Do patients with toothache need to have their teeth extracted?
Sep 25, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Chao
Introduction
In general, whether a patient with tooth pain needs tooth extraction depends on the cause of the pain. If the toothache is caused by relatively mild conditions such as gingivitis or pulp inflammation, extraction is usually not necessary. However, if the pain results from severe tooth decay or other reasons that make the tooth non-restorable, then tooth extraction may be required.
In general, whether a patient with tooth pain needs to have a tooth extracted depends on the underlying cause of the pain. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. The specific analysis is as follows:
If tooth pain is caused by relatively mild conditions such as gingivitis or pulpitis, extraction is usually not necessary. In such cases, patients can retain both the tooth and its root through conservative treatments like root canal therapy, which helps relieve pain and restore dental function. Root canal treatment involves removing infected or damaged tissue inside the tooth, then filling and sealing it with medication to achieve therapeutic results. This method effectively preserves the natural tooth and avoids the inconvenience and discomfort associated with tooth extraction.
However, if tooth pain results from severe tooth decay or other circumstances in which the tooth can no longer be saved, extraction may be necessary. For example, wisdom teeth that frequently cause pain or infections and have no functional value may be removed. Additionally, when decay has reached the dental pulp and the tooth cannot be preserved through root canal therapy or similar treatments, tooth extraction becomes necessary.
In daily life, maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding excessively cold or hard foods, and undergoing regular dental check-ups are beneficial for maintaining oral health.
