Tooth extractions are a common dental procedure that most people, no matter how old or young, fear. But they are one of the safest reasons to sit in a dentist’s chair. If you think you might need a tooth removed, do not delay your next dental visit. To help convince you, here are four notable reasons why tooth extractions are necessary.
Tooth Decay
When a tooth starts decaying, bacteria can infect your mouth. If bacteria infect your blood vessels or nerves, you could develop an abscess—a pocket of pus that can cause the following symptoms: pain that radiates throughout the jawbone, ear, or neck; sensitivity and pain when in contact with hot or cold temperatures; swelling of the face, and difficulty swallowing.
An abscessed tooth can be mildly uncomfortable or persistent; most likely, it will cause sharp pain. The longer you leave an abscessed tooth in your mouth, the more uncomfortable your symptoms will become, and in some instances, the infection will even spread to other parts of your body.
Bone Loss
Periodontal disease is usually the main cause of bone loss, which causes your teeth to shift and become misaligned. This is uncomfortable and may make chewing and swallowing difficult. If the disease stays untreated, your teeth will continue to shift, causing damage to the bone in your jaw. If you get your teeth extracted early on, it will minimize further damage to the rest of your mouth.
Damaged Teeth
Athletes know the dangers of damaged teeth all too well. One moment of forgetting to wear your mouthguard and suddenly a broken tooth or two is staring you in the face. Outside of the court or field, a damaged tooth can open the door for bacteria and infection, especially if you have a chipped or cracked tooth that punctures the gums around your mouth, lips, or even your inner cheeks.
Wisdom Teeth
No discussion on tooth extraction would be complete without mentioning wisdom teeth! Impacted wisdom teeth are trapped in the jaw or gums, and can cause pain throughout the mouth. If an impacted wisdom tooth is left in your mouth for too long, your jawbone can deteriorate and your teeth can shift out of alignment. Infection from untreated wisdom teeth is also a concern, and can increase your chances of bacteria moving to other parts of the body and causing health problems. You may need to take a few days off from work to recover from wisdom tooth extraction, but your oral health is worth it.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you gain a better understanding of why tooth extractions can be necessary. As you can see, teeth extractions can help prevent more serious issues from occurring. We know that having a tooth extracted is a stressful procedure. We work closely with all of our patients to ensure that they feel at ease before, during, and after their extraction. If you think you might need to have a tooth removed, do not hesitate to call our office so that we can schedule an extraction for you as soon as possible.
If you’re looking for a dentist in Danvers, MA for tooth extractions, Danvers Aesthetic Family Dentistry has got you covered. Don’t hesitate to get in touch as we can help you with any and all of your dental needs. For more information on what we can do for you, visit our website today!