People of all ages can suffer from rotten teeth. In infancy, a rotten tooth is usually caused by drinking bottles of sugary drinks at bedtime. From childhood through adulthood, rotten teeth can be caused by tooth decay from poor dental hygiene.
Some people’s teeth are not as strong as others due to heredity, so they may be susceptible to tooth decay. In most cases, rotten teeth develop over a long period of time of neglect of proper dental care. A decayed tooth may have started as being sensitive to hot or cold as the tooth enamel begins to wear down.
A cavity may develop which may cause tooth pain. The tooth become discolored at the site of the cavity. If left untreated, the cavity worsens. Though some antiseptic mouthwash is marketed as a way to build up tooth enamel, a cavity requires treatment from a dentist. Though these products may help strengthen tooth enamel, mouthwash and other dental hygiene products cannot replace lost tooth enamel or get rid of cavities.
The untreated cavity gets larger and may affect the inside of the tooth. If the tooth becomes abscessed, the dentist or oral surgeon will need to perform a root canal to save the tooth. If the person continues to neglect to get dental care for the large cavity, the whole tooth may become discolored.
A rotten tooth is not as strong as a healthy tooth. It may eventually crack or break. Rotten teeth cause bad breath and tooth pain. An infection may develop that can cause serious health problems. Though some over-the-counter medication may alleviate the tooth pain, the person should not continue to avoid professional dental care.
The dentist is likely to discuss the best treatment options for the rotten tooth. If the tooth cannot be saved with a root canal, it may have to be removed. A dental implant of a bridge can be used to replace the lost tooth. Replacing the tooth is necessary to prevent other teeth from shifting in the mouth due to the gap where the tooth was. If the rotten teeth was the last molar, the dentist may not feel that a tooth replacement is necessary.
