3 Signs That You Need Your Tooth Extracted

Are you suffering from tooth pain and sensitivity? Toothaches are a common complaint among people of all ages, but it’s not always easy to understand the severity of the situation. 

Mild toothaches may disappear with conservative treatment. But advanced decay, infection, and other issues could put your overall oral health at risk.

Beatriz Parra, DDS, and our team at Millennium Dental specialize in tooth extractions to preserve and improve your oral health. Our goal is to save your natural teeth whenever possible, but if you have a tooth that’s severely decayed or infected, extracting it may be the best option for your overall well-being. 

Does your tooth need to be pulled? A few signs that you might need an extraction are:

You have a persistent toothache

Toothaches are common, but the symptoms can vary. Pain may come and go, or it might be constant. Some types of toothaches trigger pain only when pressure is applied, such as when you chew or bite down. 

Decay is a top cause of tooth sensitivity and pain. If your tooth pain lasts longer than a day or two, make an appointment with Dr. Parra. Our team is here to identify what’s causing your toothache and find the best treatment for you.

The best way to prevent advanced decay is getting regular professional teeth cleanings. If tooth decay and cavities are identified early, we treat them with fillings and restorative procedures, like crowns. If the tooth is severely decayed, extraction might be your best option.

Your tooth shows signs of infection

Teeth that are severely decayed may need to be pulled, but decay isn’t the only reason to consider an extraction. Tooth infection can occur as the result of decay, but not always. It may come along with an injury or other health issues.

Signs that your tooth is infected are:

• Pus or blood around tooth
• Severe, throbbing toothache
• Pain that radiates to your jawbone, neck, or ear
• Foul-tasting drainage
• Fever

These symptoms point to a tooth infection and require professional treatment to prevent the infection from spreading. Sometimes, we can save your natural tooth with a root canal, but in other cases, pulling your tooth is the best option for your oral health.

Your mouth is too crowded for wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars in the back of your mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth, but they aren’t essential for healthy mouth function. They’re the last teeth to erupt, appearing above your gumline when you’re in your late teens or early 20s.

Wisdom teeth often need to be extracted because they crowd other teeth. If your mouth doesn’t have enough space for these extra teeth, they can come in crooked or force your other teeth out of alignment. 

Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, but it’s one of the most common tooth extraction procedures.

Getting a tooth extracted

Tooth pain, jaw pain, and discomfort when you bite down are all signs that something isn’t right. Make a dentist appointment so Dr. Parra and our team can perform a full exam to evaluate the cause of your pain and the condition of your tooth.

If you need an extraction, we begin by numbing the area around the tooth. Teeth above your gumline can be removed with local anesthesia and specialized tools. However, wisdom teeth that haven’t erupted yet may require more advanced surgery and general anesthesia.

We may recommend bone grafting alongside your extraction. Bone grafts reinforce weak areas in your jawbone, prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of nearby teeth falling out over time.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you could be a candidate for dental implants: permanent artificial teeth that look just like natural teeth.

A lifetime of good oral health begins with prevention. If you’re bothered by symptoms of a tooth problem, it’s time to find out if you need a tooth extraction. Call our Redwood City, California, office at 650-204-3548, or book an appointment online.