Table of Contents

• How Does a Tooth Die? 
• Signs You Have a Dead Tooth
• What Should You Do If You Have a Dead Tooth? 
• How to Prevent Dying Teeth
• Treating Dead Teeth in Arden, NC 

Even if you do everything in your power to keep your teeth in great health, it can be difficult to avoid accidents. While many accidents don’t result in more than a temporarily sore tooth, some can significantly compromise its health. In the most extreme cases, accidents, injuries, and decay can lead to a dead tooth.

However, dead teeth might not be as easy to identify as you might believe. Some patients may go years with a dead tooth in their mouth without experiencing any symptoms. While this tooth may not cause discomfort, it is essential to recognize the signs that indicate you’re dealing with it so it can be addressed promptly by a dental professional.

If you believe you may be dealing with a dead tooth, keep reading to learn more about how this happens, the signs your tooth has died, and how a dentist will treat it. 

How Does a Tooth Die? 

The first step in determining whether you’re dealing with a dead tooth is understanding how a tooth dies. Tooth death results from the tissue within the tooth dying, leading to the loss of the accompanying blood supply and nerve function. There are a few ways that your tooth may die, including: 

• Dental Trauma: One of the most common causes of dead teeth is trauma. Many people who play contact sports or those who have fallen and hit their teeth will experience trauma that is significant enough to damage the tooth. 
• Untreated Decay: Treating tooth decay as soon as it emerges is essential. Failing to treat this decay can compromise the tissue, blood supply, and nerves within the tooth, ultimately leading to its death. 
• Infection: Much like with untreated tooth decay, unaddressed cracks can allow bacteria to enter your tooth. Over time, this bacteria will attack the innermost tissue, killing the tooth if left unaddressed. 

If you have experienced any of the situations above, there is a chance that your tooth has died or will die if you don’t take appropriate restorative measures with your dental team. The sooner you take action, the better your chances are of preventing tooth loss. 

Signs You Have a Dead Tooth

In some cases, patients may not notice that their tooth has died. However, there are a few clear signs that other patients will see, indicating they have a dead tooth. The most common signs people experience when their tooth has died include: 

1. Discoloration: The clearest sign that you may be dealing with a dead tooth is discoloration. As the tissue within your tooth dies, your tooth may begin to look darker than the surrounding teeth. Most patients will notice the tooth turning dark gray. 
2. Increased Sensitivity: Some patients won’t experience any discomfort from their dead tooth. However, others will experience increased sensitivity in the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue, which makes it difficult to eat, drink, and speak. 
3. Bad Breath: Individuals who are dealing with a dead or dying tooth will notice clear and difficult-to-address changes to their breath. If you’re experiencing halitosis in addition to other symptoms, it may indicate that one of your teeth has died. 
4. Swelling: If an infection caused the death of your tooth, there is a chance you’ll also experience swollen tissue surrounding the tooth. This swelling often occurs as the infection spreads from the tooth into the surrounding gum tissue. 
5. Abscess: In addition to swelling caused by the infection, you may also deal with abscess formation along your gum line. This abscess may also be responsible for the release of pus, which can contribute to your bad breath. 

What Should You Do If You Have a Dead Tooth? 

If you believe you’re dealing with a dead tooth, time is of the essence. It’s essential that you reach out to a trusted dental team for support as soon as possible. The sooner your dental team treats the tooth, the better your chances are of preserving the tooth. If the tooth hasn’t died, your dentist may recommend a root canal.

This procedure is essential for removing infected tissue from within the tooth that may otherwise compromise its health. However, it is not possible to save the tooth. If the tooth cannot be saved, your dentist may need to extract it. Extraction can be daunting due to changes in the function and appearance of your smile. However, here are several ways to preserve your smile. 

If you lost one tooth, your best replacement option may be a dental implant. This implant is inserted into your jaw. Once the implant has healed, your dentist will attach a crown that blends seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. In addition to restoring your smile, your implant will continue to stimulate your jawbone, preventing long-term bone loss. 

How to Prevent Dying Teeth

While it won’t always be possible to prevent a dead tooth, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself from this possibility. The best way to prevent tooth injuries, trauma, and decay includes: 

• Attending Regular Dental Exams: Schedule your twice-yearly appointments with your dentist to catch early signs of decay and damage that may compromise your oral health. 
• Wearing Mouth Guards During Sports: If you play contact sports, such as football, soccer, rugby, hockey, or boxing, be sure to wear a mouth guard to protect your smile. 
• Addressing Injuries Immediately: Even if you don’t believe trauma has caused a dental injury, reach out to your dentist to schedule an exam to protect the tooth. 
• Not Using Teeth as Tools: Whether you’re trying to tear open a package or chewing things you shouldn’t, it’s best to discontinue this to prevent damage. 

Treating Dead Teeth in Arden, NC 

When you’re dealing with a dead tooth, it’s important that you reach out to a trusted dentist as soon as possible to protect your smile. The more proactive you are in recovering from this tooth loss, the less likely you are to deal with further complications down the road. If you’re looking for a reliable dental team in the Arden, NC, area, turn to our team at Arden Family Dental. With our commitment to high-quality dental care and a compassionate approach to treatment, you can trust that you’re working with the best team in the area.

If you need to treat a dead tooth or have questions about our other services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.