Dentists often do their best to limit their patient’s confusion when explaining their recommended treatment. Even so, you may have recently left your local dental office scratching your head. After a routine checkup and cleaning, your dentist recommended a tooth extraction. You thought tooth extractions were supposed to come after sharp or prolonged pains associated with a broken or decayed tooth. However, there are some cases when your dentist may recommend this treatment when you’ve experienced zero pain. Here are 3 potential reasons why.
1–You Have an Over-Crowded Mouth
If you are looking to straighten your smile with Invisalign or traditional metal braces, your dentist may suggest the removal of one or more teeth. Straightening your teeth may require some additional room for teeth to line up next to one another. Dentists will commonly recommend removing teeth in the back of your mouth, including wisdom teeth that have not yet caused any pain to achieve a straighter smile.
2–Your Gum Disease Has Gotten Out of Hand
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, involves a thin layer of your gums pulling away from your teeth. Small pockets prone to collecting food debris and bacteria will form, potentially leading to gum tissue and bone loss. This may cause a tooth to grow loose and become impossible to save. Rather than waiting for your tooth to fall out, your dentist may recommend pulling this tooth and working to heal your gum disease before undergoing a restoration treatment such as receiving an implant.
3–Your Infection Risk is High
A tooth suffering from extensive decay, visible on its surface or hidden beneath it, could pose serious infection risks for some patients. It is possible for the infection to spread throughout your body if an unhealthy tooth remains present in your mouth for an extended amount of time. If you are undergoing chemotherapy or surgery soon, limiting infection risks is essential. Even people who simply have compromised immune systems may require tooth extraction to protect their overall health.
If your dentist has recommended a tooth extraction and you are having second thoughts, make sure to ask about your dentist’s reasoning. This way, you can better understand your dental and overall physical health concerns at large. It’s essential to protect the rest of your body from the dangers of tooth decay or gum disease. In many cases, tooth extraction may be the best solution for your current and future health.
About the Author
Dr. Barry Franzen is a Milwaukee, WI dentist with nearly three decades of dental experience. As a dental implant expert, Dr. Franzen is committed to helping patients through their restorative dental treatments, from the initial to the final healing process. If you have questions about why you may need to extract a tooth that has not yet triggered any pain, Dr. Franzen would be honored to share his knowledge with you. As a popular lecturer on restorative dentistry, he has over 25 years of experience teaching patients and fellow dentists on the topic. Reach out to him at (414) 543-5432 or through his website.