm nearby teeth, too.
- Infection can damage the bone and gums surrounding the tooth, causing more complications over time.
Treating a Dead Tooth
A dead tooth cannot heal on its own. However, dental treatments such as root canals or extractions, followed by dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or implants, can address this issue. Visit your dentist to gain valuable insights on what will work best for your specific case.
Overall Insight
A dead tooth can stay in your mouth for as long as you want it to. However, it can pose serious oral health risks such as abscess, infection, jaw issues, and persistent pain. Not only that, a dead tooth can also affect your confidence due to discoloration.
If you are seeking treatment for a dead tooth in your mouth, visit our dental specialists at Next Care Dental Houston. Call us at (713) 952-0522 to book an appointment.
