Rotten Teeth: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Causes of Rotten Teeth

Your teeth are made up of three distinct layers:  

• Enamel is the hard, translucent, outermost layer that protects the tooth from damage. 

• Dentin is a hard, yellowish-white tissue that makes up the bulk of a tooth’s structure and is located underneath the enamel. 

• Pulp is the soft, innermost part of a tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that provides nutrients and keeps the tooth alive. 

 Rotten teeth can develop when the enamel breaks down and bacteria starts to erode its way into the dentin and pulp.  So, what causes teeth to rot? Read on to find out.

Diet

Sugary, starchy foods can accumulate on your teeth, build up over time, and form a sticky plaque.

That plaque contains bacteria that release acids that erode tooth enamel. If left untreated, the same acids can demineralize the enamel and the dentin and eventually attack the pulp at the center of the tooth.  

In advanced cases, untreated tooth decay can lead to a dental abscess—an infection that may spread to surrounding tissues or, in rare cases, the bloodstream, increasing the risk of serious health complications, such as cellulitis or sepsis. 

Poor Oral Hygiene 

Your oral care routine is crucial when it comes to preventing tooth decay. Keeping your teeth clean is the first line of defense against the plaque bacteria that erode your enamel and, eventually, lead to decay. 

To care for your teeth, brush at least twice a day with a stannous fluoride-containing toothpaste, floss daily, use mouthwash, and see your dentist for regular cleanings. 

Other Causes of Rotten Teeth 

Acid Reflux 

Acid reflux can expose teeth to stomach acid, causing enamel erosion leaving your teeth vulnerable to bacteria, cavities, and eventual decay. This mostly happens to the teeth in the back of the mouth, since they’re closest to stomach acid exposure. 

Dry Mouth 

Saliva acts as a natural defense against the bacteria and acids that can cause tooth decay. 

Without saliva — a condition known as dry mouth (or xerostomia) — to wash away food particles and neutralize acidity, plaque can build up more easily and erode the protective layer on top of your teeth. 

Symptoms of Rotten Teeth

Pain When Biting 

A major symptom of rotting teeth is pain when biting or chewing. 

This typically means that the decay process has reached the tooth’s pulp (which contains all the nerves for that tooth). Pressure from biting and chewing can irritate those nerves and send pain signals to your brain. 

However, pain when biting or chewing can also be caused by gum disease or other oral health issues. If you suffer from pain that lasts more than a day or two, see a dentist right away. 

Sensitivity to Hot and Cold 

Another symptom of rotting teeth is sensitivity to hot and cold. 

The enamel on the outside of your teeth protects the dentin and pulp from extreme temperatures. When the enamel has a hole in it, the heat or cold can penetrate the nerves inside the tooth and result in increased sensitivity. 

Sensitivity to Sweet or Sour Foods 

Rotting teeth can also cause you to develop a sensitivity to sweet or sour foods. This happens for much the same reason as the other rotten teeth symptoms mentioned above. 

Once sweet foods combine with bacteria from oral mucosa, they can form acids that penetrate the protective enamel coating, cause sensitivity and even pain. Also, acidic foods can worsen erosion and increase sensitivity. 

Colored Spots, Holes, or Pits 

Visible brown, black or white spots on the surface of your teeth can indicate that bacteria has started to eat away at the enamel. In the early stages of decay, you’ll notice the spots are white, while later stages of decay will produce darker brown or black spots. 

Similarly, visible holes or pits in the surface of your teeth may mean that tooth decay has started to develop in those spots. Typically, those spots will be accompanied by the first few symptoms on this list: pain when biting and sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, and sour. 

If you notice colored spots, holes, or pits on the surface of your teeth, schedule an appointment to visit your dentist right away. 

Bad Breath or Unpleasant Taste in Your Mouth 

When teeth decay, the buildup of bacteria can start to smell, causing bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. 

Swelling Gums 

When a tooth decays to the point that it becomes rotten, the bacteria can spread to the surrounding gum tissue, resulting in inflammation and swelling. 

Treatments for Rotten Teeth

Treatments for rotting teeth depend on the extent of the decay. Here are some of the most common treatments. 

Fillings 

Fillings can help stop the spread of tooth decay by “sealing off” or plugging the holes caused by cavities. Fillings are made of various materials, including tooth-colored composite resin, porcelain, or a mix of several dentally safe materials. 

Composite resin fillings are often preferred because they look the best, but amalgam fillings used to be the only choice before the introduction of resin materials  

Keep in mind this line of defense is only effective if the bacteria that causes tooth decay is only in the dentin. Once the hole or holes reach the pulp, only a root canal can fix the problem. 

Root Canal 

If the infection that causes tooth decay reaches the pulp, your dentist may recommend a root canal. 

For a root canal, a dentist numbs the area around the affected tooth, drills into the tooth, and removes the infected pulp and bacteria. The dentist then cleans and shapes the canals inside the tooth and fills the space to seal all openings. 

Root canals can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, including: 

• Relieving pain and swelling 

• Preventing further infection 

• Saving the damaged tooth 

• Improving oral health and function 

Crowns

Crowns are used to repair teeth that have been severely misshaped by tooth decay.  Once a dentist removes the infection — often through a root canal — they will install a crown over what remains of the repaired tooth. This serves as a cap or covering that makes the tooth stronger and improves the way it looks and functions.

Implants or a Dental Bridge

If the rotting teeth are beyond repair, the best course may be to remove them completely and replace them with implants or a dental bridge.  Implants are titanium screws that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to serve as artificial roots for replacement teeth. A dental bridge is a dental appliance that replaces one or two missing teeth by attaching artificial teeth to the natural teeth or to implants on either side of the gap.

Dentures

If many rotten teeth need to be removed or other treatments are not an option, a dentist may recommend dentures, which are removable prosthetics that replace the missing teeth and improve appearance, function, and speech.

Keep Your Smile Beautiful with Oral-B 

Avoid the pain and complications caused by rotten teeth by maintaining healthy teeth and gums. The right oral care routing with a highly effective toothbrush — like the Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush Series — can make a huge difference. 

iO’s dentist-inspired round brush head perfectly adapts to each tooth for a professional clean feeling every time. 

With smart pressure sensors, custom modes, and guided brushing, the Oral-B Electric Toothbrush Series cleans in those hard-to-reach areas, where bacterial plaque hides and manual toothbrushes often miss, so you can keep your smile bright!

Sources 

• https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay 

• https://www.healthline.com/health/rotten-teeth#causes 

• https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/cavities-tooth-decay.html