Common Reasons for Tooth Extractions

Tooth extraction is often a part of dental care in San Jose. There are a number of reasons why a tooth may need to be removed. It is important for your oral health that you are able to recognize what those reasons are. This article highlights the most common reasons for extracting a tooth.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease—or gum disease—is an infection of the gums. As the gums become infected, the gum tissue will be unable to support the teeth, causing them to become loose. When this happens, it is sometimes necessary to pull the affected tooth or teeth.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is one of the most preventable reasons for tooth extraction. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria buildup leads to the deterioration of tooth enamel, which results in the formation of cavities. Generally, tooth decay only leads to the removal of a tooth when a person has avoided dental care for a long period of time.

Overcrowding

A dentist may pull teeth to allow for proper tooth alignment. Overcrowding is a common reason for tooth extraction in teens. If there is overcrowding, there may not be enough space to allow the teeth to be properly aligned in the mouth, so some teeth may need to be extracted.

Impacted Tooth

An impacted tooth is a tooth that is not able to properly emerge from the gum line. This can occur if the tooth is growing at an odd angle or when there is not adequate space for the tooth. This is most common with wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth removal is a very common form of tooth extraction in teens.

Other Reasons

In addition to the reasons listed above, there are a number of different factors that may lead a dentist to extract a tooth. If a tooth breaks and there is not enough structure left to repair the tooth, it may be a better alternative to remove the remainder of the broken tooth. After certain medical procedures, such as organ transplants and chemotherapy treatments, tooth extraction may become necessary to reduce the risk of infection.