Removing your tooth removes the tooth from the presence of your oral bacteria. In either case, your immune system can then clean up whatever infection remains. So in most cases, when you have your tooth removed, there is still some infection present.
They can even cause brain damage, making it necessary to have the infected tooth removed to prevent complications. Removal of the infected tooth doesn't eliminate the infection in your jawbone, requiring antibiotics to eradicate the condition from your mouth.
The easy answer is yes. A dentist can definitely pull out an infected tooth. But it mainly depends on the severity of the case. That is to say, if the dental abscess surrounding your tooth is deep-rooted, the dentist might suggest other treatment options instead of extracting it.
Well, an infected tooth after extraction usually occurs when bacteria can access the region where the tooth used to be. Once the bacteria enter the bloodstream, the infection begins. From there, the body will start to fight off the infection with various methods, including fever, swelling, and the build-up of pus.
Tooth infections are severe and generally need people to be treated with antibiotics before proceeding with the removal. In such cases, dentists prefer performing endodontic therapy to preserve the tooth. However, if the tooth's internal structure is affected, the only alternative available is to extract the tooth.
To begin with, a tooth abscess does not go or die down on its own, and professional intervention is crucial to treat a dental abscess. In case a person does not treat a dental abscess in its initial stage, then the infection may last anywhere between 5 months to 12 months or even more.
Your dentist will make a small cut into the abscess, allowing the pus to drain out, and then wash the area with salt water (saline). Occasionally, a small rubber drain is placed to keep the area open for drainage while the swelling decreases.
After the tooth removal procedure, you might experience little pain when you bite down on the socket. However, you will not experience any more toothaches since the cause of pain is eliminated after extracting the tooth. The recovery period is between two days and a week.
What is the most difficult tooth to extract? Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt properly. They are generally considered to be the most difficult teeth to extract.
Keep Up With Dental Hygiene
Even if it hurts to brush, you need to keep your mouth as clean as possible when infection has already set in. It may be necessary to skip over flossing around the abscessed area, but don't neglect the rest of your teeth.
Once the antibiotics run out, your tooth infection will come back with a vengeance. The only way that you can stop a tooth infection is by having a dentist physically go in and remove the infected pulp.
Upper wisdom teeth are often easier to remove than lower ones, which are more likely to be impacted. Your dentist will say whether the tooth should be taken out at the dental practice, or whether you should be referred to a specialist (oral surgeon) at a hospital.
When it comes to root canal vs. extraction, a root canal is the better option when possible. Root canal treatment is safer than extraction, and it allows the patient to keep their natural tooth. According to the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine, there are 41,000 root canals performed every day.
Risks of a tooth extraction are more serious than those that come with root canal therapy. They include: The bone that once supported the tooth will begin to lose its volume and mass. Adjacent teeth may drift out of place, leading to a misaligned bite.
Post-surgical risks
Tooth extraction is associated with several general post-surgical effects such as pain, inflammation, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Some pain, swelling, and bruising in the area can be expected for most patients, which will subside with time.
Benefits of saving a natural tooth
When possible, saving your natural teeth is the best option. While today's dental prosthetics are made to last, they simply don't have the same strength as natural teeth. Not only are natural teeth stronger, but they also offer better functionality than prosthetics or crowns.
Tooth extraction offers a number of benefits. Most importantly, it reduces harmful bacteria that can damage your teeth and gums. Left untreated, a decayed or damaged tooth can wreak havoc on your smile, causing a domino effect of problems. Removing your affected tooth gives you the best chance for optimal oral health.
An untreated tooth infection can eventually lead to bacteria in the bloodstream, sometimes called blood poisoning, also known as bacteremia or septicemia. If left untreated, septicemia can cause a severe whole-body infection called sepsis, which can be life-threatening.
Dental infections originate in the tooth or its supporting structures and can spread to the surrounding tissue. Dental infections were, historically, a common cause of death. Fortunately, due to improved dental hygiene, modern dentistry, and antibiotics, dental infections are rarely life-threatening today.
The Danger of Untreated Infected Teeth and Gums
If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years. There are two types of dental abscess – one can form under the tooth (periapical) and the other in the supporting gum and bone (periodontal).
A tooth abscess won't go away without treatment. If the abscess ruptures, the pain may improve a lot, making you think that the problem has gone away — but you still need to get dental treatment. If the abscess doesn't drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck.
Root Canals Aren't Possible with Severe Infection
If the deepest layers of the pulp become infected, it may be too late to save the tooth. In addition, if a large portion of the tooth is lost and a crown cannot be placed on what's left, root canal treatment is no longer a viable solution.
Within the first 24 hours after tooth removal surgery, you should avoid consuming anything that involves chewing. Try to limit yourself to liquids exclusively. If they don't fill you up and you want to consume solid food, go for soft meals that don't need much chewing, like pudding or oatmeal.