Do You Need a Tooth Extraction? Here’s How to Know

Every year, dentists see numerous people who wait until things have got so bad that they need a tooth extracted as soon as possible. Waiting too long can cause additional issues, so instead of waiting until your teeth and dental health are in such bad shape, it is best to know the signs to look for that tell you whether or not you require a tooth extraction.

You Experience Pain in the Gums or Jawbone

You should not have pain in your gums and jawbone under normal circumstances. If you do, especially for an extended period, that is a clear sign something is wrong. In many cases, continuous gum or jaw pain indicates an infection in one or multiple teeth or gums. It could also be a deep cavity that causes the pain.

A dentist will examine you to determine whether you need a root canal or a tooth extraction. They will recommend the latter if the area is infected to stop it from spreading. You should book an appointment with a Corbridge dentist as soon as possible, especially if you have excruciating pain or tooth decay that might have caused the infection.

A Viable Solution for Preventing Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is an infection of the alveolar bone, periodontal ligaments, gums, and other structures that support and surround the teeth. It starts as gingivitis, an infection of the gums, before becoming more severe and is caused by bacteria in dental plaque. This is a sticky substance that forms on the tooth surface after consuming foods and not brushing.

Regular brushing and visits to the dentist can help prevent this issue. However, it gets severe enough if not treated that it causes the teeth to loosen. If this happens, the dentist may suggest you schedule a tooth extraction.

Treating Impacted Teeth

A tooth impaction happens when it does not emerge completely, or the gum does not erupt to allow it to. This often occurs with wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth can affect those around them. It can cause infections, bad breath, and overcrowding that impact your oral health and cause other teeth not to grow as expected.

A dentist will examine the tooth to see if it is impacted or will emerge later. If not, they will recommend the extraction. They will do the procedure under local anaesthesia, but you can always request general anaesthesia.

Your Teeth Are Loose

The teeth can become loose for a variety of reasons. Because they should not be, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible to find out why they are. The doctor can suggest various solutions depending on the underlying cause, including supporting braces.

However, the teeth or their roots might be so damaged that a repair would not be viable. In such cases, the doctor might say you need an extraction to deal with the issue. To avoid gaps and restore your smile, they may replace the extracted teeth with dental implants. Doing this procedure after the extraction keeps the mouth healthy, restores oral function, and helps stop gum and jawbone resorption.

To Eliminate Overcrowding

Overcrowding can cause several issues, including oral health challenges. Before realigning the teeth, you can undergo this orthodontic procedure to reduce the number of teeth to provide space for new ones to emerge.

The orthodontist can also recommend braces for realignment and x-rays that tell them whether the extraction will provide relief. They might opt to wait if there is enough space for realignment, but they will go ahead if the crowding is causing severe issues.

To Deal with Serious Tooth Fractures

The teeth can heal over time, but waiting for them to do so is not always possible. Typical cases where this happens is when the teeth are fractured below the gum line. Such injuries can cause severe pain that presents as sharp or stabbing in nature. There is also a high risk of other oral issues and complications if such teeth are not extracted as soon as possible.

Having your teeth removed is not an option many people would voluntarily go for, but it is necessary in some situations. It is typically used in cases where the alternative is additional pain and complications in the future. It is best to extract the teeth and deal with the underlying issue rather than wait and contend with a much more serious one.