Dentists seek to preserve as much of their patients’ natural teeth as possible, but sometimes one tooth must be removed to protect the health of the rest of the mouth. Many people require tooth extractions at some point in their lives, and needing one does not necessarily mean that the patient has not been practicing proper oral hygiene. Here are a few reasons why a tooth extraction might be necessary and some of the benefits it could bring.
The Tooth Is Infected
Tooth decay begins as a cavity, often from chronically poor oral hygiene, but if left untreated, it will bore its way through the outer layers of the teeth to the pulp at the center. When the pulp becomes infected, the nerves within it send pain signals to the brain, resulting in a toothache. If this infection is allowed to continue, it can spread to other teeth, cause more extensive tooth loss, and even lead to dangerous secondary infections like sepsis. If an infected tooth cannot be saved by another procedure like a root canal, an extraction may be necessary to prevent it from spreading.
There Is Not Enough Room for the Tooth
Many people have their third molars, or wisdom teeth, extracted in their late teens or early twenties. This is because there is not enough room in the mouth to accommodate them in many cases. If one’s mouth does not have enough room for a tooth, it can crowd the other teeth and push them out of alignment. This makes teeth harder to clean and easier to injure and may lead to frequent headaches or other problems that are associated with a misaligned bite. In these cases, tooth extraction can preserve the alignment of a smile.
Sometimes, a tooth cannot erupt properly from the gums. A tooth in this condition is called an impacted tooth, and it can crowd other teeth, forcing them out of position and leading to infections that cause erosion of the jawbone. Teeth in this condition usually require surgical extraction.
The Tooth Is Causing Intense Pain
While toothaches are well known for being throbbing and miserable, the pressure between crowded teeth can cause constant and stressful pain throughout a patient’s mouth. In either case, this pain will have a major negative impact on one’s quality of life. Extracting teeth can be the only way to relieve their pain in some cases.
No dentist will recommend tooth extraction lightly. However, tooth extractions are common procedures that your dentist will be well prepared for, and anesthesia will make the process painless. While the recovery will probably involve some discomfort, you can look forward to a life after extraction without the pain that comes from infected or crowded teeth.
About the Practice
Cambria Smiles provides top-quality dental care that exceeds all expectations in Cambria, CA. Led by Drs. Ramandeep Badhan and Frank Fratto, the staff delivers measurable results for patients’ dental health in a warm and welcoming environment. Services include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to tooth extractions. To learn more about how an extraction can benefit you, contact the office online or dial (805) 927-4811.