Extracting a tooth doesn’t really sound fun for anyone. We definitely want you to be able to keep your pearly whites and we believe that knowing under what circumstances a tooth needs to be pulled can help you prevent these problems from ever happening. So here are the 6 main reasons teeth need to be pulled:
1. There Is an Infection in the Tooth
If tooth decay goes untreated, it can lead to further infection. It’s especially worrisome if an infection reaches the nerve (or pulp) of the tooth. If the infection gets to the nerve then it can easily spread to your other teeth. A root canal may be possible, but if the damage is too extensive then there is no other option than to pull the tooth.
2. There Is Severe Tooth Decay
When it comes to tooth decay, there is a point of no return. While there are many methods for reversing or treating tooth decay, not every tooth can be saved. The damage might be irreversible, in which case, the tooth must be pulled. That’s why it’s important to make regular visits to the dental office before it’s too late to correct the damage. If the tooth has cracked or broken down, then it will have to be pulled.
3. A Tooth Has Grown or Moved Into the Wrong Position
This problematic issue is referred to as impacted teeth. When teeth move into the incorrect position they are no longer useful and can disrupt the placement of the rest of your pearly whites. Teeth that become too large to properly fit within their lineup are referred to as “overcrowded” teeth. These teeth can prevent other teeth from coming in to place. In either situation, the tooth must be pulled in order to not damage the rest of your mouth.
4. A Permanent Tooth Is Loose
If a permanent tooth is only slightly loose, it will most likely tighten back up on its own as long as you don’t wiggle it or apply too much pressure. Eat soft foods and don’t mess with the tooth until it feels properly tightened once again. If a tooth is extremely loose, however, to the point where it may fall out, you must reach your dentist immediately. The tooth needs to be put back into the socket within two hours or else the damage will be permanent and the tooth will be pulled.
5. There Are Signs of Gum Disease
You might think gum disease is something the dentist uses to scare you into taking better care of your oral health, but gum disease is actually the leading cause of tooth loss. Even worse, this problem isn’t rare, it’s actually pretty common. What actually occurs in your mouth is that the gums start to pull away from the teeth and that space becomes infected. Everything keeping your teeth in place begins to break away. Without treatment the entire system will break down, the tooth will become loose, and will eventually need to be pulled.
6. A Severe Trauma That Cannot Be Corrected
In many trauma cases, dentists can repair the damage with a filling or a crown, but in some cases, the tooth is beyond the point of a healthy return. In cases where the filling is used, the filling helps to repair any damage teeth until they are able to function normally once again. A crown resets the entire structure of the tooth and covers said tooth entirely. In a severe trauma case where the tooth cannot be saved, the dentist has no other option than to remove the compromised tooth.
At the end of the day, preventing a tooth from needing to be pulled is all about maintaining the health of your teeth and acting as quickly as possible when you experience a dental problem. Make oral hygiene a systematic part of your daily routine and never skip a dental appointment. Above all, when you experience anything out of the ordinary contact your dentist as soon as possible because waiting to act might just result in the loss of a tooth.