Fixing rotten teeth
Rotten teeth usually mean advanced decay, treated by removing infected tooth structure and restoring, disinfecting, or removing the tooth.
The short answer
Rotten teeth are treated according to remaining tooth structure: a dentist removes decay and restores the tooth, treats the pulp with a root canal when possible, or extracts it when it cannot be predictably repaired.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
“Rotten” usually describes tooth decay, in which acids produced by plaque bacteria dissolve enamel and dentine. As the cavity deepens it can reach the pulp, the living tissue containing nerves and blood vessels, causing pain or infection.
What can you do next?
Keep the area clean with fluoride toothpaste, avoid chewing hard foods on a weakened tooth, and do not put aspirin or caustic substances on the gum. A dentist can remove softened tissue, place a filling or crown when enough tooth remains, or plan root canal treatment before restoration.
When should you seek dental care?
Book dental care promptly for a cavity, persistent toothache, bad taste, pain on biting, or a broken dark tooth. Facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing requires urgent dental or medical attention because infection can spread beyond the tooth.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask how much sound tooth remains, whether the pulp is inflamed or infected, and whether the tooth can be restored after decay removal. Ask which restoration is appropriate, whether extraction is unavoidable, and how a missing tooth would be replaced if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can a rotten tooth be repaired without extraction?
Often a tooth can be restored if enough sound structure and root support remain, but a non-restorable tooth may need removal.
Does a filling remove all decay?
A filling restores a tooth after decayed tissue is removed; deep decay may instead require pulp treatment and a stronger restoration.