When Is Tooth Removal Necessary?

There are many reasons you may want to keep your natural teeth as long as possible. However, certain conditions and treatments can compromise the quality of your smile no matter how well they are taken care of. In this case, you may require a tooth removal, also known as a tooth extraction. Your tooth is completely removed from its socket in this dental option.

Tooth removal offers a variety of advantages. For instance, it minimizes the spread of harmful bacteria to your healthy teeth by removing the root of the problem. Additionally, it can alleviate oral pain, creates room for an oral prosthetic, and helps you attain your smile objectives. In that regard, tooth removal is necessary when:

Your Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted

Wisdom teeth, also referred to as third molars, are the last set of teeth in your mouth that come in last and are located at the back of your mouth. They can grow in your late teens or early twenties. As they grow, wisdom teeth can cause various dental issues.

For example, they may appear partially through your gums or remain hidden below them. This is also called impaction. Since it may be difficult to see and clean this part, wisdom teeth that partly emerge can form a passageway that can attract bacteria and trigger oral infection or gum disease.

Because of this, you may need to have them removed. To do so, it’s best to see your dentist for eating and drinking instructions when preparing for wisdom teeth removal.

Other reasons for removing your wisdom teeth include:

Gum inflammation: This can happen when bacteria, food particles, and plaque get below your gum tissue.
Jaw pain: Since your jaws may not have sufficient space to accommodate all your teeth, your wisdom teeth can disturb your healthy teeth as they grow, leading to pain.
Sinus issues: The sinus floor is close to the jawbone in the back of your mouth. When wisdom teeth grow, they may extend through your jaw and affect your sinus floor. With this, you may experience pain, sinus pressure, or headaches.
Pain or sensitivity at the back of your mouth: If you feel pain or sensitivity at the back of your mouth when you brush your teeth or take a meal, you may have wisdom teeth issues that require removal before they worsen.
Stiff jaws: Jaw stiffness may indicate that your wisdom teeth press your jaws as they crowd your other teeth.
Oral cysts: If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth may cause sacs of fluids or cysts to grow in your jaw, gums, or tissues. Cysts may trigger the roots of adjacent teeth to rot and destroy the jawbone.

It’s important to know the reasons for removing your wisdom teeth to understand when tooth extraction may be necessary before the condition worsens.

You Have Extreme Tooth Decay

Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in your mouth digest sugar, generating acid that dissolves tooth enamel and forms cavities. It can be easy to treat cavities during the early stages. However, in extreme cases, the acid can significantly eat away the enamel, causing it to lose its stability. It becomes fragile and unsuitable for restorations such as bridges, implants, and crowns. The root also can be severely damaged, reducing the odds of successful treatment.

In such cases, your dentist may suggest removal as an effective option to prevent cavities from spreading.

Your Teeth Are Crowded

Teeth overcrowding can be a genetic issue or result from a lack of space for your teeth to fit into your jaws. It can also be a result of your teeth displacing or rotating. Crowding can be uncomfortable. You may experience pain from your teeth pressing each other or resulting in your jaw opening at an unusual and unpleasant angle. Moreover, misaligned teeth can rob you of your beautiful smile.

To restore your smile and relieve the discomfort, your orthodontist may suggest removal to create space for your teeth to align.

You Have Periodontal Disease

Periodontal or gum disease is a severe gum infection that destroys soft tissues near your teeth. It results from bacteria in your mouth infecting the tissues around your teeth, leading to inflammation. In its initial stage, known as gingivitis, your gums may bleed, become red, or swell. In its critical stage, known as periodontitis, your gums may recede from your teeth, you may lose bone, or your teeth may become loose and fall out. In such a case, tooth removal may be the best dental option.

You Experience Tooth Luxation

A luxated tooth occurs when trauma, such as falls or accidents, interrupts the ligaments, tissues, and bones that support your tooth. This may lead to your tooth loosening, angling, or moving out of its socket. Sometimes, the effect can be severe, causing your tooth or teeth to fracture and become irreparable. The fracture or crack can extend to the roots, making restoration impossible.

Conclusion

Learning that you may have to have your tooth or teeth removed may be saddening. However, tooth removal can sometimes be the best dental option to reduce infection and maintain a healthy smile. Therefore, knowing when you may need tooth extraction is vital. It enables you to prepare psychologically and visit your dentist as soon as possible before the condition gets worse.