What is a Dead Tooth?

To understand that a tooth can die, you must first understand how it is living. A tooth consists of three layers: the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp. While what we see day in and day out is the tooth enamel, it is the inner layers of the teeth that keep them alive. The dentin layer and the pulp of a tooth consist of living tissue, nerves, and blood vessels that give life to the teeth within the mouth. Because all teeth are living tissues connected to the body's blood supply, damage or serious trauma can effectively knock the life out of a tooth.

The two main causes of a dead tooth include a cavity or bacterial infection that has gone untreated and trauma to the mouth. Many people underestimate the severity of a dental cavity, and this can lead to serious consequences for oral health. Because the tooth is a living part of the body, infection and decay within a tooth can travel to other areas of the mouth. As a cavity worsens, the decay can travel deep into the inner layers of the tooth and reach the nerves and blood vessels. As long as the infection goes untreated, it can attack the living tissues inside the tooth until the blood supply is cut off and the tooth dies. A dental infection of this severity often does not go unnoticed because of the pain involved; however, some people choose to ignore it out of fear of the dentist. What every dentist wants you to know is that an infected tooth is painful, but treatment doesn't have to be.

The second most common cause of a dead tooth is trauma or injury to the mouth. Children are especially prone to receiving a knock to the face, but adults who participate in recreational activities or who are involved in an accident are also susceptible to injury that can lead to a dead tooth. When a severe blow to the facial area cuts off the blood supply to a tooth, it can die quickly. No living tissue within the body can survive without a constant blood supply, and a tooth is no different.

At Green Dentistry, we are here to help you achieve and maintain the healthiest mouth possible. If you fear that you have a dead tooth due to pain or discoloration, please contact our dental practice right away. With early intervention your tooth may be saved, or if damage or infection has progressed too far, we can help you restore your smile.