It used to be a common misconception that when we got older, we’d eventually lose our teeth. Thank goodness that is no longer the case! More and more people are keeping some or all of their natural teeth well into their old age. Sometimes, however, tooth extraction is necessary. Here are six of the most common reasons you may need a tooth removed.
- Trauma or decay
If a tooth becomes damaged due to trauma or decay, your dentist will do his best to fix it – usually by means of a filling or a crown. Sometimes, however, a tooth will become damaged beyond repair and an extraction will be necessary.
- Crowded teeth
If teeth are too large to fit in the mouth, it can cause problems with alignment. Often when a patient is getting orthodontic treatments such as braces they will require tooth extraction so that the remainder of the teeth can be straightened.
- Infection
Sometimes tooth decay can spread into the pulp of the tooth causing infection. If this happens, your dentist will try to save the tooth using root canal therapy but if this is not possible, they will have to remove the tooth in order to prevent the infection from spreading.
- Compromised immune system
Some patients may have a compromised immune system due to medical treatments such as organ transplants or chemotherapy. Since infection can be quite dangerous in these cases, a tooth may be removed if it is likely to become infected.
- Gum disease
Periodontal disease is a common problem in North America. This condition is one of the main reasons why people lose their teeth. Gum disease happens when the gums start to separate from the tooth, causing open pockets that can become infected. This causes the tooth to loosen and eventually it will have to be removed.
- Problem wisdom teeth
For many patients in their teens and early twenties, it is necessary to remove their wisdom teeth because they do not have enough room in their mouths to accommodate them. If wisdom teeth are straight and have protruded through the gum, a regular tooth extraction may be sufficient. Often, however, wisdom teeth become impacted and require surgical removal.
While the goal of your dentist will always be to save your natural teeth if possible, there are sometimes when tooth extraction may be necessary. For more information, contact Sapphire Dental at 905-878-8760.