Rotten tooth: causes, treatments and prevention!

The mouth is considered one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. Teeth play a fundamental role in our overall health and can influence our self-confidence and overall well-being.

So, when neglected, oral health can lead to complications that can disrupt our daily lives.

Tooth rot is one of the most common phenomena in this area. It can affect people of all ages and cause intense pain and dangerous infections if not treated promptly. Discover here the causes, symptoms, treatments as well as prevention methods against rotten teeth. 😖

Rotten tooth is an expression used to refer to teeth that are damaged, degraded and blackened by cavities. It is a common disease that affects tooth enamel and can affect people of all ages. It usually occurs when bacteria in the mouth found in plaque produce acids that attack enamel. 🦠 If this plaque is not removed through regular brushing and flossing, it can harden and turn into tartar, which is even more difficult to treat (and can even turn into black dental tartar ) .

Decay can affect any part of the tooth, but it mainly develops in areas where bacteria tends to accumulate. Including cracks, crevices and surfaces between teeth. Tooth rot can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the damaged surface.

It is more common in children, but it can affect people of any age.

It is also more common in people who consume products high in sugar and starch. Likewise, if you have poor oral hygiene, or a history in your family, the risk of contracting cavities is very high. Some people with misaligned teeth or cracks in the roots can also find themselves facing this health problem which often turns their teeth brown . 😰

The main causes of tooth rot are multiple and often linked to preventable risk factors. Dental plaque and tartar are the main phenomena often responsible for this condition. It appears following an accumulation of food debris in the oral cavity. 👄

So, when it is not removed through brushing and regular maintenance, it hardens and turns into tartar. This then becomes harder and can be difficult to combat without the intervention of a specialist. Tooth rot can also be caused by an unhealthy diet high in sugar and starch. Without forgetting the lack of oral hygiene as well as genetic factors.

Now that you have learned about the different factors that can cause tooth rot, it is essential to know how to recognize its symptoms . Here are the different manifestations of rotten teeth.

Pain is one of the most common symptoms of tooth rot. It can appear in the form of a sharp and sharp affliction or as a dull and constant pain, or sensitivity to touch . In general, pain in the gums or at the tips of the teeth is felt the most. There may be swelling of the gums in the affected area,receding gums and the appearance of abscesses. In this case, chewing food becomes real torture and the patient can only be relieved by adequate treatment.☝️

Rotten teeth sometimes manifest themselves by increased sensitivity to hot and cold . This sensitivity refers to a painful sensation that comes over you when your teeth come into contact with a hot or cold substance. ☕️

Sometimes all it takes is the toothbrush grazing the sensitive area to trigger that acute shiver. Indeed, when plaque is not eliminated, it attacks the root of the tooth, which makes it vulnerable and highlights its nerve endings.

Thus, rotting teeth can become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. This causes a painful sensation when the patient consumes hot or cold meals. ❄️

Beyond sensitivity to hot or cold, there is another symptom that helps identify tooth rot . This is sugar sensitivity . Indeed, patients with this dental disease may also experience sharp pain when eating sugary foods. 🍭

Bad breath is a common symptom of rotten teeth. Bacteria in the mouth produce smelly gases that can cause bad breath. 🥴 Therefore, it is advisable to take the necessary measures when you notice that a foul odor is coming from your mouth, in order to try to keep your breath fresh .

Gum inflammation is also a symptom indicating rotten teeth. The gums may become red, swollen and you will also have sore gums .

Untreated tooth rot can lead to tooth loss. Teeth that are too damaged or have become too fragile may break or become dislodged, which may require extraction. 😱

Like all oral diseases , rotten teeth can be caused by several phenomena. Knowing these can allow you to take the necessary steps to avoid them in order to preserve your health. Thus, as sources, we can cite dental plaque, tartar, diet, lack of hygiene, genetic factors and dental trauma. 💥

Plaque refers to a sticky layer of bacteria that forms on the patient's teeth. If it is not removed regularly by brushing or flossing, it can harden and turn into tartar. 🦷 Plaque and tartar need to be removed urgently because they can cause dental caries and gum disease.

Sugary drinks and meals are the main drivers of plaque and tooth decay. 🥤 Bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars in meals and drinks, producing acids that attack tooth enamel and increase the acidity of the mouth .

Brushing your teeth well daily and flossing regularly are essential to preventing tooth rot. If you don't brush your teeth regularly, plaque can build up and cause tooth decay and other oral diseases. 🪥

Some people are more likely to develop tooth decay due to their genetic makeup. 🧬 If your parents have a history of tooth decay , you are at risk of getting them too. For example, tooth density and the amount of saliva produced can influence susceptibility to tooth rot.

Dental trauma , such as a blow to the tooth or a fracture, can also cause damage to tooth enamel and encourage tooth decay. Which places it on the list of phenomena causing this disease.

Rotten tooth can cause several complications and have a considerable impact on health. Including dental caries, tooth loss, dental infection, bone loss and chewing problems.

Dental caries are the main consequence of rotten teeth. If left untreated, they can progress and cause permanent damage to the oral cavity.

As said earlier, tooth rot that is not taken care of and treated adequately can lead to tooth loss . Teeth that are too damaged may crack or the teeth may become loose . Which may require extraction and/or more extensive surgery in more serious cases. 🩺

If the disease is left untreated, it can progress to the root of the tooth and cause an infection . 😷 Dental infections are known to be very painful and often require antibiotic treatment.

Another consequence of rotten teeth is that they can also lead to bone loss in the jaw. 🦴 This is less common and sometimes goes unnoticed. If the tooth is not replaced, bone loss can worsen over time and cause additional health problems. With this loss, it becomes difficult to place an implant or prosthesis.

If you have rotten teeth, it can affect your ability to chew food properly . Which further exposes you to difficulties with digestion and nutrition.

Treatment for tooth rot depends on the extent of the damage and the severity of the situation. For this, it is recommended to consult a dentist in order to benefit from appropriate care. Common treatment options include tooth extraction, tooth filling, dental crown, root canal, and dental implant. 😉

This solution is used when the tooth is too damaged or has become too fragile. Tooth extraction involves completely removing the tooth from the jawbone. It is often used to treat wisdom teeth, broken teeth or for people who have serious dental problems. 😖

Tooth filling is a common solution to treat dental caries. The principle is that the damaged part of the tooth is removed and replaced with a filling material. It can be silver amalgam or composite resin. This procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and can be done in just one visit to the dentist. 💉

If tooth decay is very severe, the dentist may recommend a dental crown to protect the remaining tooth. This is a prosthesis that is placed over a damaged tooth to protect and strengthen it. 💪 The crown is custom made to fit the tooth perfectly and can be made from materials such as ceramic, porcelain or metal.

If the condition affects the dental pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth), root canal treatment is necessary. This treatment consists of removing the pulp and replacing it with a filling material. The advantage of this solution is that it can save a tooth that would have been extracted. 👍

If the tooth needs to be extracted, the dentist may recommend an implant in the jawbone. This is a titanium screw inserted into the jawbone to replace the root of the missing tooth. Once the implant is in place, a crown is attached on top for this purpose.

Beyond all the treatments that exist, you can very well avoid tooth rot by observing a few preventive measures. Here are the precautions to take:

To maintain good oral hygiene and preserve your health, brushing your teeth is an essential measure. In addition to preventing dental caries , it helps avoid other diseases such as periodontitis.

To do this, you must use a soft toothbrush and a well-chosen toothpaste to fight plaque.