When it comes to dental health, many people operate under the assumption that if there’s no pain being felt, everything is okay – but this is wildly untrue! In fact, this belief is often what leads to people developing serious oral health issues that warrant intensive treatment. Sometimes, it even ends up with teeth needing to be extracted! But is this outcome a possibility even if the tooth in question isn’t in excruciating pain? Continue reading below to learn more about a few reasons why tooth extraction is sometimes the best option, even if your smile isn’t hurting.
1. The Tooth in Question Is Severely Decayed
Cavities, sometimes called dental caries, are holes that have formed in teeth due to aggressive plaque and bacteria buildup. When caught early, cavities can easily be filled and prevented from worsening – however, if they’re left untreated, they can grow larger and larger until they reach the central nerves of the tooth. This can essentially kill the tooth, and it’ll need to be extracted before it gets to this point for the sake of your oral wellness.
2. There’s a Heightened Risk of Oral Infection
Patients with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or those preparing for organ transplants, are generally at much higher risk for various infections, including oral infections. In these cases, there might be decay or another issue present in one of the teeth that poses a threat to your overall wellness. Though it’s often in extreme cases, sometimes tooth extraction is the best option to ensure you don’t experience future pain or complications.
3. Unchecked Gum Disease
Gum disease is a menace, and even though the name implies that it affects your gum tissue, it can also indiscriminately affect your teeth. If left unchecked, gum disease can weaken the supportive bones and tissues surrounding your teeth, causing them to loosen to the point where they may need to be removed. Patients don’t necessarily feel pain when these teeth are loose, but if things have progressed far enough, they might be impossible to save and therefore will need to be extracted and replaced.
4. The Mouth Is Overcrowded
If you or someone you know is thinking about getting braces or undergoing another form of orthodontic treatment, it’s possible the teeth may need to be extracted beforehand in order to create a sufficient amount of space for proper realignment. In many cases, this means removing the wisdom teeth before they’ve erupted, but it can also include other teeth, usually those toward the back of the mouth.
The bottom line is that tooth extraction is a last resort for when things have become irreparable – so you shouldn’t let your smile degrade to such a state! By brushing and flossing daily, avoiding bad habits, and keeping up with your routine checkups, you can easily avoid ever needing to have one of your precious pearly whites removed!
About the Practice
Our team here at West Brookfield Dental has proudly served the needs of patients and families in the West Brookfield, MA community for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental services. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up a visit for you or someone you know, feel free to visit us online or call us today for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 867-2777.
