Tooth extraction

[btsarmy]

How do you get your gum health back after suffering gum disease? I have a loose molar which dentist is advising me to have extracted as I have lost too much bone and gums are not in the best shape so likely I will lose the tooth anyway. I am scared to have it taken out but it's bothering me as I can't bite properly and can feel the movement. Any advice what would you do? Get it taken out or try and see how long it can last? It's not causing any pain just annoying. I just am worried about having a big gap at the back

Leaving it is likely to lead to an infection, if it’s severe you will need antibiotics, then extraction. If it’s grumbling ( it probably is already) it will lead to chronic inflammation and bacteria floating around in your bloodstream. That’s really not good for your long term general health

Thank you for the reply, the dentist never mentioned anything about infection? Just that it's inevitable I will lose the tooth

Any advice from any dentists?

I’m a dentist, advice as above.
Without seeing you or your radiographs it’s impossible to give any further advice.
I would guess if the tooth is loose you’ve had gum disease for quite a while which hadn’t responded to treatment.

Was it an NHS dentist or private?

I only ask because I recently had a molar which had lost a large amount of filling. My NHS dentist said there was not enough tooth left to do anything with it and it would have to come out. I went to a private dentist who said it could be managed with root canal, rebuilding the tooth and putting a crown on it. So I got him to do that and the tooth is fine.

It cost a small fortune, but saved the tooth, I think in the NHS they just don't have time to consider more complex ways of dealing with troublesome teeth, and jump to extraction when it might not be strictly necessary.

Having said that, having a molar extracted (which I've had as well) is not necessarily a big deal, as it's at the back of your mouth and doesn't really affect appearance.