No one likes to think of having a tooth pulled. But sometimes, it's necessary even for adults. These are some of the signs that you should get that tooth pulled.

The Tooth Is Infected

If you have an infected tooth, you are probably eager to relieve the pain. In some cases, replacing the infected material, treating the tooth with antibiotics, and filling the cavity is enough to make an infection go away. Other times, pulling a tooth is the best course of action. That is especially true if the infection is in the tooth pulp. Once the infection starts getting deeply embedded in tissue, it becomes a greater systemic problem and a threat to your overall health. Tooth infections can be serious, and they are seriously painful. So, if a doctor recommends that you have a tooth pulled because of an infection, trust in the fact that they are doing you a favor by helping you avoid serious pain or illness.

The Tooth Is Damaged Beyond Salvation

When a tooth is damaged, there are some things your dentist might try. Filling a cavity with decay-resistant material is an example. So is placing a crown on the tooth. Some teeth are so damaged, either through repeated cavity fillings or through being chipped, that they can't form a stable part of the mouth anymore. There's just not enough tooth left to perform its natural function.

The Tooth Is Impacting Other Teeth

And finally, you should follow your dentist's advice to get a tooth pulled if it is impacting another tooth, literally. Your tooth might be crooked, or it may be larger than the surrounding teeth. When one tooth is overcrowding the others, it's causing your entire row of teeth to be not as healthy as they could be. It might lead to significant amounts of pain and pressure, difficulty with brushing teeth that are obscured by the offending tooth, or the cosmetic and dental issues that come with having shifting teeth that are not in the correct anatomic location.

Losing a tooth doesn't have to be a bad thing. In some cases, the replacement tooth is even stronger than the original. That's often the case with dental implants; the tooth prosthetic is resistant to decay, and it's securely attached to your jawbone through a fusion process. Mini dental implants are another great option that provides a strong tooth prosthetic that's resistant to cavities and chipping. So, in short, think of getting a tooth out as a step towards improved comfort and a healthier mouth.