General Dentistry: When to Pull a Tooth

General Dentistry: When to Pull a Tooth from Tinley Park Smiles & Implant Dentistry in Tinley Park, ILTooth pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a general dentistry clinic, where they may receive a filling or other type of repair for a damaged or decayed tooth. However, in some cases, the tooth in question may be too far gone, and extraction is necessary. While this may be distressing for the patient, pulling a tooth could protect the surrounding teeth and gums, and there are several signs dentists watch for before they proceed.

When is a dental visit for tooth pain necessary?

Tooth pain is quite uncomfortable and usually does not go away on its own. It may also cause a variety of problems for those who suffer from it, including:

  • Pain while chewing or speaking
  • Bleeding during or after brushing
  • Noticeable tooth fragments breaking off

A general dentistry clinic can help individuals with these issues by performing an initial exam that includes X-rays and by identifying which tooth needs attention and, in some cases, may need extraction due to several possible causes.

Extreme decay

When a tooth becomes severely decayed, the surrounding area may be damaged enough that a filling is no longer an option. For example, this may occur when a large cavity has formed, or the tooth pulp becomes infected and causes extreme pain. In this case, a dentist may have no choice but to pull the tooth before it starts to affect the surrounding teeth and gums.

Damage

A tooth may get damaged during a fall, a sports injury, or from a blow to the mouth. If a tooth is badly fractured, repairing it may not be possible. In some cases, part of the tooth may remain in the jaw while the rest detaches, and in this case, pulling the remainder of the tooth is often the ideal option for the patient's oral health.

Impacted teeth

A general dentistry clinic can perform in-depth exams to discover whether a tooth or teeth have become impacted. The teeth cannot break through the gums when this occurs and usually become painful. Those with impacted teeth may have problems chewing and experience consistent jaw pain. In most cases, dentists must extract these teeth before they affect the alignment of normal teeth.

Limited space in the mouth

When wisdom teeth or rear molars erupt, they may crowd the mouth and put pressure on existing teeth. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it may also cause surrounding teeth to become crooked. Therefore, extracting wisdom teeth is a common practice, especially if they grow in decayed or at the wrong angle. While some people experience no issues with their wisdom teeth, those who begin to feel pain and pressure once they erupt may have to have them pulled to avoid future complications.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry in Tinley Park, IL

Conclusion

While pulling a tooth is usually the last resort for most dentists, it is sometimes necessary to preserve the future oral health of their patients. From decay that cannot be repaired to sudden damage caused by accident, removing a tooth can protect surrounding teeth and gums and prevent further complications.

Request an appointment or call Tinley Park Smiles & Implant Dentistry at 708-675-7427 for an appointment in our Tinley Park office.

Related Posts

Can A General Dentist Fix A Broken Tooth?

A broken tooth can be distressing, especially if you do not know where to turn when it happens. However, if a broken tooth is not an emergency, your general dentist can fix it in several ways. These professionals are skilled in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, which are important for repairing teeth.If the affected area has…

How Often To Schedule A General Dentistry Appointment

General dentistry aims to keep your teeth and gums healthy by educating you about proper oral hygiene and performing preventative treatments that protect against issues like gum disease and tooth decay. The American Dental Association recommends going to the dentist at least two times per year. These visits are used to evaluate the condition of…

The Role Of A General Dentist In Maintaining Oral Health

Besides ourselves, one other person plays a highly important role in maintaining our oral health, our general dentist. You see, the dentist is responsible for much of the work that goes into our mouths, and without them, most of us would be at a loss as to what to do to protect our teeth, tongue,…