Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
You may know the expression, “it was as bad as pulling teeth.” Often used as a reference to explain the difficulty level of a task, dentists know too well about the involved job of pulling teeth. At Tusculum Dental Care, we know that having a tooth pulled is not an enjoyable event, so we strive only to pull teeth when it is medically necessary. Therefore, your leading dentists in Greeneville at Tusculum Dental Care are sharing why pulling teeth is a last resort for reasons other than comfort.
Severe Tooth Decay
Plaque is a form of oral bacteria that covers your teeth. The bacteria consume sugars and produce acids that destroy the enamel on your teeth resulting in cavities. Regular brushing and flossing reduce plaque buildup, but usually, there is always some left behind that eventually hardens into tartar. Although minor cavities are easy to treat with a dental filling, severe tooth decay can contribute to multiple oral health conditions and risk your overall health.
For extreme tooth decay cases, a root canal treatment can eliminate the infection, the pain, and restore functionality to your bite. However, there are some instances when the tooth structure is no longer sound and could quickly lose its stability. If a damaged tooth remains in place and suffers a sudden fracture, the result could be more traumatic than the extraction procedure.
Even though the extreme cases are rare, your professional Greeneville dentists at Tusculum Dental Care warn that avoiding proper treatment could lead to multiple complications such as an abscess. An abscess can be life-threatening if it enters your bloodstream and travels to other areas of your body, such as your brain or heart. Most abscessed teeth are treatable using root canal therapy, but when there is an abscess that requires extraction, the procedure could be challenging, depending on the location.
Gum Disease
Oral bacteria not only cover your mouth but your gums as well. The same bacteria that cause tooth decay can also cause gum disease known as gingivitis. As the bacteria enter below your gumline, it could lead to gum recession, bone damage, and eventually tooth loss.
Once your teeth become weakened by gum disease, an extraction usually is necessary. After the extraction and the area heals, you can then discuss tooth replacement options such as dental implants with your friendly Jonesborough dentists at Tusculum Dental Care.
Trauma
Your teeth are robust, but even a horrific injury could damage a tooth beyond repair. When an accident happens, the damage to your teeth may be extensive. Our Greeneville restorative dentists may be able to restore your teeth, or an extraction may be inevitable.
Wisdom Teeth
In your teens or twenties, you will experience the last pesky tooth erupting through your gums, also known as your wisdom teeth. Some people have no problems when these teeth emerge, but for those who do, an extraction is the standard method of treatment.
A common condition for wisdom teeth is impaction. Known to be painful and familiar sources of decay and infection, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to a severe life-threatening condition. When you have impacted wisdom teeth, the infection could reach the bone resulting in a possible abscess or gum disease. Therefore, having our board-certified dentists in Greeneville extract your wisdom teeth is the best method to prevent additional oral infections.
Get a Tooth Pulled in Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin, Tennessee
Having a tooth pulled is not a comfortable experience and could cause anxiety or fear in some patients. Although we use extraction as a last resort at Tusculum Dental Care, we like to ensure our patients are comfortable. Therefore, if you suffer from dental anxiety, sedation dentistry could benefit you during the procedure. If you have a tooth that may need pulling, feel free to contact your Jonesborough family-friendly dentists at Tusculum Dental Care for an appointment by calling (423) 639-7575 or request an appointment online.