Every person wants their teeth to last a lifetime. Nevertheless, sometimes an ignored infection or undiagnosed decay can result in irreparable damage. In such cases, the only way to address bleeding, manage pain, and prevent further damage to your dental health is to get the affected tooth removed.

But what are the other symptoms, besides discomfort and bleeding, that point to the need for an urgent trip to the dentist's office? Read on for a list of dental issues that may signal you need to visit your dentist ASAP and possibly have one of your teeth pulled. 

1. A collection of pus in your mouth 
Pus in your mouth may be a consequence of a bacterial infection in the gums, at the tooth root's tip, or in the bone supporting the tooth. This problem is referred to as a dental abscess. Sometimes it can lead to excruciating pain. It's important to remember that not everyone will feel any symptoms, though. Because an abscess does not go away on its own, it is recommended to see a dentist if you notice fluid oozing from a tooth or gum. It's possible for an infection to spread through the circulation to other areas of your body. In order to address the condition, your dentist may suggest a root canal or, if the infection is too severe, recommend removing the infected tooth.

2. Facial swelling 
Dental problems that progress too far can cause swelling on either side of your face. Your face getting puffed is typically a result of salivary duct tumors, pericoronitis, and dental abscesses. Even if there are no painful symptoms, you should not ignore the problem. It's best to visit a dentist and determine what is causing the puffiness.

An inflamed root is almost certainly the source of swelling that occurs at the base of a tooth. Your doctor may recommend an immediate tooth extraction to prevent the spread of the disease.

3. Loose teeth 
In addition to sports-related accidents, a loose tooth can result from localized infection or periodontal disease. You should never disregard a loose tooth, even if it leads to no additional symptoms. Visit the dentist for an exam and x-rays. The specialist will look for indications of nerve injury or infection before the situation gets worse.

Your treatment will depend on how severe the dental problem is. An advanced infection almost always requires an emergency extraction to prevent further harm to the surrounding bone.

4. Failed root canal 
The likelihood of root canal failure is extremely low. Nonetheless, they do occur. If the tooth that has undergone the procedure produces excruciating pain or if yellow fluid is coming out of it, your root canal is likely to fail. You may also notice an unusual odor when you brush or floss or your cheeks may get swollen.

In such instances, tooth extraction or root tip surgery are the only options. Healing is unfortunately not possible in severely infected root canals. You do, however, have the option of getting a dental implant afterward.

5. Bleeding and painful gums 
Blood stains on your toothbrush or floss could be a sign that you have gum disease. Deep regions of bone decay begin to form when periodontal disease hits one of the more advanced stages. It becomes challenging after a certain point because there are fewer chances of preserving the infected tooth and restoring it to health. You may need an urgent extraction to avoid the infection spreading to the other teeth. 

The bottom line 
Don't put off having your infected tooth pulled. Failure to receive timely treatment frequently results in the infection spreading to other parts of your body, such as your heart and lungs, ultimately causing more damage.