If your child’s tooth has turned black, it might be your first thought to get it removed. But does a dead baby tooth need to be removed, or can the tooth be saved? Here’s what the Brisbane Paediatric Dentists have to say about it!
What is a Dead Baby Tooth?
A dead baby tooth, also known as a non-vital or necrotic tooth, is a primary tooth that no longer has a living nerve inside it. This condition occurs when the blood supply to the tooth is cut off, causing the nerve tissue to die.
If you notice your child’s tooth going black, there’s probably a dying nerve in the tooth. This can cause pain and discomfort, so it needs to be addressed by a dentist as soon as possible.
Causes of a Dead Baby Tooth
Black teeth in infants can be caused by a number of different things. Here are the most common reasons behind dead baby teeth:
- Trauma: An injury to the mouth, like a fall or a blow, can damage the blood vessels and nerves inside the tooth. This disruption can lead to the death of the tooth’s nerve.
- Tooth Decay: Cavities that penetrate deep into the tooth can expose the nerve to bacteria, leading to infection and eventually the death of the nerve.
- Infection: An untreated dental infection can spread to the pulp of the tooth, causing the nerve to die. Good dental hygiene is important to help prevent infection and decay.
Signs and Symptoms of a Dead Baby Tooth
Here’s how to tell if your child has a dead baby tooth. These symptoms are sure signs!
Visual Changes
A dead baby tooth often undergoes quite noticeable visual changes. The most common sign is discoloration, where the tooth may turn grey, black, yellow, or light brown. This change occurs due to the pulp inside the tooth being damaged and no longer receiving blood flow, similar to a bruise. The lack of blood supply results in a darker appearance as the tooth dies.
Pain and Sensitivity
Children with a dead baby tooth might experience pain and sensitivity. This can show up as a constant ache or discomfort when eating or drinking, especially with hot or cold items. The pain happens because the dying tooth can still have nerve endings that become irritated. It may also become sensitive to touch or pressure.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms of a dead baby tooth include swelling or a red bump on the gums around the affected tooth, which can indicate an infection. The presence of a bad breath or a foul taste in the child’s mouth is also common due to the bacterial buildup in the dead tissue. These symptoms suggest the tooth is decaying and potentially causing more oral health issues.
Diagnosing a Dead Baby Tooth
As soon as you see the signs in your child’s teeth, it’s time to visit the paediatric dentist. The dental professional will rule out any other conditions so they know how to treat it right. Here’s how the dentist will diagnose dead or dying baby teeth.
- Clinical Examination: The dentist will start with a thorough visual examination of the tooth and surrounding tissues. They check for discolouration, swelling, and other visible signs of a dead tooth.
- X-Rays: Dental X-rays are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. They help in visualising the internal structures of the tooth and reveal any signs of infection, like abscesses, or the extent of decay and damage to the tooth’s pulp.
- Pulp Vitality Tests: These tests assess the health of the tooth’s pulp. They may involve applying cold or electric stimuli to the tooth to check for sensitivity, showing whether the pulp is alive or not.
Does a Dead Baby Tooth Need to be pulled?
Not always. But while a dead baby tooth might not need to be pulled immediately, it’s important to consult a paediatric dentist. They will assess the situation and determine if extraction is necessary to prevent infection or discomfort. If you’re worried about our child’s teeth, get in touch with Brisbane Paediatric Dentist, and we’ll put your mind at ease!
Treatment Options for a Dead Baby Tooth
Once your child has seen the dentist, they’ll most likely undergo some sort of treatment for the black tooth. Extraction is common, but not the only choice.
Extraction (Pulling the Tooth)
Extraction is often the simplest and quickest option for a dead baby tooth. The procedure involves numbing the area around the tooth and gently removing it. This can help prevent infection and further complications. It’s especially recommended if the tooth is causing pain or has become infected.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment for a baby tooth, also known as pulpotomy or pulpectomy, removes the infected or dead pulp from the tooth. The procedure helps save the tooth and prevents the spread of infection to surrounding teeth and gums.
A crown is often placed over the tooth after the treatment to provide strength and protection. This option is typically considered when the tooth can’t be removed, as it helps maintain proper spacing for permanent teeth.
Other Options
Other treatment options may include dental fillings or crowns if the tooth structure is still intact. These treatments can help restore function and appearance while preventing further decay. In some cases, a space maintainer may be recommended to maintain proper alignment of the surrounding teeth if the tooth is lost or removed.
Consequences of not Treating a Dead Baby Tooth
If you notice your child’s tooth going black, you shouldn’t ignore it. Here’s why getting dental care for your child is a must.
Health Risks
Ignoring a dead baby tooth can lead to several health risks. A dead tooth can become infected, leading to abscesses and pain. Infections can spread to surrounding tissues, causing swelling and fever. In severe cases, untreated infections can impact overall health, affecting your child’s ability to eat and speak comfortably.
Dental Development Issues
A dead baby tooth left untreated can disrupt normal dental development. Baby teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth, guiding them into the correct position. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely due to decay or infection, neighbouring teeth can shift into the empty space.
This can lead to misaligned teeth and bite problems, necessitating orthodontic treatment in the future. Also, the loss of a baby tooth can affect the development of jawbones and muscles, possibly leading to long-term dental issues.
The Tooth Extraction Process
The Extraction Procedure
The tooth extraction procedure begins with administering local or general anaesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. Once the area is numb, the dentist will use specialised tools to loosen the tooth and gently remove it from the socket.
If the tooth is impacted, a small incision might be made in the gum, and the tooth may be removed in sections. The procedure is usually quick, and there may be some pressure but no pain. After the tooth is removed, the dentist will clean the socket and may place stitches to promote healing.
Post-Extraction Care
After the extraction, make sure your child follows post-care instructions to promote healing and avoid complications. The dentist may prescribe painkillers, and you can help your child feel better by applying an ice pack in a clean cloth.
Keep your child from rinsing, spitting, or using a straw for the first 24 hours to prevent dislodging the blood clot in the gum. Stick to soft foods and avoid hot drinks. Keep the extraction site clean by gently rinsing with salt water after 24 hours.
Prevalence of Tooth Decay in Children
- Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in childhood and the most prevalent oral disease in Australian children.
- One-third of Australian preschoolers have never visited a dentist!
- One-third of Australian children don’t clean their teeth twice a day.
- 23% of parents think their children only need a dentist if there’s a problem with their teeth.
- 77% of parents don’t know they should take their child for their first dentist’s visit at the age of one!
FAQs on Does a Dead Baby Tooth Need to Be Pulled?
Can a Dead Baby Tooth Fall Out on its own?
Yes, in some cases, a dead baby tooth may fall out on its own, especially if it’s close to the time when it would naturally be lost. However, it’s important to consult a dentist to make sure there are no complications.
How long does it take for a Tooth To Die after an injury?
The time it takes for a tooth to die after an injury varies. It can happen quickly, within days, or it may take months. On the other hand, the tooth may not die at all. Regular monitoring is key to make sure you catch problems early.
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