Sometimes, it’s easy to tell something is wrong with one or more of your teeth, and that seeking dental treatment as soon as possible is probably a good idea. However, knowing exactly what’s wrong, or how best to treat it once you’re at your dentist’s office, isn’t so easy. For example, many people can experience severe oral health concerns without realizing just how severe they are, or how involved treating the condition may be. Today, we take a look at a few signs that might indicate your trouble is severe enough to require tooth extraction.

Do your molars hurt or feel damaged?

The molars at the back of your mouth are responsible for withstanding the greatest amount of your bite’s pressure. Therefore, if one starts to feel sensitive for a while, you might not consider it a big deal. However, achy molars are often a sign that your third set of molars, or wisdom teeth, are growing in and having trouble erupting properly. The wisdom tooth might become impacted, making it impossible to erupt fully or at all from your gum tissues. Pain and sensitivity in and around your molars might be an indication that you should speak to your dentist about the possibility of extracting your third molars.

Is one of your teeth noticeably loose?

Your healthy, natural teeth should never be loose, and if one of them is, it’s likely a sign that the tooth has lost a significant portion of its support system. This support comes in the form of healthy periodontal tissues (gums) and ligaments, as well as ample jawbone structure surrounding and sustaining your tooth’s root. If the tooth feels noticeably loose, then these tissues and jawbone structure may have become compromised, and you can be at a significantly higher risk of losing the tooth. If tooth loss is inevitable, then it may be a better idea to extract it and replace it as soon as possible, rather than wait for the tooth to fall out on its own before addressing it.

Does your tooth have extensive damage or infection?

Extensive damage or infection (decay) in your tooth’s natural structure can cause a wide range of problems for your oral health. If the condition is severe enough, then restoring and saving the tooth may not be an option. The best way to remove the threat to your oral health and restore your healthy smile may be to extract the compromised tooth as soon as possible. Then, your dentist can replace it with a lifelike restoration to reestablish your smile’s healthy appearance and ability to function properly.

Find out if your tooth needs extraction

Tooth extraction isn’t the typical answer to most dental health concerns, but if you exhibit these signs, then it may be the best solution for restoring your smile. To learn more about how to prevent this, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.