Dead Tooth Symptoms: Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

If there’s one thing most of us avoid thinking about, it’s the idea of a tooth dying. Teeth feel pretty permanent. They sit there, doing their job, and we kind of assume they’ll keep going as long as we brush, floss, and avoid opening bottle caps with them. But here’s the thing: a tooth can actually lose its vitality, and when it does, it’s trouble you really don’t want to delay dealing with.

Before we dive into the signs and red flags, let’s clear up one thing. When people talk about a dead tooth, they’re describing a tooth where the inner tissue, the pulp, has lost its blood supply. That means no nutrients, no circulation, and no ability for the tooth to heal itself. Once that happens, the tooth becomes vulnerable to infection, discoloration, and a long list of other problems you absolutely want to stay ahead of.

So let’s break down the dead tooth symptoms you should be paying attention to, the subtle clues you might not realize are connected, and what it really feels like when a tooth is on its way out.

Common Symptoms of a Dying or Dead Tooth

Before diving into the warning signs, it’s worth noting that certain factors can make teeth more prone to problems in the first place. For example, misaligned or crowded teeth can be harder to clean properly, which may increase the risk of decay, infection, and ultimately, pulp damage. Understanding this underlying factor can help explain why some teeth are more vulnerable and why spotting early symptoms is so important.

Discoloration

Discoloration is one of the earliest and, honestly, most obvious indicators that something’s wrong.

But not all discoloration is created equal.

A dying tooth typically shifts from its normal shade to:

• A darker yellow
• A brownish tone
• Grey
• Or, in more advanced cases, almost a blackish tint

And unlike coffee stains or mild surface discoloration, this color change isn’t evenly spread; it’s usually deeper, duller, and doesn’t go away with whitening toothpaste or professional cleaning.

Why does this happen? Once the pulp inside stops receiving blood, that inner tissue begins breaking down, and the by-products seep into the dentin. That’s why the whole tooth starts taking on that lifeless, washed-out look.

If you’ve ever seen someone with one noticeably darker front tooth, it’s almost always a sign of pulp damage, often linked to trauma, decay, or long-term infection. It’s one of the most common hints, especially when we talk about common anterior teeth problems , because front teeth are more exposed to injuries and impacts.

Sensitivity That Doesn’t Feel Normal

Tooth sensitivity isn’t unusual, and most people brush it off as “Oh, maybe I ate something too cold.” But sensitivity tied to dying tooth symptoms feels different.

Here’s how people usually describe it:

• “A deep, dull zap that lingers longer than usual”
• “A cold sensitivity that travels into my jaw”
• “A weird, internal ache that’s hard to pinpoint”

This happens because, as the pulp begins deteriorating, the nerve inside gets irritated, and irritated nerves react to pretty much anything:

• Cold drinks
• Hot foods
• Sweet or acidic snacks
• And sometimes, even just air hitting the tooth

What makes this sensitivity unique is its inconsistency. One day, it’s barely there. Next, you take a sip of something cold and immediately regret every life decision that led you to that moment.

Throbbing Pain (Yes, a “Dead Tooth” Can Hurt)

There’s a widespread question people ask: “Does a dead tooth hurt?” The weird part is that a fully dead tooth usually doesn’t. Once the nerve is completely gone, the tooth itself can’t feel anything, but the process of dying? That’s where the trouble lies.

When bacteria enter the pulp chamber and infection takes hold, pressure builds. That pressure pushes outward and irritates the surrounding tissues, especially the ligament around the tooth, and that’s where the pain comes from.

If you’re feeling:

• A throbbing ache
• Pain when biting down
• Pressure that comes in waves
• Discomfort that intensifies at night

…that’s often a sign the infection around the root has already begun.

Here’s the kicker: Pain that comes and goes is not a sign of improvement. It’s a sign the infection might be spreading or shifting. Many people mistake this for “the problem resolving itself,” but that’s rarely the case.

Bad Breath That Persists

Let’s be honest, most bad breath problems can be managed. But the kind linked to a dying tooth hits differently.

When a tooth loses vitality, bacteria have the perfect environment to multiply inside it. And unlike surface bacteria (which a quick brushing can knock out), these bacteria sit deep within the pulp chamber.

That means:

• Brushing doesn’t fix it
• Mouthwash doesn’t mask it for long
• Chewing gum only hides it temporarily

People often describe this type of bad breath as:

• “Rotten-smelling”
• “Metallic”
• “Sour”
• “A smell that comes from the tooth, not the mouth in general.”

Sometimes, you’ll also notice a foul taste, something that randomly appears when pressure inside the tooth shifts, or when infection fluid leaks out near the gumline.

If your breath is off and nothing seems to help, it’s time to look deeper than the surface.

