Most of the time, when a part of your body stops hurting, that means the problem has solved itself. A little bit of rest and a cold compress really can work wonders on bruises and aches! However, the same can’t be said for a toothache. Not many people realize this, but your mouth doesn’t have the same defenses as the rest of your body. Even if your tooth doesn’t hurt anymore, you could still be in need of an extraction!
To learn why this might be the case, simply keep scrolling.
Dentists Don’t Recommend Extractions Lightly
The first thing you should know is that if your dentist recommended extraction to treat your toothache, they didn’t prescribe that option lightly! Tooth extractions are often seen as a last resort, only advisable when no other treatment is able to salvage your pearly white. In other words, your oral health is likely at risk unless urgent action is taken.
Possible Causes of Toothache
“At risk of what?” You might be wondering. That’s a valid question. Many different oral complications can trigger a toothache, so it ultimately depends on the underlying cause. However, teeth rarely hurt for no reason, and these are the types of problems you could be looking at:
- Dental infection
- Cavities
- Gum Disease
- Bruxism (chronic teeth grinding or clenching)
- Wisdom teeth complications
- Overcrowding
- Dental damage or physical trauma
Bruxism, overcrowding, and growing wisdom teeth can cause reoccurring discomfort, while conditions like cavities and gum disease can lead to tooth loss. That’s why dentists are so concerned about toothaches!
Teeth Can’t Heal Themselves
Or fight off infections on their own. That means not only could you be dealing with a serious oral problem, but also one that’s only getting worse. A case of infection, cavities, or gum disease, for example, will continue to spread to your other pearly whites or travel deeper into your tooth. If you no longer feel your toothache, it’s possible that one of these conditions has advanced to your dental nerves, impairing pain signals.
In Summary
The point of this post isn’t to scare you. But it is important to realize that toothaches, even if they fade after some time, should be inspected by your dentist. If you do end up needing an extraction, know that it’s not the worst thing in the world. Removing a troubled pearly white is an effective way to stop oral conditions from spreading, or to make room for a replacement or orthodontics.
At the end of the day, your dentist has your best interests at heart. Trust them with your oral care, and you’ll be back to smiling brightly in no time!
About the Practice
Our team of board-certified oral surgeons at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery are uniquely qualified to perform tooth extractions. If removing your tooth is the best way to preserve your oral health, you can trust them to provide safe and comfortable treatment. To contact our office, call 571-777-6501 or visit our website to find the office closest to you.