Rotten Teeth: Signs and Treatments

Rotten teeth occur as a result of large amounts of decay. The decay is usually caused by the consumption of too much sugar and starchy foods, as well as poor oral hygiene. If you do not brush your teeth regularly, the bacteria in your mouth feed off the sugar and starch on your teeth, creating a film on the surface of your teeth known as plaque.

When plaque is left on your teeth for an extended period of time, it hardens under your gum line and becomes tartar, which leads to gum disease (or periodontitis) if left untreated. The plaque and tartar in your mouth eventually weaken the enamel in your teeth, leading to tooth decay. If the decay is left untreated, it weakens the structure of your teeth until your teeth rot and start to fall off.

What are the symptoms of rotten teeth?

The symptoms of rotten teeth vary depending on where the rot is located. In some cases, you might not know your teeth are decaying until your gums start to bleed or become inflamed.

Some of the most common symptoms of rotten teeth include:

• Holes in your teeth
• Sensitivity to extreme temperatures
• Pain when you chew
• Staining on the surface of your teeth
• Toothaches that occur randomly

How to prevent rotten teeth

You can avoid having rotten teeth by practicing good oral hygiene, which means you have to brush your teeth and floss at least twice a day and visit the dentist twice a year. The brushing helps to remove the plaque that forms on the surface of your teeth, preventing it from turning into tartar.

You should also make sure you use mouthwash and toothpaste that contain fluoride, which is very effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay because it strengthens your enamel.

Rotten teeth treatments

If you have a serious case of rotten teeth, it will be very difficult for your dentist to save the teeth because they have been weakened structurally and will likely fall out. In the event that you start to lose your teeth, your dentist will recommend fixing the missing teeth with dentures, dental bridges or dental implants.

If most of your teeth have fallen out, your dentist will recommend that you have the remaining teeth extracted and get you fitted for dentures. If you are only missing a couple of teeth, your dentist will recommend either a dental bridge or dental implants.

Dental bridges are used to hold artificial teeth in place by using the adjacent teeth. Even though bridges are a popular method for fixing missing teeth, they aren’t very durable. Implants, on the other hand, are the most durable method of replacing missing teeth because titanium posts are fused to your jawbone, then an artificial tooth is screwed into place when the post is securely fused into place and your jaw has healed.

The bottom line

Having rotten teeth can be embarrassing, but it is not something that you have to live with for the rest of your life. If your teeth have started to decay, consult with your dentist to figure out if they can still be saved or if you have to start thinking of replacing them using any of the methods listed.

Request an appointment here: https://smilowfamilydentistry.com or call Smilow Family Dentistry, P.C. at (973) 379-2202 for an appointment in our Springfield Township office.