Toothache, visible dental caries and periodontal disease can completely impair a person’s quality of life. Pain, swelling and difficulty in eating can become unbearable in people with extensive tooth decay. Teeth that have been significantly damaged by dental caries are brittle, have visible holes or black spots, and are highly vulnerable to infection.

Often, teeth that have decayed significantly develop infection and become extremely brittle and damaged. Very decayed teeth need to be extracted to reduce pain and prevent irreparable damage to the root of the tooth.

When a significantly decayed tooth is extracted, patients can replace the decayed tooth with a crown, bridge, or dental implant. Dental implants provide stability and support to the remaining bone in the jaw, which functions most like a natural tooth.

Learning that you have an infection affecting your tooth can be alarming. While you may be understandably worried about what this means for your oral health and smile, you should know that treatment can still help stop the problem from getting worse. Infections can be dealt with through root canal treatment, which will allow your dentist to carefully remove bacteria and infected tissue to restore the health of the tooth. While it is usually possible to have restorative dental treatment before the tooth needs to be extracted, you should be aware that waiting too long for treatment can make you vulnerable to complications that require tooth extraction.

Symptoms of Tooth Infection

Before tooth extraction, dentists look for certain signs and symptoms to determine the course of treatment. Symptoms can differ in each individual and therefore only a trusted dentist can assist you in making a diagnosis. If there are signs of infection, some antibiotics are prescribed to the patient before tooth extraction.

• .Extreme pain and visible swelling
• .Distinctive appearance of teeth compared to others
• .Puss coming out when squeezing the affected area
• .Damage to roots visible on dental x-ray

Why is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

If left untreated, the infection can reach other areas such as the jaw, head, or neck. In severe cases, it can even cause brain damage and be life-threatening. Therefore, appropriate treatment of the infection is necessary. This can be done by draining the infection, using root canal treatment, or pulling out the tooth completely.

Taking antibiotics to delay tooth extraction is not the ideal solution if the infection has progressed and reached the nerves. If the tooth is too infected to be repaired, there is no other choice but to remove the tooth. After tooth extraction, there may still be some infection inside that needs to be drained or targeted with the help of antibiotics.

When Is Tooth Extraction Not Preferred?

There are certain situations where the dentist will not recommend extracting an infected tooth, such as excessive swelling of the face or stretching of the oral tissue. In such cases, the infection must be drained first along with the use of antibiotics.

Infected Tooth Is Not A Problem To Be Taken Lightly

While you may have time to save an infected tooth, you shouldn’t see it as a minor problem. Infections can occur when an injury exposes the tooth to bacteria, or when a cavity continues to grow until bacteria enter the pulp and attack living tissue in your tooth. Because of this, you may have pain, difficulty biting and chewing, or struggle with sensitivity. The tooth itself may discolor and you may notice swelling in the surrounding gum tissues. If too much time passes, the bacteria can spread far enough and do enough damage, and tooth extraction may be the only treatment option available.

Treatment Is Possible for an Infected Tooth

If the tooth is infected, it can be treated by root canal treatment. Thanks to this treatment, an infection formed in the structure of the tooth can be directly combated. Your dentist will remove bacteria and infected tissue before the pulp is sealed. Once this is done the focus will change from looking after the tooth to providing a suitable restoration.

 In conclusion;

The infected tooth should be extracted as soon as possible. Visiting a dentist regularly can help you recognize signs of infection in the early stages and have the tooth extracted before significant damage occurs. If you take proper care of your teeth, the risk of developing such an infection can be reduced. This includes maintaining proper oral hygiene, avoiding substances that can damage teeth, and having a dental checkup every six months. You can contact us to find out which treatment may be best for you.