Cleaning your teeth is an essential part of your oral health habits, and it is not just to keep them white. Cleaning the teeth goes way beyond that. Your teeth are made up of three different layers: the enamel of the teeth is the hard, white surface that is visible when you smile, the dentin and the pulp are the two inner layers of the teeth that contain their life. By keeping your mouth clean, you are helping to ensure that your teeth are kept alive and well, because not doing so can cause your teeth to die.
A dead tooth is a tooth that has been cut off from a constant supply of blood. As with all areas of the body, every living tissue must have a blood supply to remain alive. Dental decay and trauma can have a negative impact on the life of your smile. Cavities are a form of dental decay, and if they are not treated promptly the decay and infection can spread throughout your tooth. When the infection reaches the inner layers of the teeth, it will begin to attack the nerve fibers (causing significant pain) and the blood vessels (compromising blood flow). If an infection is not treated, it will infect the tooth so severely that the blood vessels will become separated from the tooth; that is how a dead tooth comes to be from a simple cavity.
Trauma or severe injury to the mouth can also cause a tooth to die. When a tooth is knocked out of the mouth, it is immediately severed from its blood supply. In many cases, knocked out teeth cannot be saved simply because the blood vessels are instantly cut off from the tooth. However, there are instances when a tooth can be saved, which is why it is imperative that you visit the dentist immediately any time a tooth or mouth injury occurs.
If you have any concerns that you may have a dead tooth, please contact Riverheart Family Dentistry today. We are here to help you achieve and maintain proper oral health. A dead tooth simply cannot afford to be ignored. The infection that caused a dead tooth can quickly spread throughout your entire mouth, compromising the integrity of your smile. A knocked out tooth that is not replaced can also cause serious long-term consequences. Riverheart Family Dentistry is the dental practice to trust for superior and comfortable care. Call us today.
