The Truth About How Getting A Tooth Pulled Can Improve Overall Dental Health

MANY TIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS STEP ONE OF ACHIEVING YOUR MOST BEAUTIFUL SMILE
In the days when you were a little kid, pulling a tooth signaled a little money from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, as soon as you had all your adult teeth, losing a tooth became significantly less fun. There are multiple reasons that you might require a tooth extraction to improve your oral health, like a tooth that hasn't erupted, to stop overcrowding, or a decayed tooth. Even though a tooth extraction may not seem like a good time, it's not as scary or uncomfortable as it used to be. With modern methods and multiple sedation options, MINT dentistry in Spring makes tooth extractions a bit easier if you need one. Our dental team in Spring, TX will thoroughly evaluate the affected tooth or teeth before suggesting an extraction. When a tooth has to be pulled, our staff strives to ensure you stay relaxed from start to finish. Read on to find out about the two main techniques of dental extractions and common reasons a tooth may need to be pulled.

TECHNIQUES USED FOR DENTAL EXTRACTIONS
There are various reasons that a tooth might need to get removed. First, your team at MINT dentistry in Spring will determine the reason for your dental symptoms. After that, they will be able to decide what kind of tooth removal best fits your needs. Most tooth extractions are based on two main categories:

• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dentist will perform a simple extraction if your crown of the tooth is visible above the gumline. It can be loosened with a tool known as an elevator before the tooth and root are removed from the jawbone and gum tissue. This technique is generally chosen if a tooth is badly infected, extremely decayed, or irreparable, or to help with overcrowding.
• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  An extraction surgery will be conducted when the tooth hasn't completely grown out of the gums. Therefore, an incision is needed to reach the tooth below the gums. If necessary, the tooth might be divided into several pieces for a smoother removal. This method is typically used to pull the back molars or a nonerupted tooth.

TYPICAL REASONS YOU COULD NEED TO GET A TOOTH REMOVED
Many different tooth issues can lead to the need for a tooth extraction. Among the leading reasons adults in Spring, TX would have a tooth extraction is to head off a tooth eruption problem. These are some of the other routine reasons you might require a dental extraction:

• DAMAGE TO THE TOOTH
  Regrettably, mishaps can happen to anyone, and, sometimes, our teeth could be damaged. While the ideal solution is usually to make all efforts to save the tooth, it may not be possible. The damage might be caused by a car collision or even an athletic or work accident, but no matter the reason, patients in Spring, TX really need to set up an appointment with a dentist if they've experienced an oral injury. Sometimes, the injury might not be obvious right away.
• EXCESSIVE CAVITIES
  When a dental cavity is ignored or not addressed promptly, it will often eat into the pulp inside the tooth. While a root canal could possibly be performed to preserve the tooth, it might have to be taken out if the pitting is severe enough to undermine the tooth's structure. A simple extraction can prevent the decay and infection from reaching your other teeth, the gums, jawbone, and, finally, your circulatory system.
• TEETH THAT HAVEN'T ERUPTED
  When patients have tooth impaction, it indicates there is some sort of blockage keeping the tooth from growing through the gumline. An impacted tooth might be impeded by a baby tooth that hasn't fallen out on its own, or it might be moving in an irregular direction and is obstructed by a neighboring adult (permanent) tooth. Based on the cause of the impaction, your dentist may recommend a surgical or simple extraction to lessen pain or keep you from getting an infection.
• OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
  Often, a tooth or teeth may need to be removed to prepare for an orthodontic treatment, for example, Invisalign or classic braces. An orthodontic treatment is made to gently push the teeth into their straightest positions, which could require removing one or more teeth if there is overcrowding so the remaining teeth can fit. Tooth overcrowding is usually resolved with simple extraction.
• MOLARS
  Most people's third molars, often known as the wisdom teeth, will, in all likelihood, have to be pulled. The human jaw generally isn't big enough fit these extra teeth, so if they start to erupt from the gums (usually from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist may suggest a surgical extraction. It's important to get your back molars extracted as early as you can, before they become infected or impacted. However, some men and women never have to get their back molars pulled out. It's uncommon, but some fortunate patients don't grow all four molars or even any whatsoever!

HEALING PERIOD FOR HAVING A TOOTH REMOVED
When you've had a tooth extraction, it's vital to pay attention to and carefully adhere to your dentist’s post-procedure instructions. A simple extraction will typically require less recovery time than a surgical extraction, but it is going to vary according to each unique case. You may be given a prescription for antibiotics to prevent infection, and maybe a pain medication. You may decide to stick to a soft foods diet for the first couple of days after the extraction, while the area is still tender and healing. This is a good chance to have a little ice cream, but you need to also make protein shakes, etc., to get more nutritious meals. You ought to avoid consuming any tobacco products, both before and following your procedure, because they will impede your body's capacity to heal correctly. Your dentist may tell you to use an antibiotic mouthwash until you can go back to brushing and flossing again.

THE ANSWER TO A HEALTHIER, MORE ALLURING SMILE MIGHT INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction might be done for many reasons, including to prevent decay from traveling throughout the body, to avoid an impaction, or simply to provide your remaining teeth additional space. Treating all of these conditions at MINT dentistry in Spring is important in achieving your best smile. Reach out to our practice in Spring, TX to schedule a consultation with our skilled dental professionals to find out whether a simple or surgical extraction could be the most effective treatment for a healthier, more attractive smile.