No one wants to have a tooth extracted, especially if it isn’t bothering them. However, even if a tooth isn’t causing you any pain, your dentist may still detect an issue and recommend having it pulled. Having the tooth extracted in a timely manner may be the key to keeping the issue from developing further and causing more damage to your mouth. Though there are a number of reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted, here are a few common causes and why it’s important to nip the problem in the bud.

Though a broken or lost dental filling leaves the inside of the tooth vulnerable to damage and infection, it doesn’t usually warrant a visit to the emergency dentist. It’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect your tooth until you can reach your dentist to prevent additional harm. If you recently lost a dental filling, follow these seven steps to ensure your tooth isn’t damaged any further while you wait to have it repaired.