When Tooth Extraction Is a Good Idea

Being told that your tooth must come out is rarely taken as good news. As if a damaged or diseased tooth weren’t bad enough, losing it can significantly reduce your confidence in your smile. Nevertheless, sometimes a tooth must be extracted, whether to preserve the remainder of your oral health or because the tooth has been severely compromised and can no longer serve its intended purpose. When necessary, tooth extraction can be the best option for preserving your oral health, and today, we explain a few of the situations when tooth extraction may be a good idea.

When the Tooth is Hazardous to Your Oral Health

The problem with most dental diseases, including tooth decay, is that they’re progressive, meaning they continue their destructive paths until you actively stop the infection and treat the damage. In the case of severe tooth decay, neglect can grant the disease time to destroy your tooth and spread to its supporting gums and jawbone, possibly entering your bloodstream. Extracting a severely infected tooth is often the only option for preserving the rest of your oral health and staving off infectious tooth decay.

When the Tooth Is No Longer Viable

Disease isn’t the only thing that can threaten your tooth. Traumatic impact and injury can often loosen your tooth in its socket, or destroy enough of your healthy tooth structure that saving it isn’t a viable option. For instance, if the fracture of a cracked tooth is deep enough to split your tooth’s roots, then tooth extraction is often the only option to relieve the discomfort and prevent infection.

Ask Your Dentist if Tooth Extraction Is Necessary

If your tooth is severely damaged or infected, then extracting it and replacing it may be your best option. To schedule a consultation, call Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).