Tooth rotted out
A badly decayed tooth may have exposed dentine, an infected pulp, sharp edges, or a root that still needs treatment.
What may remain inside a badly decayed tooth?
A badly decayed tooth may have exposed dentine, an infected pulp, sharp edges, or a root that still needs treatment.
How does decay destroy enamel and dentine?
Tooth decay removes enamel and dentine through bacterial acid damage. A collapsed visible crown does not show whether the pulp, root, or surrounding bone is infected.
What can you do while waiting for dental care?
Keep the area clean, chew on the other side, and do not put aspirin or chemicals on the tooth. A dentist may restore it, perform root canal treatment, or extract it if it cannot be repaired.
When does a decayed tooth need prompt care?
Arrange prompt care for swelling, fever, pus, worsening pain, or a bad taste. Breathing or swallowing difficulty is an emergency.
What should you ask about saving the decayed tooth?
Ask whether the tooth is restorable, whether the pulp is infected, and which examination and radiograph are needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main thing to know?
A badly decayed tooth may have exposed dentine, an infected pulp, sharp edges, or a root that still needs treatment.
What should I do if it persists?
Ask whether the tooth is restorable, whether the pulp is infected, and which examination and radiograph are needed.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.