Most of us would love to be able to keep our natural teeth for all of our lives. And dentists do their best to help people do just that. But the truth is that no matter how diligent you are about your own oral hygiene habits, and no matter how hard our dentists try to avoid it, there are those times when tooth extractions are necessary. If you’re wondering whether or not to have a tooth pulled, we have compiled a list of when dental extractions are necessary.
- A tooth cannot be saved by other dental procedures: Whenever a natural tooth can’t be restored using other dental procedures – such as a filling or a crown, for example – your dentist may recommend that the tooth be extracted. This could be due to some type of trauma or damage to the tooth, or extensive decay that cannot be resolved in any other way.
- Too many teeth in too small a mouth: If you have more teeth than your mouth can accommodate (also called “crowding”), it can have a negative impact on your overall oral health. In these circumstances, your dentist may suggest tooth extraction to alleviate the pressure on your other teeth.
- A tooth has become infected: A tooth that has developed an infection (abscess) is usually a good candidate for a root canal. But that doesn’t always resolve the problem. If you have an abscessed tooth that does not respond to a root canal procedure, your dentist may recommend tooth extraction. This is particularly urgent for people who have a compromised immune system, and for whom an infection could be a very serious matter. It’s much better to simply remove the tooth rather than compromise the patient’s overall health due to an abscess.
- Teeth that are impacted by periodontal disease: Gum disease can lead to tooth loss. The reason is that gum disease leads to bone loss, and you need bone to hold your teeth in place. Without that, the teeth become loose. Once this happens, there’s often no alternative – the teeth must be extracted.
- Wisdom teeth erupting: Some people get a third set of molars in the very back of their mouths. These are called “wisdom teeth.” For many of us, this doesn’t present a problem. But if your mouth isn’t big enough to accommodate this third set of molars, your dentist may recommend that your wisdom teeth be extracted.
While having a tooth pulled does not sound appealing to the vast majority of people, you should know that tooth extraction is a very safe and common procedure – one that most dentists have performed countless times. If you’re not sure whether or not you need a tooth pulled, talk to your dentist. He or she can help you decide what would be best for your oral health.
