Are Teeth Extracted Even When Not in Pain?
There are several reasons that a tooth may be extracted. Sometimes, those decisions are made even when the tooth is not causing pain. Here are some of the most common reasons a painless tooth may be extracted.
Tooth Decay
How many times have you gotten an x-ray to find out that you have a cavity (or several) that need attention? Many times tooth decay doesn’t cause pain. It is even possible, and fairly common, for a tooth to decay so badly that an infection reaches the inner part of the tooth known as the pulp. Unless the nerve becomes exposed or is being severely affected, the tooth may or may not cause you discomfort. Often in such cases, a painless tooth may need to be extracted due to the level of decay or infection.
Space Concerns
SImply, there is only so much space in your mouth to house teeth. Sometimes people grow more teeth than their mouth can handle. Or, you may have wisdom teeth wanting to grow that simply don’t have enough room at the back of your jaw. In this case, healthy, pain-free teeth may need to be removed to allow your other teeth to settle into a comfortable, attractive place. This can be done as a preventative measure before there is an overcrowding issue, or it can happen once the issue has already arised.
Gum Disease
One of the most common oral problems facing Americans is gum disease. Thankfully, many methods of reversing and treating this disease do exist and are accessible to you. However, if the condition is bad enough, teeth may become loose if your jawbone is affected by the disease. For your safety, those teeth may need to be extracted.
Conclusion
Yes, teeth do sometimes need to be extracted when they are not in pain. However, they are only removed when absolutely necessary and when the tooth can not be treated in another way. If you are wondering about the health of your teeth, visit Shawn B. Davis at Oral & Facial Surgery Institute. Call the office today: (435) 238-7083
