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Proper oral hygiene is a key role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Untreated caries causes inflammation of the pulp because it penetrates deep into the enamel and dentin, such a condition requires immediate dental intervention in order to avoid tooth necrosis. What symptoms might pulp gangrene suggest?
Tooth gangrene can be manifested primarily by a strong, pulsating toothache, with this type of ailments the enamel is not only dull, but also discolored. Untreated gangrene of the tooth can cause complications that are difficult to treat, for example, periostitis or abscess.
Tooth gangrene – causes
The most common cause of tooth gangrene is poor dental and oral hygiene. It is not enough just to brush your teeth at least twice a day, flossing, mouth rinsing and proper tongue hygiene are equally important. A proper diet is also important. A large amount of carbohydrates in meals accelerates cariogenic processes. Bacteria enter the tooth chamber, attack the pulp, which in turn causes pulp necrosis, and in the last stage can lead to gangrene.
Tooth gangrene – symptoms
Of course, pulp gangrene is a severe pain, but not only that. Tooth gangrene is characterized by a specific putrid odor caused by anaerobic bacteria that turn the pulp into gangrene. Tooth gangrene is dangerous to distant organs and tissues because toxic substances are released from the gangrene. Tooth pulp gangrene may be complete, including all canals and a complete chamber, or partial gangrene, including, for example, only one canal.
Other symptoms suggesting gangrene include, of course, toothache even when biting, eating hot, cold and sweet foods, a damaged tooth crown, dull and discolored enamel. The patient may experience a mild, dim toothache at first, especially at night, and frogs are also sensitive to percussion.
Tooth gangrene – treatment
Tooth gangrene is a condition that cannot be relieved with painkillers. X-ray examination is necessary for proper diagnosis. After diagnosing the disease, the dentist should use antiseptic root canal treatment, which is commonly known as tooth poisoning. Next, the dentist should eliminate the tooth tissues infected with caries, and grease the scale masses using specialized endodontic files. It is necessary to develop the canals, clean the tooth of microbes and dry the tooth cavity.
Tooth gangrene is not a disease that can be cured in one visit. On subsequent ones, the doctor puts on a disinfecting insert, which the patient should wear in the tooth for several days. The ducts should then be drained. Root canal treatment ends with filling the canals and placing a permanent filling. In a situation where tooth gangrene is diagnosed too late, the patient should decide to have the tooth extracted.
Tooth gangrene – consequences
Untreated tooth gangrene can lead to many complications that are dangerous for the body:
- periostitis
- tissue infection
- bone destruction at the tooth root
- formation of inflammatory changes, for example cysts, cocci, fistulas
Tooth gangrene, which is not diagnosed and treated in time, may cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which results in systemic diseases, e.g. myocarditis, glomerulonephritis or even sepsis.