A healthy tooth is alive, with nerves and blood vessels keeping it nourished. However, when a tooth’s pulp dies due to decay, infection, or trauma, it becomes what’s referred to as a “dead tooth.” While a dead tooth doesn’t always cause immediate pain, it can lead to serious dental issues if left untreated. 

But, it can be difficult to treat if you don’t realize you’re experiencing it. If you believe one of your teeth has recently died, keep reading to learn how this happens, the signs your tooth is dead, and how your dental team can help you treat it. 

Why Does a Tooth Die? 

Inside your tooth is the pulp, a soft tissue that contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. If this tissue becomes damaged or infected, your tooth may die. There are several reasons why this may occur, including deep, untreated cavities, cracks, or dental trauma. These injuries may expose the pulp to bacteria, increasing your risk of infection. 

Once the blood supply to the tooth is cut off, the pulp begins to die. As it dies, your tooth may become more brittle. Sometimes, sports injuries and auto accidents may also lead to a disruption of blood flow, leading to a dead tooth, even if you don’t notice any immediate visible signs of damage. 

Signs You Have a Dead Tooth

If you believe you may have a dead tooth, there are a few signs you should look out for. Some of the most common signs of dead teeth include: 

1. Discoloration

One of the clearest signs you have a dead tooth is sudden or worsening discoloration on one tooth. While it isn’t uncommon for your teeth to change color as you get older, they often do so uniformly. If you notice only one tooth changing color, this may indicate there is a change in the blood supply to the tooth. As your tooth dies, it may become yellow, brown, gray, or black. When this discoloration begins, it is essential that you reach out to your trusted dental team for support. 

2. Swelling and Abscesses 

While swelling and abscesses can indicate a variety of oral health problems, this symptom, coupled with previous dental trauma, may be a sign of a dying tooth. The initial swelling results from potential bacterial infections within the tissue around the tooth. As you leave the dead tooth untreated, this infection may become an abscess, which poses a significant risk to your overall health and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. 

3. Untreatable Odor

If you brush and floss your teeth as recommended, any lingering or untreatable odors are a sign of a serious oral health problem like a dead tooth. This can be difficult to identify on its own, but if you are experiencing several other symptoms on top of an untreatable smell, this may be a sign that your tooth is dying. If you’re unsure whether your tooth has died, it is best to reach out to your dental team for support. 

4. Increased Discomfort

You shouldn’t ever experience any pain if your teeth are healthy. However, as the nerves in your tooth die, it isn’t uncommon to begin experiencing persistent, unaddressable pain. It isn’t uncommon for people to experience little to no pain when the tooth first dies. However, as the nerves begin dying, the pain they experience continues to grow and will need to be addressed by a trusted dental team as soon as possible, as over-the-counter pain medications won’t be able to alleviate the discomfort adequately. 

5. Fever

In the most severe cases, some dental patients will experience fevers when they have a dead tooth. As the infection from your dying tooth and the surrounding irritated tissue makes its way out of the tooth, it may trigger your body’s immune response. As your body fights the infection, there is a chance you’ll develop a fever. This can be concerning, as spreading infection has the potential to make its way into your bloodstream, leading to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention. 

What To Do If You Have Dead Teeth

Treating a dead tooth involves a variety of professional dental treatments. While you may be tempted to put off treatment, it is essential that you reach out to a trusted dental team as soon as the signs of a dying tooth present themselves. Some treatment options your dentist may employ to treat a dead tooth include: 

• Root Canal: One of the first things your dentist may attempt is a root canal. With this treatment, they remove the dental pulp and seal your tooth to prevent further infection.
• Dental Crown: If the damage to your tooth is too complex, your dentist may cover it with a dental crown to protect the tooth and restore its strength. 
• Tooth Extraction: In cases where the tooth has died, and there is no chance of restoring it, your dentist may opt for extraction to prevent further harm. 
• Dental Prosthetics: If your dentist extracts the tooth, they may recommend dental prosthetics to restore the appearance of your smile, including implants, bridges, or dentures. 

Protecting Your Oral Health in North Ogden, Utah

If you’re dealing with a dead tooth, you should reach out to a trusted dental team as soon as possible for support. Working with them as soon as possible can save you from losing a tooth and potentially life-threatening infections. If you’re looking for a dentist in the North Ogden area, turn to our team at Mountain View Dental for support.

With over a decade of experience helping patients across the area through the most complex oral health problems, we’re confident we can do the same for you. With our team on your side, you can rest assured that your oral health is in good hands, and we’ll help you maintain or restore the appearance of your smile.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment to address a dead tooth, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.