Like most people, you’ve probably been to the dentist only when you have a problem. You may also have gone once or twice during childhood and only again once your teeth start falling out or another unfortunate event occurs. While an emergency dental visit is sometimes necessary, there are many times when the best thing for your teeth is preventative care. Dentists almost always recommend getting an oral exam at least once every year—and in some cases, more often than that! So if you aren’t sure whether it’s time to go back to the dentist (again), here are three questions to ask yourself before deciding whether or not extractions are suitable for you:
1. Do you have a bad tooth?
You may wonder how to know if your tooth is damaged or decayed. Many types of damage can affect your teeth, but it’s essential to know that not all forms of injury are created equal. The first thing to consider is whether or not the damage was caused by decay, cracks, fractures, or chips in the tooth’s enamel surface. However, if there’s anything else going with your mouth besides general wear-and-tear from chewing food over time, it is best to only take out teeth after exploring other options first!
2. Are your teeth in good shape?
You may not need to extract a tooth if you have good teeth. If your teeth are in good shape and only one or two need to be removed, then it would be better for you to get a crown placed on those teeth instead of having them extracted.
However, if another dental problem makes saving the tooth (for example, decay) impossible, we recommend extraction instead.
3. Does your gum line need to be cleaned up?
If you have gum disease, knowing it can lead to tooth loss is essential. Bacteria in the mouth cause gum disease, and if left untreated for an extended period, they can destroy your gums and cause them to recede away from the teeth. It can make it difficult for a dentist or surgeon to do their job when they need to perform surgery on your teeth or extract them entirely.
If you have gum disease, speak with an oral health professional about how best to proceed (i.e., whether or not extraction is necessary).
Importance of regular dental visits
When you go to the dentist, you’re there for a reason. But it’s important to remember that regular visits are just as crucial as emergency visits.
You can get problems early and easier to fix if you go regularly, and your mouth is a complex system that requires regular maintenance. Your dentist will be able to help maintain good oral health by providing advice on how often you should brush and floss, how often they recommend visiting them (and how long each appointment should last), what foods are best for your teeth, what dental products they recommend using–the list goes on!
The Bottom Line
When deciding whether or not you should extract a tooth, there are many factors to consider. The answer is clear if your tooth is causing you significant pain and discomfort: see a dentist! However, if the pain isn’t so bad that it affects your daily life, you should hold off on extracting until after you’ve considered some other factors. In this article, we’ll cover three questions any patient should ask themselves before deciding whether or not to extract their tooth: how much pain they’re in, how long they’ve been in distress; and whether they can wait until they can see a dentist.
No. Consider what will happen afterward when you extract a tooth. For example, if you’re losing your teeth, consider getting dental implants or dentures to regain some of your smile and self-confidence.
Capping a tooth means covering it with an artificial part to protect it from further decay or damage. It is a good option if the tooth is still healthy and has little decay, but otherwise, it may be best to remove it entirely and focus on treating other parts of your mouth that need attention. In addition, sometimes caps can get loose over time, which means they’ll need to be replaced anyway—so if that happens, you might as well go ahead and have the whole tooth removed in the first place!