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Make sure to keep an eye on your teeth in between dental visits. 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. 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. 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. 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. However, it's possible that your dentist will suggest a crown or another procedure after working to prepare a tooth for a filling. 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. The tooth itself will be filed away to remove any rotten portions. This procedure usually takes a few hours and requires a local anesthetic. 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. 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. 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.
Recognize the symptoms of tooth decay. Treat cavities as soon as you notice them. Consent to a filling for partly rotten teeth. Get a crown if the tooth is not salvageable. Agree to surgery for periodontitis. Remove the tooth entirely if it is rotting your gums.