Given all the advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, you can be forgiven for not realizing how common missing teeth are.

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, around 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth.

What causes tooth loss? Decay, disease, trauma, and infections are among the most common culprits, but it can sometimes be hard for patients to tell when an emergency dental extraction is the best bet.

Let's take a look at some of the most common reasons our emergency dentistry team recommends a tooth extraction.

Your Tooth Has Broken

If you've broken a tooth after an accident, injury, or serious fall, you might be looking at an extraction. This is often the case when a tooth is so damaged that it can't be repaired. In most cases, your dentist will only extract the tooth if the bulk of it has broken free or the tooth structure is too impaired to preserve.

However, not all fractured teeth require an extraction. Most patients don't realize that a chipped tooth can often be saved.

This is especially true if the chipped area is small enough that it hasn't revealed the soft inner tissue beneath the enamel. In cases like these, your dentist may only need to repair the damage with a filling.

In the case of broken teeth, our team at Clearwater Dentist always recommends trying to find and save the tooth piece in case it can be set back in place. By placing it in a cup with a bit of milk, you can preserve it for a few hours while you make an appointment with an emergency dentist.

A Permanent Tooth Is Loose

While it's normal for children's teeth to loosen and fall out, the same is never true for permanent teeth, no matter your age. If your tooth wiggles freely in its socket, it's often a sign that extraction is necessary.

Healthy teeth that have a sound structure will not loosen on their own. Sometimes, dental trauma from an accident or sports injury can damage the jaw or the tooth structure. This can loosen the tooth in its socket.

In other cases, an infection may be the culprit.

Serious gum disease and major cavities can weaken the nerves in the tooth root. They can also damage the tissue that holds your tooth in place. When this happens, your tooth may start to wiggle.

While it's sometimes possible to save a loose tooth, this becomes less and less likely with time. Your emergency dentist may recommend an extraction to keep an infection from transferring to nearby bones and tissue.

You're In Extreme Pain

Tooth pain is a common complaint at any dentist's office, and it rarely results in an extraction.

However, extreme pain is never a good sign.

If you have a severe toothache, especially one that wakes you up at night, you may have significant tooth damage. These symptoms are indications of serious infections or large untreated cavities. If the pain radiates to other areas of your face, such as your cheekbones or other areas of your jaw, reach out for emergency dentistry right away.

Another red flag is inflammation which makes it hard to chew or breathe. If your tooth pain has led to a swollen face, jaw, or throat, get help. The same is true if you have a fever or notice a bad taste in your mouth.

If you can't find dental services right away, an urgent care clinic can help you reduce symptoms of infection and inflammation while you wait for an appointment.

You Have an Abscessed Tooth

A dental abscess is another type of infection that can lead to a tooth extraction. With an abscess, pus begins to form in the gums around the tooth. This often happens right at the end of the tooth root.

Often, abscesses happen as a side effect of other conditions like cavities or gum disease. However, dental trauma can also cause an abscess.

For many patients, an abscess comes with significant pain. However, this isn't always true: some patients only learn they have one when they're in a dentist's chair!

That's why it's important to make an appointment anytime you notice pus or fluids leaking from your teeth or gums. You should also take note of red flags like a foul taste in the mouth or swelling along the gum line.

Sometimes, a dentist can save an abscessed tooth with treatments like root canals. In other cases, especially if the abscess has been left to fester for too long, the tooth will be too decayed to save. Extraction is often the best bet for keeping the infection from spreading to other places in the mouth and jaw.

Your Tooth Is Numb

A numb tooth may not seem like a dental emergency, but it can be a huge red flag. This is especially true if the tooth has gone numb after a period of intense pain, such as when you've been trying to ignore a toothache.

Numbness in the tooth can mean you're experiencing nerve damage, often as a result of an infection. It can also mean that your tooth pulp, the living tissue within your tooth, has died. 

There are treatment options to preserve a numb tooth, including a root canal that removes the infected pulp. However, if you put off this issue for long enough, an extraction will be the only solution available.

Get an Emergency Dental Extraction

Though a good dentist will always try to preserve your natural teeth, an emergency dental extraction is sometimes your best bet. Whether you need to treat infection, remove a loose tooth, or address significant damage, extractions can help you get rid of any pain and act as the first step to restoring your smile.

When you need dental services right away, call the team at Clearwater Dentist. We're proud to be a trusted, compassionate resource for emergency dentistry throughout Clearwater, FL, with same-day treatments to address any discomfort. Call now at (727) 797-8444 or contact us online.