Rotten Teeth: Causes, Picture, Symptoms and Treatment

Rotten teeth, also known as tooth decay is not just a cosmetic issue, but also indicates your poor oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene is important in life to maintain healthy teeth and gums. It also helps you capture the attention of the others with your beautiful smile. Any dental problem can distress you. You get embarrassed to open your mouth in your social circle due to poor oral hygiene. It causes problems like tooth decay, bad breath, and gum problems. Do you want to have a carefree smile with healthy and pearly white teeth? Then, read ahead to know how to avoid cavities and other issues.

What Is Rotten Teeth?

Plaque can lead to tooth decay. Plaque is a colorless, sticky substance that forms over your teeth. The plaque contains bacteria that can attack your teeth and gums. When you eat foods that contain sugar, the bacteria mix with sugar to create an acid. The acid can harm your teeth, leading to decaying. Rotten teeth need immediate attention as it can worsen over time. It leads to the tooth becoming loose and falling out. You need to recognize the symptoms of tooth decay to take adequate steps as soon as possible. It will help you overcome the problem and keep your teeth safe.

Symptoms Of Rotten Teeth

The rotten teeth cause permanent damage to the surface area of tooth/teeth. You may not know the problem as the decay may occur on the side that goes undetected. Therefore, you may not see it in the mirror. It requires a professional assessment as only a dentist can identify the cavities and treat it accordingly. Schedule regular dental visits to overcome the problem with ease. If you do not treat the cavity at the right time, it can affect the deeper layers of your tooth. So, it becomes larger and creates a home. Along with the hole, you can experience other signs like:

• Black/Brown/White spots on the affected tooth
• Toothache
• Sensitivity to cold or hot
• Bad breath
• Swelling of the gums
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth

Decaying tooth can affect kids and adults alike. So, the problem affects people irrespective of their ages. The signs and symptoms of the problem in children and adults remains the same. But, adults can experience other signs like:

• Infection
• Irritability
• Fever
• Pain

Therefore, people suffering from the pain need to check inside the mouth to detect the signs that indicate the problem. It is always better to seek the help of a dentist as the professionals can detect any issues with ease.

Causes Of Rotten Teeth

One single factor may not trigger the problem. A collection of possible causes can result in tooth decay. You need to understand the different factors leading to the problem. It will help you prevent the distress associated with tooth decay. Therefore, the following factor can play an important role in developing rotten teeth.

Poor Dental Hygiene

You need to brush regularly and floss to remove the plaque accumulation. It keeps your teeth strong as well as healthy. So, you need to brush two times a day and floss every day to avoid bacterial accumulation. Apart from that, make an appointment with your dentist at least twice a year for an expert dental cleaning. It removes all the dirt and plaque accumulated on your teeth that do not come off with regular brushing.

Poor Diet

Eating a diet that is rich in carbohydrates and sugar can worsen oral health. The food items can cling to your teeth and contribute to rotting of the teeth. Do you know that bacteria feed on sugar? The excess bacteria and sugar can develop more acid in your mouth. Therefore, when you fail to brush properly after eating sugary foods, it can cause rotten teeth. It is due to the fact that the plaque can break down the tooth enamel (outer layer of the teeth) faster.

Acidic Drinks

When you consume more soda and juices (high acidic levels), it can cause acid reflux. The acid reflux can cause rotten teeth. The acid present in the beverages can dissolve the tooth enamel. When you experience acid reflux, your stomach acid flows back to the esophagus as well as your mouth. So, it can damage the tooth enamel due to erosion.

Dry Mouth

When your salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva, it results in failure to wash the plaque away completely. So, the bacteria get accumulated in your mouth leading to plaque and acid production. It increases your risk of teeth rot/ tooth decay.

Dental Crevices

Deep dental crevices make it difficult to brush properly due to groves. Therefore, people with dental crevices experience more risk of decaying teeth. Due to ineffective brushing, the plaque settles on the tooth’s surface.

Fluoride Deficiency

Fluoride can strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent decay as well as other problems. The natural mineral has the ability to prevent tooth problems. People mostly get the mineral from the public water supply (Fluoride is added to the water before supply). If you drink bottled water, then you have high chances of tooth decay due to a fluoride deficiency. Therefore, use a toothpaste containing fluoride to prevent rotten tooth.

