The Facts About Why Getting A Tooth Pulled Can Boost Overall Oral Health

MANY TIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A VITAL STEP IN SHOWING OFF YOUR STRAIGHTER, MORE ATTRACTIVE SMILE
Back when you were still very young, losing a tooth signaled a dollar or two from the tooth fairy. Sadly, when you got all your permanent teeth, it became significantly less enjoyable. There are plenty of reasons why you might have a tooth extraction to help your oral health, like an impacted tooth, to avoid overcrowding, or an injured tooth. While a dental extraction might not seem like fun, it's no longer as frightening or uncomfortable as it used to be. Using modern techniques and multiple sedation options, MINT dentistry in Woodlands makes tooth extractions a bit easier in case you need one. Our team in Shenandoah, TX will thoroughly assess the affected tooth or teeth prior to recommending an extraction. When a tooth needs to be taken out, our staff works hard to make sure you feel comfortable from start to finish. Read on to find out about both main methods of dental extractions and the leading reasons a tooth might have to be removed.

TECHNIQUES USED FOR TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are a lot of reasons that a tooth might need to be pulled. To begin, your team at MINT dentistry in Woodlands will figure out the reason for your oral symptoms. Then, they can determine what kind of tooth removal best suits your needs. Almost all tooth extractions fall into two primary categories:

• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dental practitioner will do a simple extraction if your crown of the tooth can be seen above the gumline. The tooth is often loosened using a dental tool called an elevator before the tooth and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. A simple extraction is usually used when a tooth is seriously infected, very decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to help with overcrowded teeth.
• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  An extraction surgery is performed when the tooth hasn't totally broken through the gums. Therefore, an incision is necessary to access the tooth below the tissue. If needed, the tooth could be cut into several pieces for an easier removal. A surgical extraction is usually used to pull the wisdom teeth or a tooth that hasn't erupted.

COMMON REASONS YOU MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Several types of oral issues can lead to the need for a tooth extraction. Among the most common reasons patients in Shenandoah, TX would have a tooth extraction is to prevent tooth eruption failure. These are some of the additional common reasons you might need a tooth extraction:

• WISDOM TEETH
  Most people's third molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, will probably need to be extracted. The human jaw typically isn't large enough to fit these particular teeth, so as they begin to erupt from the gum tissue (usually from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist could suggest a surgical extraction. It's best to get the back molars taken out as soon as you can, before they become infected or impacted. However, certain people don't need to get their wisdom teeth pulled out. It's uncommon, but some lucky people don't get all four molars or even any whatsoever!
• OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
  Sometimes, a tooth or teeth may have to be extracted before an orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or braces. These treatments are intended to gently push the teeth into their straightest alignment, which could mean removing one or more teeth if there is overcrowding so the others are able to fit. Tooth overcrowding is usually treated with simple extraction.
• TRAUMA TO THE TEETH
  Unfortunately, mishaps can happen to us all, and, occasionally, our teeth might be damaged. Although the preferred solution is generally to attempt to preserve the tooth, it isn't always possible. The injury could be due to a car collision or even an athletic or workplace incident, but whatever the reason, anyone in Shenandoah, TX really should plan a visit with a dentist if they have a mouth injury. In some cases, the harm isn't visible to a nonprofessional.
• TEETH THAT HAVEN'T ERUPTED
  When patients have an impacted tooth, it means there is some type of problem keeping the tooth from growing through the gum tissue. An impacted tooth might be blocked by a primary tooth that hasn't fallen out naturally, or it may be developing in an irregular direction and is obstructed by a neighboring permanent tooth. Depending on the cause of the impaction, your dentist may suggest a simple or surgical extraction to lessen pain or keep you from getting an infection.
• SEVERE DECAY
  When a cavity is neglected or not handled in time, it will often spread to the pulp inside the tooth. Although a root canal might possibly be performed to preserve the tooth, it might have to be extracted if the cavity is severe enough to undermine the tooth's structure. A simple extraction may prevent the decay and disease from getting into your other teeth, the gum tissue, jaw, and, finally, your circulatory system.

HEALING PERIOD AFTER GETTING A TOOTH PULLED
In the days after a dental extraction, it's vital to pay attention to and diligently follow your dentist’s post-procedure instructions. A simple extraction will generally need less recovery time compared to a surgical extraction, but it is going to be different for every unique case. You may be given a prescription for antibiotics to avoid infection, and maybe a pain reliever. You might choose to go on a soft foods diet for the first few days after the extraction, while your gums are still tender and healing. This is a fantastic chance to indulge in some ice cream, but you ought to also use protein shakes, etc., to get more nutritious meals. You ought to stop using all tobacco products, leading up to and after your treatment, as they may reduce your ability to heal. Your dentist may suggest using an antibiotic oral rinse until you can begin flossing and brushing again.

THE PATH TO A HEALTHIER, SEXIER SMILE MAY INCLUDE A DENTAL EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction could be required for several reasons, such as to keep decay from affecting other teeth, to resolve an impaction, or just to give your other teeth additional space. Dealing with all of these conditions at MINT dentistry in Woodlands is important in obtaining your most attractive smile. Reach out to our office in Shenandoah, TX to arrange a consultation with our experienced dental professionals to learn if a simple or surgical extraction could be the optimal answer for a healthier, more attractive smile.