Rotten teeth are a condition of permanent tooth damage to the surface of the teeth, either in the form of tooth loss or cavities. Decay in teeth begins with a bacterial infection that causes cavities. If the hole is not treated immediately, over time the infection will get worse and cause the tooth to rot.
Symptoms of rotten teeth
The beginning of tooth decay may go unnoticed and show no special symptoms. But over time, untreated tooth decay can spread and reach deeper parts of the tooth. When teeth are rotten, symptoms that may be felt include:
- Severe throbbing pain in the tooth
- Sensitive to hot and cold food or drinks
- It is easy to get involved in food because the hole in the tooth has enlarged
- Bad smelling breath
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Swollen cheeks
Rotten teeth are not only a problem for adults, but also for children. In children, the symptoms that appear can be accompanied by discomfort and fever, which indicates a tooth infection.
Causes of rotten teeth
Rotten teeth occur due to the accumulation of several problems with the teeth at once. Several things that could be triggers include:
1. Not keeping teeth clean
Keeping teeth clean by brushing and using dental floss it is very important to remove plaque and ensure that teeth remain healthy. Brush your teeth twice a day, especially after eating. Not only that, have your dental health checked by a doctor every 6 months.
2. Diet
A poor diet can also cause teeth to become damaged over time, especially if your diet is dominated by sweet and sticky foods.
Sugar is food for bacteria that can damage teeth. If the food you consume contains a lot of sugar and sticks to the surface of your teeth, making it difficult to clean, your teeth will easily get cavities.
3. Dry mouth
Did you know that one of the functions of saliva is to clean the oral cavity? So, if your mouth is dry, bacteria will breed more easily and make your teeth susceptible to cavities and ultimately rot.
4. Uneven teeth
An uneven tooth arrangement sometimes makes it difficult for a toothbrush to reach certain areas. As a result, plaque can stick to areas that are difficult to reach for a long time. An alternative treatment is to flatten the surface of the teeth so that there is no risk of plaque buildup.
5. Use of teat bottles
In children, rotten teeth can occur due to long-term use of teat bottles. Mainly, if the child often drinks the pacifier until he falls asleep after drinking milk or other sweet drinks. When this happens, sugar can accumulate on the surface of the teeth and make teeth susceptible to cavities.
How to deal with rotten teeth
There are several treatment options for rotten teeth that can be used based on the severity and other symptoms.
1. Fluoride treatment
Fluoride is a natural mineral that protects and repairs tooth enamel. When rotten teeth are still in their early stages and have not yet damaged the teeth further, fluoride treatment can help repair microcavities on the surface of the teeth so they don’t get worse.
2. Dental fillings
If a tooth begins to decay and develop cavities, the dentist will remove the damaged or nearly decayed area and then fill it with a filling material that can imitate enamel and make the tooth look whole and healthy again.
3. Root canal treatment
If the tooth has a large cavity and the nerve has been damaged, then root canal treatment will be an option.
When performing this procedure, the doctor will remove the rotted root tissue, then provide a temporary filling to fill the empty space, and then provide a permanent covering called a crown.
4. Revocation
When a rotten tooth has suffered very serious damage and the tooth is not healthy enough to be treated and repaired, the final option is to remove the rotten tooth. The empty space can be replaced with dentures.
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That’s information about rotten teeth as well as the symptoms and how to deal with them. Tooth decay can occur without being detected beforehand and may only be noticed after it is too late. Therefore, you need Have your dental health checked regularly so that signs of damage to your teeth can be identified and appropriate treatment immediately given.