Baby Bottle

Toddlers can suffer from tooth decay at an early age when they use a baby bottle. When children sleep with the bottle containing juice, milk or formula, the chance of cavities increases. The problem can also occur when you dip the pacifier used by the child in honey or sugar. During both instances, the sugar can collect around your child’s teeth and develop into cavities.

Complications Of Rotten Teeth On The Body

You may have heard that the eye offers a glimpse of your soul. Similarly, your mouth offers a getaway of your body. The way you take care of your mouth has a direct link to your overall health. It provides an insight into the underlying problems that can have a direct connection to your oral health. The accumulation of bacteria can lead to a decaying tooth. When you fail to take action, the bacteria can trigger infection. It can affect your immune system adversely and lead to inflammation. When the inflammation gets out of control, it can affect the rest of your body. The rotten teeth can indicate some other health condition that needs medical attention.

Diabetes

Understand that oral health and blood sugar levels have a strong association. When you fail to get treatment for decaying teeth, it can cause inflammation. So, the inflammation fails to keep the blood sugar levels under control. People with diabetes need to ensure oral health to avoid complications as it can worsen infections (bacteria grow best when you have high sugar).

Heart Disease

Heart problems and oral health have a strong connection. Researchers point that 91% of the people who suffer from heart disease also endure periodontitis. In most cases, people who have an unhealthy lifestyle suffer from heart disease. The problem can trigger inflammation and develop into gum problems. Therefore, people who have a bad diet, smoke regularly and have excess body weight can suffer from gum diseases as well as heart problems. The gum diseases caused due to inflammation (blood vessels) can slow down the blood flow. Therefore, you can suffer from slow blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body.

Pregnancy

The decaying tooth can trigger an infection that can affect a pregnant woman.it can have adverse effects on the developing baby. So, if a pregnant woman suffers from gum or tooth inflammation, then it affects the baby adversely. It is always advised to visit the dentist when you become pregnant to avoid any complications.

Osteoporosis

Periodontitis is the oral problem resulting in bone loss. While no evident connection exists between the oral issue and osteoporosis, you have a higher risk of suffering from bone loss due to rotten teeth. Studies indicate that women who suffer from gum disease have osteoporosis can suffer from severe gum problem.

Diagnosing Rotten Teeth

Once you experience tooth pain or swelling of the gums, visit the dentist. Determining the problem early and seeking treatment for it can avoid further complication. So, schedule an appointment with your dentist. You dentists usually detect rotten teeth by the following methods:

Physical Assessment

Your dentist asks you about the sensitivity and pain you experience. Depending on the location you observe the pain, the dentist checks it. A thorough examination of the mouth and teeth can reveal the issues you suffer. In most cases, the dentist uses dental instruments to detect soft areas. Therefore, your dentist can suggest further tests depending on the severity of the issue.

Dental X-Rays

The dentist suggests for dental x-rays to determine the severity of the decay. The X-rays provide a clear image of the extent of cavities you suffer. Based on the images, your dentist can detect the exact type of cavities you suffer from. The different types of cavities that can affect your teeth are:

• Smooth surface
• Root
• Pit and fissure

Treatment For Rotten Teeth

The treatment for tooth decay focusses on saving the tooth. The treatment options available are similar to adults and kids. So, your dentist opts for the treatment that can eliminate the need to remove the affected tooth. But, the option selected by the dentists depends on the severity of the issue.

Treatment For Early Stages Of Tooth Decay

It is ideal for small cavities. So, your dentist opts it for tooth decay when other signs of rotting do not develop. When the other signs like bad breath or dark/white spots on the tooth do not occur, your dentist selects the method. The two types of treatment can strengthen your teeth and reverse the tooth decay are:

Tooth Remineralization

Tooth remineralization can overcome the oral cavity. Your dentist can use the calcium as well as phosphate ions to deposit in your cavities. The ions can fill the crystal voids developed due to the demineralized enamel. The process mainly focuses on managing non-cavitated teeth. It effectively manages the disease progression within your oral cavity. The process can restore the strength and function of your tooth and prevent rotten teeth.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride treatment restores the minerals to your teeth surface. It can overcome the erosion of the enamel due to the bacteria. It also prevents the growth of harmful oral bacteria that leads to cavities. While fluoride treatment cannot remove the decay, it can prevent it from penetrating deeper into your teeth. Fluoride treatment makes your outer surface of the teeth stronger. Your dentist can offer you the treatment in the form of gel, varnish, foam or rinse of high concentrate. The products contain high fluoride levels compared to your normal toothpaste of water. So, you can easily incorporate it in your daily life.

