Nobody is ever really excited about the prospect, least of all the dentist who is recommending it. While this is sometimes the best way to handle a severely infected or damaged tooth, dentists typically only offer them to patients when just about every other option has been exhausted.
You might be a little confused then if your dentist says that you need to remove a tooth that doesn’t hurt. Here’s why that could be.
Why Did Your Tooth Hurt in the First Place?
There are all kinds of reasons you could develop a toothache serious enough to bring you into the dentist’s office, but one of the most common is an infection. A combination of tooth decay and plaque buildup can lead to a buildup of bacteria deep inside the tooth, causing uncomfortable inflammation of the nerve tissue within.
Root canals are generally the first line of defense against these kinds of infections, but if the disease has advanced considerably, a tooth extraction could be necessary to prevent the spread of the bacteria any further.
Why Doesn’t Your Tooth Hurt Anymore?
The pain associated with an infection comes from bacteria attacking the root tissue, causing inflammation. However, after enough time, these same bacteria can degrade the root tissue entirely. In such circumstances, you’ll no longer be able to feel the tooth that’s infected because all the nerve tissue within it has died.
Do You Still Need a Tooth Extraction
The answer is an unequivocal yes. Patients sometimes notice that their tooth no longer hurts the way that it did before and take this as a sign that the issue has resolved itself. In fact, the opposite is true; the bacterial infection is likely worse than ever. The tooth is probably on the verge of death, and the infection is likely to spread to the surrounding teeth if intervention is not completed.
Dentists generally want to keep your teeth intact as much as possible, just like you do. If they’re recommending a tooth extraction for you, you should take their advice.
About the Author
Dr. Austin Amos is a native of DFW, and he finds it enormously rewarding to help members of his community get the care that they’ve always wanted. He also knows that tooth extractions can be a little bit nerve-wracking for patients, which is why makes it a point to bring a gentle touch to his dental work. Dr. Amos received his dental degree from the University of Texas School of Dentistry and pursues continuing education through the Seattle Study Club.
If you have any questions about a tooth extraction, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (972) 625-4746.