Rotten teeth can negatively impact your appearance and overall health. However, together with your dentist, you can treat them safely. At the end of the follow-up visit, the doctor can suggest a filling, a capsule or even a devitalization. Once the damaged tooth is repaired, focus your attention on maintaining the health of the rest of the mouth. By brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, you can greatly improve your dental hygiene.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating Rotten Teeth
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of tooth decay
Make sure you keep an eye on your teeth between visits to the dentist and the next. Notice if you see discolored spots on the surface of your teeth. The spots can be black, brown or even whitish. Another worrying symptom is if your teeth hurt.
- The pain of a rotten tooth can be severe and persistent or caused only by heat and cold.
- Constant bad breath is a sign of tooth damage.
Step 2. Treat tooth decay as soon as you notice it
This disease causes holes in the teeth, which harmful bacteria can get into. If you don't cure it, the tooth can only get worse. Another cavity may even form in the same tooth.
Step 3. Agree to a filling for a partially rotten tooth
If only part of the tooth is damaged, it is often possible to fill the cavity caused by caries. Ask your dentist what types of fillings are available, including silver, composite resin, or copper fillings. The filling is done by the dentist in their office and usually requires only local anesthesia.
It is possible that your dentist will suggest a capsule or other procedure after preparing the tooth for the filling
Step 4. Have a capsule installed if the tooth cannot be saved
If the tooth cannot be repaired or is already compromised by multiple fillings, you may need a capsule. With this procedure, the dentist applies a capsule over the entire tooth, which will be filed to remove the rotten parts. This procedure usually takes a few hours and is done under local anesthesia.
If the dentist believes that the roots are also dead, he may devitalize the tooth before covering it with the capsule
Step 5. Undergo surgery for periodontitis
If you have experienced severe bone loss due to rotting teeth or if your gums are set back to the point of pain, your dentist can suggest corrective surgery. This is a procedure that is done in the dental office, where the doctor places chips of healthy bone in the affected areas. The dentist can also graft new tissue where your gums are too far back.
Step 6. Remove the tooth if it is rotting the gums
If a tooth has become bad enough to cause gum problems, your dentist may suggest that you remove it completely. This procedure requires local anesthesia and can usually be done directly in the dental office. After extraction, the dentist can insert a bridge to fill the empty space in the mouth.
Method 2 of 3: Preventive Care
Step 1. Schedule a follow-up visit every 6 months
During these sessions, the dentist will check all previous operations he has done and look for potential problems. They can suggest a treatment plan that requires additional visits or give you a medication to fight infections.
- For example, if your dentist suspects you have gingivitis, they can prescribe a mouthwash to use.
- Having your teeth cleaned twice a year prevents plaque buildup, which leads to tooth decay.
Step 2. Use mouthwash as directed by your dentist
If he prescribes a mouthwash, use it according to his instructions and do not shorten the treatment. Mouthwash can prepare your mouth for surgery or help you avoid infections after the operation. It can also reduce the chance of other teeth rotting.
Mouthwashes usually have a measuring cup in the cap, plus they contain specific instructions on how often and how long to rinse
Step 3. Ask for fluoride treatment
Your dentist can apply this treatment to your teeth during regular visits. This coating protects teeth from cavities and makes fillings last longer. Fluoride has very few side effects.
- Ask your dentist about fluoride toothpastes. If you can't get full treatment, those products are a great alternative to protect your teeth with fluoride.
- If your child has tooth decay, be careful with toothpastes and fluoride treatments, which can accelerate damage to children's teeth.
Step 4. Consider having your teeth professionally sealed
The dentist can apply this coating with a brush. The procedure only takes a few minutes, but it can protect your teeth from further damage. In particular, it is a good idea to have the molars sealed.
Hardly any dentist would seal teeth that are already rotting from cavities. In that case, the operation would seal the harmful bacteria inside. Ask your dentist what the options are for your already damaged teeth
Step 5. Request a deep gum cleaning from your dentist
If your teeth rot due to constant gum problems, your dentist can slow down the problem by cleaning them inside. It is a procedure that is carried out in the dental office, in which the doctor removes the gums from the teeth and cleans the exposed areas with specific tools.
Method 3 of 3: Maintain Tooth Health
Step 1. Brush your teeth three times a day
Brush them well in the morning, after lunch and before bed. Make sure you scrub your teeth and gums. Mentally chant "Happy Birthday" as you wash them, so you can be sure you have cleaned them long enough. By brushing your teeth regularly and correctly, you will limit the presence of harmful bacteria and plaque in your mouth.
- If you have a young child with bad teeth, watch them brush their teeth.
- Brushing your teeth too often can ruin them and lead to tooth decay. Try not to wash them more than three times a day if you don't get special instructions from your dentist.
Step 2. Use dental floss and mouthwash before and after brushing your teeth
With the floss, you remove food scraps and plaque between your teeth. It also protects your gums from gingivitis, which can cause your teeth to rot. Try to floss at least once a day. Rinsing your mouth after brushing is also a good way to get rid of harmful bacteria.
Be aware that many mouthwashes are unsuitable for children, even if they have cavities
Step 3. Have fewer sweets and sugary drinks
The sugars create dangerous bacteria in the mouth, which feed on the outer surface of the teeth. Instead of drinking fruit juices or sodas, go for sugar-free water and tea. Avoid sugary snacks, eat fruits and vegetables. Replace the candy with sugar-free gum.
