Everything You Need to Know: When to Save Or Extract a Tooth?

Posted by Clove Dental on March 31st, 2021

Whenever a cavity or decay develops in our tooth, tooth extraction might seem like the best decision to a lot of people. But, such decisions shouldn’t be taken in such a hurry as there are the majority of the chances where a natural tooth can be saved. So, before you decide to get your natural tooth extracted, it is better to schedule an appointment with the best oral surgeon. Along with this, you should also have an idea of when to save a tooth or when to extract it. 

Now, you might be wondering, how? Well, this article highlights everything about saving a tooth or tooth removal. So, just give it a read…

When a Natural Tooth Can Be Saved?

Whenever a tooth cavity or decay is identified in the early stage, then definitely that tooth can be saved by getting an RCT or dental filling. As per dentists, a lot of people do not take proper care of their teeth and in the end, the cavity becomes too deep that it starts eating the pulp. This further results in either RCT or tooth extraction. 

Everything that we eat or drink builds some dental plaque in our mouth and if proper dental hygiene is not followed, that plaque or cavity starts spreading. That’s why it is always suggested to brush and floss twice a day. Apart from this, one should floss instantly after having food or eating anything sticky. Generally, two best ways can save the natural tooth from getting extracted. 

• Early Dental Filling

Do not consume things that contain a lot of sugar and acid as this erodes the tooth enamel and can damage the teeth. Even the dentist recommends that sugar is bad for the teeth and suggests limiting its intake. So, if a cavity arises due to such things, then a dental filling is the best treatment that can save the tooth. 

On the other hand, if you leave the cavity untreated for long, then you have to undergo either root canal treatment or get the tooth extracted when the condition becomes too worse. 

• Plaque Removal 

Along with the cavity, excess plaque can also increase the chances of gum infection that further causes chronic inflammation. This further weakens the gums and then the teeth start detaching. 

Not only this, but gum inflammation also creates periodontal sockets in between the teeth where there are more chances for cavity or decay to arise. Such pockets become infected very fast and then cause the bone to deteriorate and also loosen the tooth’s position. To avoid such a situation, dentists always suggest getting early plaque removal as this will reduce the chances of gum inflammation and provide more strength to the teeth and gums. 

So, these are the two best dental treatments that can save a patient’s natural tooth from getting extracted if done on time. But, there are certain conditions where it becomes essential to get tooth removal as mentioned in the succeeding section.

When to Extract a Natural Tooth?

If the tooth gets deeply infected and couldn’t be saved at all, this is the time when one can think about tooth extraction. But, a lot of people fear tooth removal as they have this misconception that there’s a lot of pain and trouble. But, this is not the case as there are a lot of modern technologies present that ensured painless tooth extraction. Along with this, there are a lot of symptoms that clearly indicate that it is high time to get the tooth extracted. 

• Gum Disease

When the periodontitis or gingivitis starts to deteriorate the bone and the gum around the teeth the best solution is to get the tooth extracted and replace it with a dental bridge or crown.

• Overcrowding

Overcrowding makes straight smiles crooked and sometimes also causes pain and trouble to the neighbouring teeth. In such a situation, it is better to get that tooth extracted and wear braces for better teeth alignment.

• Tooth Decay

When tooth decay is overlooked for long, then the decay starts eating the enamel deep down and starts causing redness, swelling, and pain. This is where tooth extraction is the best solution to prevent such problems. 

These are some of the conditions where one can either save the tooth or get it extracted to get relief from pain and trouble. So, never overlook your dental problems, instead, get the treatment as soon as possible. Always consult reputable dental clinics as they assure you to provide better treatment such as painless tooth extraction, RCT, filling, etc. Along with this, make a habit of regular brushing and flossing to maintain better oral health.