Getting your teeth pulled is a common dental procedure. More than 20 million teeth are pulled annually in the United States. The procedure involves removing one or more of your natural teeth. The procedure may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including damage, decay, infection, and even overcrowding. While you may feel intimidated by the procedure, advancements in dentistry have made the extraction smooth, pain-free, and highly safe. In many cases, it can help improve your oral health if extraction is necessary. Below you will find the common signs you need a tooth pulled.

Signs You Need a Tooth Pulled

If you experience any of the following, contact a dental professional right away. They can diagnose the underlying issue causing your symptoms and let you know if you need to get any teeth pulled.

Pain or Discomfort:

Pain or discomfort can be a sign that you need to get your tooth pulled. This is especially true if you experience pain when you are chewing or biting down on something. This is often a sign of damage, decay, and even an infection in severe cases. If you experience persistent tooth pain for more than a few days, it’s important to contact a dentist for dental care and services. A root canal may be necessary, but severe damage may require getting your tooth pulled.

Wisdom Teeth:

Overcrowding caused by your wisdom teeth coming in can result in the need for molar removal. This is one of the more common reasons for tooth removal as many people do not have enough space for the third set of molars. Some people experience a number of symptoms when their wisdom teeth come in but not everyone does. Common symptoms include pain, discomfort, swelling, bleeding gums, headaches, and bad breath. Contact your dentist right away if you think your wisdom teeth are coming in. If left untreated without any space to erupt, your teeth alignment can be thrown off. Additionally, impacted wisdom teeth increase your risk for infection.

Gum Disease:

If you currently have gum disease, or a history of gum disease, it may be time to get your tooth pulled. Gum disease can develop when too much plaque builds up on your teeth. The buildup is often caused by a poor oral care routine and skipping dental visits. If you have gum disease, or a history of gum disease, it can lead to serious oral health issues, including tooth loss. Tooth loss occurs when gum disease is left untreated as the tooth can become loose and wobbly. While your dentist prioritizes saving your natural tooth, you may need to get a tooth pulled if the damage from gum disease has progressed too far.

Jaw Pain or Stiffness:

Jaw pain or stiffness can be a sign that you need to get your tooth pulled. The symptom can be associated with a variety of dental issues. However, it is most commonly associated with impacted wisdom teeth. It can also be associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (“TMJ”) or gum disease. No matter what the case, persistent jaw pain and stiffness should be examined by a dental professional as removal may be necessary.

Swollen Gums:

Swollen gums can be a symptom of a variety of dental issues that may necessitate removal. Also, swollen gums are commonly associated with gum disease and a tooth abscess. Both can be extremely detrimental to your oral and overall health. The early stages of gum disease and decay can result in the preservation of all of your natural teeth. If left untreated, the results may be different as tooth removal may be necessary.