Since you’ve likely spent the majority of your adult life looking after your teeth, you might be confused when your dentist recommends a tooth extraction. However, extractions can improve your oral health and prevent serious infections in many instances.

Here are three reasons you might need a tooth extraction:

Severe Tooth Damage

While your dentist might be able to use procedures like root canals, crowns, and composite restorations to fix some dental damage, severe trauma or deeply-rooted infections might require a tooth extraction. Sometimes, it isn’t possible to restore the tooth without compromising the neighboring bone and gum tissues, which is why your dentist will carefully evaluate your oral health before recommending any dental procedure.

Tooth Eruption Problems 

Dentists also commonly recommend extractions for children who are having tooth eruption problems and for adults who have impacted wisdom teeth. In kids, these types of extractions pave the way for healthy teeth to make their way through gum tissue; in adults, they help prevent infections and discomfort.

Dental Crowding

Sometimes, your mouth might be too small to accommodate the teeth that you have, or you simply might develop more teeth than you have room for. This problem can cause crowding, which makes your teeth crooked and unsafe. Fortunately, by extracting the extra teeth, your dentist can improve the outcome of orthodontic procedures or prevent the need for braces altogether.

Don’t be afraid of tooth extraction; it could make all the difference to your dental and overall health. If you are struggling with dental problems, speak with the father-and-son dental team at Tohill Dentistry in Somerset, KY. In addition to helping with simple and complex dental extractions, these experienced dentists can also help with various preventative, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services, including sealants and dental veneers. To schedule an appointment, give them a call at (606) 679-4450 or send them a message online.