Dying or dead teeth should be treated as soon as possible. If they are neglected, bacteria in the dead teeth may spread to other teeth and damage them – we may even lose them. This issue may even pose a threat to the jawbone and gums.

Root canal treatment

Owing to a successful root canal treatment, we may be able to save your dying tooth. During root canal treatment, a small hole is drilled into the tooth through which the damaged dental pulp and infection are removed. Then, both the root of the tooth and the tiny hole drilled into the tooth are filled.

After root canal treatment, capping with a crown is required in many cases, especially if tooth enamel is severely damaged or a larger filling had to be placed inside the tooth. Root canal treated teeth may become brittle over time, which is why it is also recommended to place a crown on back teeth, for example, which are used for chewing.
For placing a tooth crown, a part of the tooth is smoothed so that a final crown can be placed on top of it. A crown can be made in a variety of colours to match surrounding teeth, achieving a natural effect.

If you do not need a crown, you can whiten your teeth to remove the discolouration caused by tooth death. This is usually only needed for the more visible front teeth. It is worth visiting our clinic to explore every unique opportunity.

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Tooth removal

If a dead tooth has been severely damaged and cannot be treated with root canal treatment, permanent removal of the tooth is recommended. After removal, the tooth can be replaced with an implant or other replacement solution.

 

Treatment of pain

If a dead tooth causes severe pain, there are a few ways you can relieve this pain at home while waiting for treatment:

• Do not drink hot drinks. These may aggravate inflammation, which will only cause more pain.
• Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, naturally strictly according to package leaflet or instructions of your dentist.
• Do not eat hard things. Biting with a dying tooth can be very painful because it puts pressure on the damaged nerves.

However, it is important not to use any home remedies to “treat” a dying tooth until we have shown it to a dentist. Home remedies are no substitute for an actual dental treatment. So most of what we can do is to spare the damaged tooth until we get expert advice on it.

 

How to prevent tooth death?

Tooth death cannot always be avoided, but there are several things you can do to improve your chances against it:

Keep your mouth clean and healthy. Brush your teeth twice a day and use dental floss at least once.
Visit your dentist for a thorough check-up at least every six months. Preventive dental care can help prevent many dental problems before they develop. For example, an early stage tooth decay, if noticed in time, is easy to be treated, thus preventing it from reaching the pulp and causing toot death.
Wear a mouthguard. If you play sports where your teeth may be at increased risk, it is important to protect them from injury.
Try to eat healthy. Avoid sugary foods that can cause tooth decay.
Drink water, especially after meals. Water can help wash away any bacteria left in your mouth between two toothbrushes.

 

• How does a dead tooth develop and what are its symptoms? Read our article on this.

 

If you have toothache, a sensitive tooth, or it is time to have a dental check-up, then visit our clinic using the form below.