Dentists are often called on to extract teeth, and there are a few reasons why this might be necessary. In some cases, the tooth may be so damaged that it can't be saved. In other cases, the tooth may be infected and need to be removed to protect the rest of the mouth.

Here are two other situations when a dentist may need to extract your tooth.

You Have Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth occur when there is not enough room in the mouth for the tooth to erupt or come through from the gum. The most common type of impacted tooth is wisdom teeth, which usually become impacted when they try to come through at the back of the mouth. Other teeth that can become impacted include the cuspids (eye teeth) and bicuspids (premolars).

When a tooth is impacted, it can cause a few problems. For example, it may damage adjacent teeth or become infected. In addition, an impacted tooth can trap food and bacteria around it, which can lead to undetected tooth decay. Also, impacted teeth can crowd the mouth and make it difficult to chew or speak properly. As a result, your dentist may recommend that the impacted tooth be removed.

Impacted teeth are typically removed by an oral surgeon in a simple outpatient procedure. However, if the tooth is infected, your dentist may recommend a course of antibiotics first. So if you suspect you have an impacted tooth, talk to your dentist about treatment options.

You Have Severe Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can damage the bone and tissue around your teeth. If you have severe gum disease, your dentist may need to extract one or more teeth.

Severe gum disease can cause the teeth to become loose, and in some cases, it can even eat away at the bone around your teeth. The affected teeth may eventually fall out on their own, but this can take a long time. In the meantime, the infection can spread to other teeth and cause more damage. It's often best to have the affected teeth extracted as soon as possible.

Gum disease can cause other problems in the mouth, such as bad breath, gum bleeding, and receding gums. If you have any of these symptoms, see your dentist immediately so they can diagnose and treat the problem.

What to Expect From an Extraction Procedure

The dentist first numbs the affected area with a local anesthetic. They will then use a tool to loosen the tooth and remove it from the mouth. In some cases, the dentist may need to make a small incision in the gum to remove the tooth. This is typically only necessary if the tooth is impacted or otherwise difficult to remove.

After the removal, your dentist places a gauze pad over the empty socket to control the bleeding. You may experience some swelling and discomfort after the procedure, but this can be controlled with pain medication. 

For more information, contact a dentist near you.