Whilst modern dentistry is aimed at the prevention of decay and preservation of teeth, sometimes decay may progress unnoticed and either kill the nerves within a tooth (leading to significant pain and infection) or entirely destroy the tooth, rendering it unsalvageable.
In severe cases, a swelling (abscess) in the face or neck may develop which can be life-threatening. A swelling is a dental emergency and you should see us at Parade Dental Ocean Grove as soon as possible, or your nearest hospital if after hours.
In order to address the pain or infection, the inside of the tooth must be cleaned out in a process known as root canal treatment or the tooth itself will need to be removed. Once the tooth is gone, the pain and infection will also go with it. At Parade Dental Ocean Grove, we strive to remove every tooth with as little discomfort as possible.
Missing teeth can cause a different set of issues. Therefore, the best way to avoid needing teeth removed is to have regular dental check-ups to catch little problems before they become a big problem.
Other reasons for tooth removal may include:
- A deep crack in a tooth
- A loose tooth (due to severe gum disease)
- To facilitate teeth straightening
- Problematic wisdom tooth
Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to erupt, usually between the age of 18 and 25. Most people have up to four wisdom teeth, which can be difficult to clean when they are erupting (breaking through the gums) especially when they are partially covered by a flap of gum. This traps plaque and bacteria that can result in painful gum infections.
If a wisdom tooth is impacted (growing in the wrong direction, sometimes due to a lack of space), it cannot come up any further and will be prone to recurring painful gum infections. In some cases, it may even jeopardise the molar tooth next to it. Removal of wisdom teeth is recommended in these cases to prevent pain and damage to the neighbouring teeth.
Wisdom teeth do not require removal if there is sufficient space in the jaws, they are straight/upright, and you can brush and floss them properly.
