How Long Can A Dead Tooth Stay In Your Mouth?
A dead tooth can sit in your mouth for weeks, months, or even years. But just because it “stays” doesn’t mean it should. It is medically unsafe, and infection risk increases significantly over time.
In this blog, we talk about how long a dead tooth can stay in your mouth and when it starts becoming a threat to your oral health. Let’s get into the details!
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What Does It Mean When a Tooth Dies?
A tooth is considered dead when the pulp inside no longer receives blood. This usually happens because of deep tooth decay, an untreated infection, trauma from an injury, deep cracks or repeated dental procedures. A dead tooth can show the following symptoms:
- Cause pain. But a fully dead tooth may not hurt at all unless an infection forms at the root
- Swelling around the tooth
- A darker color
- A bad smell or taste coming from the area
Some people, however, may not feel much pain at first, which makes the condition easy to ignore. Though not always an immediate emergency, necrotic teeth carry a continuous risk of infection.
If It’s Not Hurting, Can I Just Leave It?
A dead tooth does not necessarily hurt and can stay in your mouth as long as you want it to stay – sometimes even years. But this does not mean that it is safe. A dead tooth can lead to infection, affecting overall health.
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Risks of Keeping a Dead Tooth
A dead tooth can lead to several problems, such as:
1. Infection and Abscesses
A dead tooth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. This can lead to a painful abscess, which may spread into your jaw or even other areas of your body.
2. Bone Loss in the Jaw
If the infection reaches the bone, it can start destroying the bone that supports your teeth.
3. Harm to Neighboring Teeth
Inflammation and infection can even spread to nearby teeth and gums, putting your whole mouth at risk.
4. Visible Darkening
Dead teeth often discolor, which can affect how your smile looks and may lower your confidence. The tooth darkens because blood breakdown pigments enter the dentin after nerve death.
5. Overall Health Risks
If a dental abscess spreads, in severe cases, infection can spread to facial spaces, sinuses, or, if untreated, into the bloodstream.
Should You Treat a Dead Tooth Right Away?
YES. Dentists strongly recommend quick treatment because the longer you wait, the more complicated the problem becomes. Treatment is either a root canal to save the tooth or extraction if the tooth cannot be restored.
Final Thoughts
Even though a dead tooth can stay in your mouth for a long time, it’s not harmless. The longer it remains untreated, the higher the chances of infection, bone damage, and other complications.
If you suspect something is wrong with a tooth, consult our expert dentist, Dr. Yoni Mizrahi, at Cloud 9 Dental of Encino for potential treatment options. Call us at (818) 986-7411 to book your consultation.