They say you’re never fully dressed until you put on a smile. And that’s correct! Your smile is the best accessory you can put on to complete your overall look or outfit.
But, how can you smile if your tooth is aching or dying? Don’t worry! We got you covered. Here we round up five effective tips to identify and treat a dead tooth.
Before we head on to the main topic, let’s brush up on the essential oral hygiene tips.
1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
2. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
3. Choose a toothpaste that has the right amount of fluoride.
4. Refrain from eating too sweet and sticky foods.
5. Use dental floss as often as you brush your teeth (yes! floss your teeth twice to make sure there’s no unwanted plaque or food particles left in between your teeth)
Our teeth can die and there are a bunch of reasons why it happens. The most common is due to tooth decay developed by plaque and food particles left in between the teeth. Aside from that, there are other reasons that can cause the teeth to die.
Are teeth alive?
Yes! According to the American Dental Association, healthy teeth have a soft tissue called the pulp in their centers. The pulp contains the nerve tissue and blood vessels that keep the tooth alive. This pulp extends all the way from the crowns of the teeth to the tips of their roots. The tooth pulp can be injured, but it has the magic to heal itself. In times when the pulp can no longer cure the damage, that’s when it dies.
The two main culprits causing the teeth to die are cracked teeth and tooth cavities. Colgate suggests that when you crack a tooth, bacteria from your mouth are able to access your pulp. Deep cavities can also let bacteria reach the pulp. In both situations, the pulp can become infected and die.
Are your teeth dead?
There are many signs that can occur when pulp become infected and die. The main sign is when your teeth or gums become painful. You can also feel extreme pain when you bite your food no matter how soft the food is. In addition to that, sensitive gums can also be a sign of a dead tooth.
How to Know if your Teeth is Dead?
A regular dental check-up is a must. By doing so, your dentist can check if your teeth pulp is injured, damaged or dying. There are treatment options in case you have injured teeth and the pulp can’t usually cure itself if the damaged is too deep.
If your pulp becomes infected and dies, it won’t get better on its own. Without dental treatment, the infection that killed the pulp can spread to the bone around your tooth. A pocket of pus can then be formed within your jawbone. To avoid this unpleasant situation, it’s important to seek immediate treatment for dead teeth.
What are the treatment options?
Two of the most effective treatments are tooth extraction and root canal. The treatment will be based on the severity of the pulp injury. If it’s still mild, a root canal can be done. On the other hand, if the teeth are completely dead, tooth extraction is the treatment of choice.