Common causes for extraction during adulthood
Maybe you were one of those lucky kids who had all of their baby teeth just fall out without trying. Or maybe, you were the one tying floss around your tooth and slamming the door to yank those suckers out. Either way, now you have permanent teeth that you never have to worry about pulling, right?
Well, not necessarily.
In your adult life, there are several situations that you may encounter that might require you to have a tooth pulled – and that’s ok! Here are some reasons that Dr. Gabhart may suggest a tooth extraction:
Tooth damage – Our teeth can get banged up from the daily wear and tear of life, a trauma (like a crash or a sports accident), poor oral care and a plethora of other reasons. But when a tooth is damaged beyond repair, your dentist will schedule an extraction to preserve your overall dental health.
Crowding – Your dentist is an expert at examining your teeth and their growth processes. He may see that there is an area of teeth growing too closely together, which can create problems with crookedness and soreness in the future. An extraction due to crowded teeth may also be done in preparation for braces.
Infection – If you are or know anybody that has been through the dreaded “root canal,” you may know that this procedure is done to alleviate an infection inside of a tooth. If a root canal doesn’t remove the infection, extraction is the next step to ensure that the infection doesn’t spread into the gums and mouth.
Wisdom Teeth – A common cause for extraction in the late teen years, dentists will often recommend removal of a couple or all of the third and fourth molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws. Because they grow in last (between the ages of 16-19), these teeth may grow in impartially or crookedly, causing crowding or putting you at risk for dental disease.
Whatever the reason may be, tooth-pulling isn’t anything to fear! Our team can put your mind at ease as we walk you through the steps for an extraction.
Be sure to schedule an appointment if you begin to feel anything out of the ordinary. Dr. Gabhart is standing by to help!
