Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSignsSymptomsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Signs
Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Rotting teeth can cause sensitivity and pain in the teeth and gums. If left untreated, rotting teeth can lead to infections, andgum disease, which has been linked to systemic infections (those that impact the whole body).Dental decay caught early can be treated, but prevention is the best tool to avoid rotting teeth.
This article will explore the causes of tooth decay, the appearance of rotting teeth, and how to prevent and treat dental disease.
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What Causes Rotten Teeth?
There are more than 700 types of microbes (tiny living organisms) in your mouth.The microbes make up your microbiome, the natural balance of bacteria, viruses, and other organisms in your body.
Some bacteria are good for your body and help break down and digest food.Other bacteria are harmful and can lead to illness orinfection. Bacteria and the acids they produce, along with viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms, live in the mouth and, together, createtooth decay.
The sugar and starch in the food and beverages you consume feed bacteria and create a film calledplaqueon the teeth. Plaque hardens intotartar, which can eat away tooth enamel and gum tissue, leading to tooth damage andgum disease.
Tooth enamel is made up of strong minerals that protect the deeper layers of the teeth.Weakened enamel and exposed areas of teeth from damaged gums are most susceptible to mineral loss, which also contributes to tooth decay.
What Are the Signs of Rotting Teeth?
White spotson your teeth are a symptom of mineral loss and an early sign of tooth decay.
Visible signs of tooth decay also include brown or dark stains, especially around the base of the teeth, androots that are exposedbelow the gum line. In severe cases of tooth decay, there may also be noticeableabscesses(pus-filled pockets) or swelling.
4 Signs You Have Gum Disease and What to Do About It
What Are the Symptoms of Rotten Teeth?
You may feel the physical symptoms of tooth decay before any visible signs are recognized.
Symptoms of tooth decay can include:
What Is a Cavity?
How to Treat Rotting Teeth
Several treatment options can help treat decaying, or rotting, teeth. Your dentist will choose an appropriate treatment based on the severity of decay and other symptoms.
Treatments of tooth decay can include:
What You Can Do About Missing Teeth
How to Prevent Rotten Teeth
Although there are several effective treatments for tooth decay, prevention is preferred whenever possible.
You can prevent tooth decay with regular dental care like:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Tooth decay can cause pain and difficulty eating and increase the risk of developing an infection. Once tooth decay develops, your dentist may provide fluoride treatments or fillings to repair the damage.
In severe cases, a dentist will remove the decayed tooth and replace it with an implant. See a dentist for regular cleanings and exams. Be sure to bring up your dental hygiene habits and your risk of developing tooth decay.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIn some cases rotten teeth can be treated with fillings or a procedure called a root canal. If rotten left untreated, your dentist may have to remove the affected teeth. You can also develop severe oral or systemic infections.Learn MoreWhat to Expect at Your Next Dental ExtractionA dentist can treat rotting teeth with fluoride treatments, fillings, and root canals if you get help before the damage becomes too severe.Learn MoreWhat to Expect During a Root CanalPain, the tooth turning gray, and bad breath are signs of a dead tooth. A dentist may be able to perform a root canal to save a dying tooth. Otherwise, the dead tooth will be extracted.Learn MoreDental Implant Procedure: Everything You Need to Know
In some cases rotten teeth can be treated with fillings or a procedure called a root canal. If rotten left untreated, your dentist may have to remove the affected teeth. You can also develop severe oral or systemic infections.Learn MoreWhat to Expect at Your Next Dental Extraction
In some cases rotten teeth can be treated with fillings or a procedure called a root canal. If rotten left untreated, your dentist may have to remove the affected teeth. You can also develop severe oral or systemic infections.
Learn MoreWhat to Expect at Your Next Dental Extraction
A dentist can treat rotting teeth with fluoride treatments, fillings, and root canals if you get help before the damage becomes too severe.Learn MoreWhat to Expect During a Root Canal
A dentist can treat rotting teeth with fluoride treatments, fillings, and root canals if you get help before the damage becomes too severe.
Learn MoreWhat to Expect During a Root Canal
Pain, the tooth turning gray, and bad breath are signs of a dead tooth. A dentist may be able to perform a root canal to save a dying tooth. Otherwise, the dead tooth will be extracted.Learn MoreDental Implant Procedure: Everything You Need to Know
Pain, the tooth turning gray, and bad breath are signs of a dead tooth. A dentist may be able to perform a root canal to save a dying tooth. Otherwise, the dead tooth will be extracted.
Learn MoreDental Implant Procedure: Everything You Need to Know
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease and other diseases.National Institutes of Health.Mouth microbes.Linares DM, Ross P, Stanton C.Beneficial microbes: The pharmacy in the gut.Bioengineered. 2016;7(1):11-20. doi:10.1080/21655979.2015.1126015MedlinePlus.Tooth decay.Vaissier Welborn V.Enamel synthesis explained.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2020;117(36):21847-21848.MouthHealthy.org.Decay.ADA.Silver diamine fluoride.Mark A.Options for dealing with tooth decay.J Am Dent Assoc.October 2018;49(10):P927-928.Dentaly.org.Dead tooth: causes, treatment options and symptoms.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease and other diseases.National Institutes of Health.Mouth microbes.Linares DM, Ross P, Stanton C.Beneficial microbes: The pharmacy in the gut.Bioengineered. 2016;7(1):11-20. doi:10.1080/21655979.2015.1126015MedlinePlus.Tooth decay.Vaissier Welborn V.Enamel synthesis explained.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2020;117(36):21847-21848.MouthHealthy.org.Decay.ADA.Silver diamine fluoride.Mark A.Options for dealing with tooth decay.J Am Dent Assoc.October 2018;49(10):P927-928.Dentaly.org.Dead tooth: causes, treatment options and symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease and other diseases.National Institutes of Health.Mouth microbes.Linares DM, Ross P, Stanton C.Beneficial microbes: The pharmacy in the gut.Bioengineered. 2016;7(1):11-20. doi:10.1080/21655979.2015.1126015MedlinePlus.Tooth decay.Vaissier Welborn V.Enamel synthesis explained.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2020;117(36):21847-21848.MouthHealthy.org.Decay.ADA.Silver diamine fluoride.Mark A.Options for dealing with tooth decay.J Am Dent Assoc.October 2018;49(10):P927-928.Dentaly.org.Dead tooth: causes, treatment options and symptoms.
American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease and other diseases.
National Institutes of Health.Mouth microbes.
Linares DM, Ross P, Stanton C.Beneficial microbes: The pharmacy in the gut.Bioengineered. 2016;7(1):11-20. doi:10.1080/21655979.2015.1126015
MedlinePlus.Tooth decay.
Vaissier Welborn V.Enamel synthesis explained.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2020;117(36):21847-21848.
MouthHealthy.org.Decay.
ADA.Silver diamine fluoride.
Mark A.Options for dealing with tooth decay.J Am Dent Assoc.October 2018;49(10):P927-928.
Dentaly.org.Dead tooth: causes, treatment options and symptoms.
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