Treatment For Advanced Stages Of Rotten Teeth

When you have a decaying tooth with accompanying signs like bad breath or spots on your teeth, then you need other treatment options. The advanced stages of tooth decay need other treatment options to overcome the problem. So, your dentist can opt for the following methods:

Dental Filling

For the advanced stage of the decay, your dentist can suggest dental filling or dental crown. It can fill the holes in your teeth. During the process, the dentist uses amalgam filling or tooth-colored composite resin to fill the hole due to rotting. In most cases, the dentist uses amalgam fillings like silver, mercury, or other metal. After the procedure, a dental cap placed over the affected tooth can prevent further damage.

Root Canal

If the decay spreads to the center of your tooth, then your dentist opts for a root canal. It is the ideal option when you have an infection or inflammation. During the process, the dentists remove the affected nerve as well as the pulp. Then, space is filled and sealed to avoid further decaying. It is an ideal treatment for adults as well as children.

You may think your child does not need a root canal for their temporary teeth. But, it is necessary when it becomes impossible to fix the tooth decay with a dental filling. Without the root canal, the decaying tooth can fall out early. It results in premature loss of the affected tooth. It can result in the misalignment of permanent teeth. Therefore, to prevent the problem, you need to opt for a root canal for your child.

Replace Tooth

The severity of the rot can make it impossible to salvage the teeth. In such cases, your dentist extracts the tooth. It is then replaced with an implant, bridge or a denture. So, the dentist opts for the method when it becomes impossible to save the tooth.

Preventing Rotten Teeth

Rotten teeth are the problem that you can prevent. It is 100% avoidable with proper care. You need allot some time for your dental health every day to ensure you avoid such complications. Here are some tips you can follow to prevent the tooth decay:

Brushing Regularly

You need to brush every day to remove the germs accumulation and food deposits in your mouth. The best time to brush is after you have your breakfast and before going to bed. You can even brush after having your lunch. Brushing can scrub the bacteria and food debris that can accumulate in your mouth. So, you can prevent acid formation that leads to cavities.

Floss Every Day

Using the cord of thin filaments, you can remove the plaque and food particles accumulated between the teeth. A dental floss usually reaches areas that your brush cannot effectively reach and clean. The buildup of floss can result in dental complications like dental caries, gingivitis, and cavities. Therefore, you need to floss every day to avoid the problem. Use the floss before going to bed and rinse your mouth with mouthwash for avoiding bacterial accumulation.

Schedule Appointment With Dentist

You need to schedule a visit to your dentist on a regular basis. The professional consultation can help you stay ahead of plaque or bacterial buildup. You can avoid any chances of rotten teeth with regular dental checkups.

Try Some Home Remedies

You can try some home remedies using baking soda to remove the plaque and keep your teeth healthy. It can remove the plaque accumulation and prevent bacteria from building up in your mouth.

You can prevent the occurrence of decaying teeth with swift action. Procrastinating it will not provide you any benefits. Therefore, you need to take action as soon as possible to avoid any decay or cavity. Each day you fail to take care of your teeth, you come closer to tooth decay.

Conclusion

Rotten teeth can affect your physical health as well as your mental peace. You will feel embarrassed to talk to others when you have decaying teeth. It can affect your self-confidence adversely. Ignoring the problem can also develop severe health problems. Therefore, see your dentist regularly to check for any problems. Irrespective of the severity, you need professional consultation to prevent any complication. With early diagnosis, you can receive proper treatment that will save the tooth. It also avoids infection and other issues. So, consult a dentist and also follow home remedies to ensure your pearly whites attracts the attention of everyone.

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