Gum Swelling or a Small Pimple Near the Tooth

One of the more sneaky dead tooth symptoms isn’t actually in the tooth; it’s in the gums around it.

When a tooth is infected, pus can collect at the root tip and push upward. Eventually, this creates a small bump on the gums called a fistula or gum boil. It might look like:

• A tiny pimple
• A raised bump
• An area that releases fluid when pressed

Some people don’t feel pain at all, but the bump keeps coming back. Others feel tenderness or swelling localized near the problem tooth.

The tricky part is that a gum pimple is often mistaken for a simple gum infection or irritation, but it’s almost always a sign of deeper trouble, an infection coming from inside the tooth.

The Tooth Starts Feeling “Loose” or Out of Place

When infection settles around the root, it begins breaking down the bone that supports the tooth. Over time, this can cause the tooth to feel:

• Slightly mobile
• “Different” when you tap it
• Higher or lower than the surrounding teeth
• Tender when biting down

That loose or floating feeling isn’t your imagination. It’s a sign that the structures holding the tooth are weakening.

This is a pretty advanced warning sign, meaning things have been progressing beneath the surface for a while.

You Notice Swelling in the Face or Jaw

This is one of the bigger red flags and one you should never ignore.

When the infection from a dying tooth spreads, it doesn’t stay neatly in the gumline. It can move into:

• Your jaw
• Your cheeks
• Under the chin
• Or even the neck area

If you notice swelling that:

• Feels warm
• Is tender to the touch
• Is accompanied by fever
• Makes it hard to open your mouth fully

…you’re past the early symptoms and entering urgency territory.

Facial swelling linked to dental infection is not something to wait out. This is typically the stage where dentists recommend immediate treatment.

Unexplained Pressure or “Heaviness” in One Area

Not all symptoms are dramatic. Some are subtle, more of a background noise than a flashing warning light.

A dying tooth often creates a sense of:

• Fullness
• Pressure
• Heaviness
• That vague “something isn’t right” feeling

It’s not necessarily pain. It’s more like your body quietly telling you to pay attention. People often overlook it because it’s not sharp or intense, but this sensation usually shows up when the pulp is inflamed or when fluid is building inside the root.

The Tooth Stops Reacting to Anything

While early dying tooth symptoms involve extra sensitivity, the late stage is the complete opposite.

A tooth that doesn’t respond to:

• Hot
• Cold
• Sweet
• Or pressure

…isn’t a good sign.

This usually means the nerve is completely gone. You might think, “Great, no more pain,” but a tooth that feels nothing is often one that’s been infected long enough for the nerve to fully deteriorate.

This is the stage where discoloration becomes more noticeable, and infections continue silently, sometimes until they spread.

Sinus Pressure on One Side (Upper Teeth Only)

This one catches people off guard.

Your upper molars and premolars sit very close to the sinus cavities. When the roots get infected, the inflammation can press against the sinus membrane, causing:

• Sinus pressure
• A clogged feeling
• Pain that feels like a sinus headache
• One-sided facial discomfort

Many people assume they’re dealing with allergies or sinusitis, but the real issue is actually hiding in the tooth roots.

If sinus pressure is only on one side, especially paired with tooth sensitivity, it’s worth getting checked.

Why You Should Never Ignore These Warning Signs

A dying tooth isn’t like a sprained ankle; it won’t heal on its own. Once the nerve starts breaking down or the blood flow stops, the inside of the tooth becomes the perfect hiding place for bacteria.

Ignoring the symptoms can lead to:

• Abscess formation
• Bone loss
• Spread of infection
• Chronic pain
• Tooth loss
• And in rare (but very real) cases, systemic infection

The longer the infection sits, the more complicated and expensive treatment usually becomes.

So What’s the Fix?

Once a tooth dies or is dying, there are two main treatment paths:

Root Canal Treatment

The infected pulp is removed, the tooth is disinfected, and a filling material is placed inside the root. A crown is often added for strength.

This is the go-to treatment if the tooth can still be saved structurally.

Extraction

If the tooth is too damaged or the infection has caused significant bone loss, removing it may be the better option. After extraction, replacement options include:

• Implants
• Bridges
• Dentures (partial or full)

Your dentist will guide you based on the tooth’s condition.

Final Thoughts

A dying tooth doesn’t always announce itself with dramatic pain. Sometimes the signs are quiet, subtle, or easy to blame on something else. But when you start noticing the discoloration, odd sensitivity, gum changes, or that strange deep throb, your tooth is essentially waving a small flag saying, “Hey, something’s not right.”

Listening to those early warnings can save you from bigger problems down the road.

If even one of these signs of a dead tooth sounds familiar, don’t wait it out. Teeth can’t regenerate nerve tissue once it’s gone, and early care makes all the difference.