The Facts About How Having A Tooth Pulled Can Boost General Oral Health
OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A NECESSARY PART OF GETTING YOUR SEXIER, HEALTHIER SMILE
Long ago, when you were very young, pulling a tooth meant a dollar or two from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, as soon as you got all your permanent teeth, it became much less fun. There are plenty of reasons that you may require a dental extraction to maintain your oral health, like tooth impaction, to prevent overcrowding, or a decayed tooth. Even though a dental extraction may not seem like a good time, it's no longer as frightening or uncomfortable as it once was. Using contemporary techniques and many sedation choices, MINT dentistry in North Arlington makes dental extractions a bit easier in the event that you need one. Our team in Arlington, TX will thoroughly evaluate the tooth prior to recommending an extraction. If a tooth needs to be removed, our team works hard to make sure you are comfortable from beginning to end. Keep reading to explore the two main techniques of dental extractions and the top reasons a tooth or teeth might need to be removed.
KINDS OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are various reasons why a tooth might need to get pulled. First, your team at MINT dentistry in North Arlington will determine the cause of your dental symptoms. Then, they will decide what type of tooth extraction best fits your needs. Most dental extractions fit into two basic categories:
- SURGICAL EXTRACTION
A surgical extraction is conducted if the crown hasn't completely broken out of the gumline. Therefore, an incision is necessary to access the tooth below the gums. If necessary, the tooth may be cut into many pieces for a quicker removal. A surgical extraction is generally used to take out the back molars or a nonerupted tooth. - SIMPLE EXTRACTION
Your dental care provider will conduct a simple extraction if your crown of the tooth can be seen over the gums. The tooth may be loosened using a dental tool called an elevator, and then the tooth and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. This method is generally selected when a tooth is severely infected, very decayed, or irreparable, or to address overcrowding.
COMMON REASONS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Numerous types of tooth issues can result in the need for a tooth extraction. One of the top reasons patients in Arlington, TX might get a dental extraction is to prevent a tooth eruption problem. Here are many of the other common reasons you might need a dental extraction:
- EXTREME CAVITIES
When a cavity is ignored or not handled appropriately, it may eat into the pulp within the tooth. Although a root canal may potentially be performed to save the tooth, it might have to be extracted if the cavity is extensive enough to undermine the tooth. A simple extraction can stop the decay and disease from getting into your other teeth, the gum tissue, jaw, and, finally, your bloodstream. - WISDOM TEETH
Many patients' back molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, will, in all likelihood, need to be taken out. The modern human jaw normally can't fit these particular teeth, so if they begin to erupt from the gums (typically from ages 15 – 22), your dentist might need to do a surgical extraction. It's important to have the third molars extracted as early as you can, before your teeth get impacted or infected. But some men and women never need to get their third molars removed. Very rarely, some lucky patients don't develop all four wisdom teeth or even any whatsoever! - DAMAGE TO THE TOOTH
Regrettably, mishaps can happen to the best of us, and, sometimes, our teeth could be harmed. Although the preferred solution is generally to make all efforts to preserve the tooth, it isn't always possible. The trauma could be due to a car collision or even a sports or workplace accident, but whatever the reason, patients in Arlington, TX really should set up an appointment with a dental professional if they've suffered a mouth injury. In some cases, the injury isn't obvious to a nonprofessional. - OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
Sometimes, one or more teeth might need to be removed in order to begin an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or metal braces. An orthodontic treatment is intended to move the teeth into the straightest positions, which might mean pulling one or multiple teeth if there is overcrowding so the remaining teeth can fit. Overcrowded teeth are usually resolved with a simple extraction. - TOOTH IMPACTION
If you have an impacted tooth, it indicates there is some sort of blockage keeping the tooth from growing out of the gum tissue. An impacted tooth may be stuck behind a primary tooth that hasn't come out naturally, or it could be moving in the wrong direction and is blocked by another adult (permanent) tooth. Depending on the reason for the impaction, your dentist may suggest a surgical or simple extraction to lessen discomfort or keep you from getting an infection.
HEALING TIME FOR A DENTAL EXTRACTION
When you've had a tooth extraction, it's vital to understand and strictly follow your dentist’s healing instructions. A simple extraction will typically require less healing time than a surgical extraction, but it is going to be different for each specific case. You may be prescribed antibiotics to hold off infection, and maybe a pain medication. You may opt to go on a soft foods diet for the first few days following the procedure, when the area is sensitive and healing. This is a great chance to have some ice cream, but you should also make protein shakes, etc., for more nutritious meals. You should avoid consuming all tobacco products, both leading up to and after your extraction, as they can interfere with your capacity to heal. Your dentist may tell you to use an antibiotic oral rinse until you are released to begin brushing and flossing again.
THE ANSWER TO A HEALTHIER, MORE ALLURING SMILE MIGHT INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction could be done for many reasons, including to prevent decay from spreading, to resolve an impaction, or just to give your remaining teeth additional space. Treating all of these conditions at MINT dentistry in North Arlington is key to getting your best smile. Reach out to us in Arlington, TX to schedule a consultation with our experienced dental professionals to learn whether a surgical or simple extraction could be the most effective choice for a sexier, healthier smile.