You grew up thinking that your “adult” teeth were permanent, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. In fact, there are many factors that could cause your tooth to fall out on its own, or in some cases your dentist may suggest an extraction. While tooth loss can be detrimental to your oral health – in some instances, keeping your tooth could cause further harm. This typically occurs with your wisdom teeth, severe cases of infections, and facial injury. Don’t lose hope if your dentist recommends extraction – nowadays, there are many options to restore your smile both cosmetically and functionally.
Dental Diseases & Injuries
Common dental infections – like gum disease and tooth decay – are often the reasoning behind extraction, although for different reasons. For example, gum disease can cause your tooth to become loose because it damages the gum tissue and bone supporting it. Similarly, with facial injuries – your tooth can become chipped, cracked, fractured, or broken.
Typically, your dentist will try to save your tooth by performing a root canal, grafting surgeries, or placing a dental crown, first. But unfortunately, these other options don’t always work – so your best bet is removing the tooth altogether to avoid further damage.
Wisdom Teeth
In ancient times, wisdom teeth were incredible assets that helped with chewing tougher foods for better digestion. However, our ancestors also had much more space for them given their larger jaw structure. Now, while they can still be an asset, they typically cause more harm than they do good because we don’t have as much room for them to come in. The lack of space often results in impacted wisdom teeth – meaning they’re stuck between your jawbone and gum tissue, without room to properly erupt. Impaction often give infections the ideal environment to grow, putting the rest of your mouth in danger.
