Teeth are made up of a combination of hard and soft tissue. You may not think of teeth as living, but healthy teeth are alive. When the nerves in the pulp of the tooth, which is the inner layer, become damaged, such as by injury or decay, they can stop providing blood to the tooth. That can cause an infection and cause the nerve to die.
This is also sometimes known as a non-vital tooth. Read on to learn how to identify a dead tooth and what you should do if you see signs that your tooth is injured. For many people, discoloration may be one of the first signs of a dying tooth.
You may also experience pain in the tooth or gums. Healthy teeth are usually a shade of white, though the color can vary depending on your diet and oral hygiene. For example, if you regularly consume foods that are staining, like coffee, blueberries, or red wine, or smoke, your smile may appear off-white or light yellow. This discoloration will likely be uniform, however.
A dying tooth may appear yellow, light brown, gray, or even black. It may look almost as if the tooth is bruised. The discoloration will increase over time as the tooth continues to decay and the nerve dies. Pain is another possible symptom. Others feel mild pain, and still other people will feel intense pain. The pain is often caused by the dying nerve. It can also be caused by infection.
For example, in the worst-case scenario for tooth decay , the consequences can be much more significant than you might expect. When a tooth first starts to decay , it involves the weakening of your tooth enamel, which is something that occurs every day when oral bacteria gather on your teeth and release harmful acids and substances. Addressing tooth decay early can mean a few different things. For instance, improving your dental hygiene routine, snacking habits, and schedule of preventive dental care can address the early stage of decay, known as enamel erosion.
Tooth decay is much easier and cheaper to treat in its early stages. Dentists can usually identify tooth decay and further problems with a simple examination or X-ray. Find your nearest dentist.
It's also important to have regular dental check-ups. Adults should have a check-up at least once every two years and children under the age of 18 should have a check-up at least once a year.
Read more on getting over a fear of the dentist. Charges are assessed each year and usually change every April. Some people don't have to pay for dental treatment, including children, pregnant women and new mothers. Financial help may also be available to those on a low income. The cost of private dental treatment varies between practices, as there is no set charge.
If you choose to see a private dentist, make sure to agree the cost before having treatment. Although tooth decay is a common problem, it's often entirely preventable. The best way to avoid tooth decay is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
For example, you should:. PUB3 Kantar. Is There a Cure to Tooth Decay? Abscessed Teeth Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. Thanks for Subscribing! Thank you for joining our mailing list. We can't wait to share upcoming news and special offers for Oral-B. Please enter a valid email address. Home Learn Stages of Tooth Decay. Stage 1: White Spots The first stage of tooth decay begins when chalky white areas on the surface of the tooth appear due to the loss of calcium and build-up of plaque.
Stage Three: Dentinal Decay Stage three of tooth decay is known as dentinal decay. Popular For Tooth Health Tooth decay is preventable. Establishing an oral care regimen that involves these preventive measures will help avoid tooth decay: Adhere to a robust oral hygiene regimen —use toothpastes and mouthwashes with fluoride, floss daily and brush with an electric toothbrush.
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