How to Fix Rotting Teeth

Co-authored by Tu Anh Vu, DMD

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

Rotting teeth can impact your appearance and harm your overall health. However, by working with your dentist, you can safely fix your teeth. After your dentist has evaluated you, they may suggest fillings, caps, or even root canals. Once you’ve fixed the damaged teeth, then focus your attention on keeping the rest of your mouth healthy. Brushing and flossing regularly can go a long way towards good dental hygiene.

Things You Should Know

If you have a tooth that's only slightly damaged, your dentist may be able to fix it with a filling.
To treat more extensive rotting, the dentist may suggest filing down the tooth and covering it with a crown or a cap.
If the tooth is completely damaged, it's probably best to remove it entirely.
Your dentist may recommend surgery if the damage from tooth decay has affected the bone in your jaw.
Talk to your dentist about ways to keep the damage from getting worse, like using a special mouthwash, getting in-office fluoride treatments, or having your teeth professionally sealed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Treating Rotten Teeth

1
Recognize the symptoms of tooth decay. Make sure to keep an eye on your teeth in between dental visits.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.} Watch for a discolored spot on the surface of the tooth. It could be close to black, brown, or even off-white. If the tooth is painful, that is another sign.^{[2]
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- The pain from a rotting tooth may be severe and ongoing or only triggered by hot or cold temperatures.
- Continual bad breath is another sign of tooth damage.
2
Treat cavities as soon as you notice them. A cavity is a hole in your tooth. These gaps make it possible for damaging bacteria to get inside your tooth. If a cavity remains untreated, the tooth will only get worse. It can even lead to another cavity in the same tooth.^{[3]
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3
Consent to a filling for partly rotten teeth. If only part of a tooth is rotten, it may be possible to fill a cavity hole. Talk with your dentist about the types of fillings that are available, including silver, composite resin, or copper. The filling process is done in-office and usually only requires local anesthesia.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.}
- However, it’s possible that your dentist will suggest a crown or another procedure after working to prepare a tooth for a filling.
4
Get a crown if the tooth is not salvageable. If the tooth is beyond repair or compromised by multiple fillings, you may need to get it crowned. This is where your dentist will place a “cap” or molded covering over the entire tooth.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.} The tooth itself will be filed away to remove any rotten portions. This procedure usually takes a few hours and requires a local anesthetic.^{[6]
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Research source}
- You may also need to get a root canal before a crown if the dentist believes the roots of the tooth are dead as well.
5
Agree to surgery for periodontitis. If you have severe bone loss due to rotting teeth or if your gums have receded to a painful extent, your dentist may suggest corrective surgery. This is an in-office procedure where your dentist will place tiny shards of good bone in rotted areas. Your dentist may also graft new tissue on to spots where your gums have receded.^{[7]
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Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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6
Remove the tooth entirely if it is rotting your gums. If the tooth is decayed to the point where it’s causing gum problems, your dentist may advise pulling it out completely. This is a procedure that requires local anesthesia and can usually be done in your dentist’s office. After the tooth is pulled, your dentist may put a bridge in to hold the space in your mouth.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting Preventative Care

1
Get a dental check-up every 6 months. During these visits your dentist will check on any past work that’s been done and look for any potential problems. They may suggest a treatment plan that requires additional visits or even give you medication to fight any infections.^{[9]
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- For example, if your dentist suspects gingivitis, they may give you a prescription mouthwash to use.
- Getting twice yearly teeth cleanings also prevents the accumulation of plaque, which can lead to cavities.
2
Take any mouthwashes as directed by your dentist. If you are prescribed a mouthwash by your dentist, use it according to their directions and do not cut the treatment short. A mouthwash can prepare your mouth for surgery or it can help you to avoid infections afterwards. It might also reduce the possibility of other teeth rotting.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
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Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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- The mouthwash will likely come with a dosage cup for you to use and specific instructions regarding how long and how often to rinse.
3
Ask for fluoride treatments. Your dentist can apply a fluoride treatment to your teeth during a regular office visit. This coating protects your teeth from additional rotting, and can make fillings last longer. Fluoride carries very few side effects.^{[11]
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- Ask your dentist about fluoride toothpaste. This is a great way to get extra fluoride if a coating treatment is not an option.
- If your child is suffering from rotting teeth, be careful when using fluoride toothpaste or treatments. Exposing a child to extra fluoride can actually speed up any damage to teeth.
4
Consider getting your teeth professionally sealed. This is a coating that your dentist applies with a small brush to your teeth. It takes only minutes, but it can protect your teeth from additional damage. Getting your back teeth (molars) sealed is an especially good idea.^{[12]
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- Most dentists will not seal teeth that are already beginning to rot due to cavities. This would only trap the bad bacteria inside. Talk with your dentist about other options for those damaged teeth.
5
Request a deep gum cleaning from your dentist. If your rotting teeth are due to persistent gum problems, your dentist may be able to slow the decay by cleaning inside the gum flaps. This is an in-office procedure where your dentist will pull your gums away from your teeth and use tools to clean the exposed areas.^{[13]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaing Healthy Teeth

1
Brush your teeth 3 times daily. Get in a good brushing session in the morning, after lunch, and before bedtime. Make sure that you brush your teeth, gum line, and gums. Sing the “Happy Birthday” song in your head while brushing to make sure that you’ve gone long enough. Brushing your teeth regularly and correctly can reduce bad bacteria and plaque in your mouth.^{[14]
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- If you have a young child who suffers from rotting teeth, you may want to supervise their brushing.
- Over-brushing can wear down your teeth over time and lead to cavities. Try not to brush your teeth more than 3 times per day, unless your dentist suggests otherwise.
2
Floss and use mouthwash before and after brushing. Flossing removes hidden food and plaque between your teeth. It also helps protect your gums from gingivitis, which can cause rotting teeth. Try to floss at least once a day. Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after brushing is also a good way to kill off the bad bacteria in your mouth.^{[15]
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- Be aware that most mouthwashes are not okay for children to use, even if they suffer from rotting teeth.
3
Limit your consumption of sugary treats or drinks. Sugars create nasty bacteria in your mouth that eat away at your teeth’s outer surface. Instead of drinking sodas or juices, choose water or unsweetened tea. Avoid sugary snacks and go with fresh fruits and veggies. Replace sugary candies in your diet with sugar-free gum.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

Can you fix rotten teeth?

Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist
Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a board certified dentist who runs her private practice, Tu's Dental, in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

Tu Anh Vu, DMD

Board Certified Dentist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It's not possible to fix rotting teeth. If it's already rotting, then that means that there is the decay that's noticeable, that you're noticing yourself. So it does require dental professionals to come in and remove the decay and then fill it in.

Warnings

Stopping all tobacco use or smoking is another way to fix or avoid rotting teeth. Smoking causes both gum and teeth damage.^{[18]
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Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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