Have A Badly Discolored Tooth? What To Do Now To Save It
If one of your teeth is starting to look discolored like it's dying but there is no pain or sensitivity, you want to get to the dentist to see what is going on. If it's possible, you want to save the tooth from getting decayed by infection and losing the root. There are many things that could be causing the tooth to have some discoloration, but until you get to the dentist, it will be difficult to find out what the true culprit is. Here are some of the things to talk with the dentist about when at your appointment.
Dying Tooth Root
The root that connects the tooth to the gums and anchors the tooth in the mouth may be dying. If this happens, then the tooth can start to turn a blue or grey color, or even black, and then the root and the tooth will die.
Irreversible damage to the root could mean it's too late to save the root, but a root canal can help you save the tooth so you don't have to get a fake tooth, also known as a dental implant. A bridge would be another solution to this problem.
Gum Bacteria Discoloration
Bacteria that accumulates around the tooth and gum line can cause staining and odors. If the bacteria is causing staining, the teeth need to be cleaned and the gum tissue may need a deep clean from a specialist. With professional whitening agents and light whitening technology, along with at-home kits from the dentist, you may be able to restore the whiteness or get the teeth white again.
Tooth Discoloration from Aging
A lot of natural factors including diet and dental products over years can lead to the discoloration of your teeth. If whitening agents aren't able to help you restore the whiteness, or the teeth are in such poor condition that they need to be pulled from the mouth, it may be time to consider a dental implant in place of the rotted tooth.
There are a lot of different problems that can cause a tooth to get discolored, and if your oral health is at risk, you want to be sure that you get the area x-rayed and examined by an oral health professional right away. Your dentist will be able to tell you what the next method of treatment is for the tooth and for your oral health problems.
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