Compelling Reasons to Consider Teeth Extraction

Dentists focus on preserving teeth for as long as possible, or so should they. This explains why many patients with oral health challenges rarely discuss teeth extraction and what it entails. For beginners, tooth extraction is a simple operation to remove a tooth from the gum and bone socket.

Many people fear living without a tooth, while others worry about the potential pain during the extraction procedure. With all the possible challenges of tooth extraction, one might wonder if removing a tooth can have a positive impact on oral health. Despite trying to preserve teeth, dentists might recommend extraction in some situations when the benefits or removal outweigh the downside. This article highlights signs one might need tooth extraction.

Tooth Infection

Many can only imagine how painful and uncomfortable an infection in the gums or tooth socket can be. Infections or abscesses can cause severe pain, fever, swelling, puss, inflammation, and discomfort. Although a dentist or a doctor can treat oral infections, severe cases might call for surgical interventions.

For instance, if the bacteria are deep in the pulp, gums, or socket, a surgical dentist can recommend tooth removal. This procedure not only eliminates the severe infection and pain but also stops the spread of the infection. So, the patient is likely to enjoy improved oral health after the extraction.

Gum Disease

People who visit dentists regularly are unlikely to develop a severe periodontal disease due to regular cleaning and timely treatment. However, some people only see a dentist when in pain, which explains why some have advanced gum disease. This disease makes teeth loosen or come out.

However, a dentist might prefer extraction before the infection spreads to healthy teeth or further damage the gum. Tooth removal allows the dentist to inspect the gums and initiate treatment to save other teeth and prevent further damage.

Overcrowding

Some people have smaller jaws with large teeth that do not fit in the jawline. Others have misaligned or crowded teeth that make it difficult to chew food. If crowded teeth cause pain when chewing or affect the patient’s appearance, dentists can extract some. Removing one or two teeth can create room for teeth alignment procedures such as installing braces. Extraction can also make room for effective brushing and flossing, which are essential procedures for healthy and cavity-free teeth.

Severe Pain

Even when a dentist and a patient want to preserve teeth and avoid extraction, severe pain can make them think otherwise. Pain could be a sign of infection, cavities, decay, or underlying oral problems. A competent dentist will certainly conduct a thorough investigation and treatment, but sometimes extraction is the best solution.

Some teeth experience pain even when the patient is resting, while others experience pain when chewing, touching, or drinking. Teeth decay is one common problem that leads to severe pain, but dental treatments such as crowns might only provide a short-term solution. So, tooth extraction might provide long-term relief and prevent the spread of underlying infections.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth

The third molars are called wisdom teeth and emerge last. If these molars do not find enough jaw space, they can emerge at an angle, causing severe pain. The wisdom tooth may erupt partially and increase the risk of infections and damage to the adjacent teeth. To prevent these oral problems, a dentist might consider removing the impacted tooth.

These are the instances when tooth extraction is a viable option. However, patients should not decide to extract their teeth without consulting a dentist first. The dentist will examine the mouth and the affected tooth and conduct tests to determine if extraction is the best option.