Many patients panic when they first hear that they need to have a tooth extracted. You might want to know if it’s possible to preserve your tooth but in most instances, your dentist has already considered that and has decided a removal is necessary instead. While it’s normal to feel concerned, it’s sometimes necessary to take a tooth out if keeping it puts your oral health at risk. Keep reading to learn more about 4 of the benefits of having your tooth extracted to set your mind at ease!
Benefit #1: Pain Relief
It’s not uncommon for people to show up at their dentist’s office because of a toothache that won’t go away. In many instances, this type of chronic discomfort is due to tooth decay or an infection in the tender tissues and nerves, or pulp, inside your pearly white. If this goes untreated, the pain will only get worse in time. If your tooth is too far gone to be saved, removing it is the only feasible way to provide you with some much-needed relief!
Benefit #2: Preserve Your Surrounding Teeth
Did you know that cavities are contagious? It’s possible to have caries (tooth decay) in one tooth that spreads to its neighbors. Sometimes, patients don’t even realize they have an issue until multiple teeth are contaminated. If your tooth is severely decayed, your dentist may suggest taking it out so that it doesn’t harm others. When used in this capacity, tooth extractions can stop the spread of infection before it’s too late.
Benefit #3: Resolve Overcrowding
Having your wisdom teeth pulled is a relatively common procedure for a reason. These late arrivals appear in the back of your mouth when you reach adulthood around the time you’re 20 years old. Because they erupt later than your other pearly whites, there’s often not enough room for them to grow safely. They can fail to break through your gums and become infected or push your other teeth out of alignment in their struggle to pop through. In these circumstances, your dentist will typically remove them to protect your beautiful smile.
Benefit #4: Eliminate the Issue
If you have a tooth that already is structurally compromised by too much damage or decay, it may not be possible to preserve it. Attempting to do so would result in more complex and costly treatments that may not even be effective. Sometimes if your tooth is simply too far gone, the only recourse is to take it out so that it can be properly replaced.
Now that you know how having a tooth extracted can increase your dental well-being, you can relax knowing that your smile is in good hands!
About the Author
Dr. Mo Saleh has several years of experience providing top-quality dental services to enhance his patient’s overall health and well-being. He’s a graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and continues to hone his skills through ongoing training and educational opportunities. He uses state-of-the-art technology for quick, accurate diagnostics and to enhance patient comfort. While he takes a conservative approach and prefers to save natural teeth whenever possible, he can also perform extractions when it’s deemed necessary. If you’re having an issue and would like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (440) 546-9494.