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

OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A VITAL STEP IN FLAUNTING YOUR NEW AND IMPROVED SMILE
Back when you were still a child, losing a tooth meant a visit from the tooth fairy. Sadly, as soon as you got all your permanent teeth, it became significantly less enjoyable. There are loads of reasons why you might need a dental extraction to maintain your oral health, such as tooth impaction, to stop overcrowding, or an injured tooth. While a dental extraction may not be fun, it's not as scary or painful as it once was. With modern methods and several sedation choices, MINT dentistry in Addison makes dental extractions a little easier if you require one. Our dental staff in Addison, TX will carefully examine the tooth before recommending an extraction. When a tooth needs to be pulled, our team strives to ensure you feel comfortable from beginning to end. Read on to learn about both types of dental extractions and common reasons why a tooth or teeth may need to be pulled.

TYPES OF DENTAL EXTRACTIONS
There are numerous reasons that a tooth might need to be pulled. To begin, the team at MINT dentistry in Addison will determine the reason for your dental problem. Then, they will be able to determine which kind of tooth removal best matches your case. Almost all tooth extractions fall into two main categories:

• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dentist will perform a simple extraction if the tooth can be seen over the gums. It can be loosened using a tool known as an elevator, and then the crown and root are removed from the jawbone and gum tissue. This method is usually selected when a tooth is seriously infected, very decayed, or irreparable, or to make room for overcrowded teeth.
• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  A surgical extraction will be conducted if the crown hasn't fully erupted out of the gums. Therefore, an incision is necessary to get to the tooth below the gums. If necessary, the tooth may be cut into pieces for a smoother extraction. Extraction surgery is usually used to take out the back molars or a tooth that hasn't erupted.

ROUTINE REASONS YOU COULD HAVE TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Several different dental issues may result in the need for a tooth extraction. One of the most common reasons people in Addison, TX would get a tooth extraction is to avoid a tooth eruption problem. These are several of the additional standard reasons you may need a tooth extraction:

• TOOTH OVERCROWDING
  Often, a tooth or teeth may need to be extracted in order to begin an orthodontic treatment, for example, Invisalign or standard braces. An orthodontic treatment is meant to move the teeth into their correct alignment, which may necessitate extracting one or more teeth if there is overcrowding so the others are able to fit. Overcrowded teeth are usually resolved with simple extraction.
• MOLARS
  Most people's third molars, also called the wisdom teeth, will probably need to be removed. The human jaw generally isn't big enough fit these extra teeth, so if they start to grow out of the gum tissue (in most people, during the late teens to early twenties), your dentist might suggest a surgical extraction. It's key to get your wisdom teeth removed as soon as you can, so they don't become impacted or infected. However, some men and women don't have to get their wisdom teeth extracted. It's uncommon, but some lucky patients don't develop all four molars or any whatsoever!
• TEETH THAT HAVEN'T ERUPTED
  When you have an impacted tooth, it means there is some kind of obstruction keeping the tooth from erupting through the gums. An impacted tooth could be blocked by a primary tooth that hasn't come out on its own, or it could be moving in an abnormal direction and is obstructed by a neighboring adult (permanent) tooth. Based on the cause of the impaction, the dentist might suggest a surgical or simple extraction to lessen discomfort or prevent an infection.
• SEVERE DECAY
  When a dental cavity is ignored or not addressed promptly, it may extend into the pulp in the tooth. Even though a root canal might possibly be conducted to save the tooth, it may need to be taken out if the pitting is extensive enough to compromise the tooth's structure. A simple extraction can keep the decay and infection from transferring to other teeth, the gum tissue, jawbone, and, ultimately, your blood.
• TRAUMA TO THE TOOTH
  Sadly, injuries can happen to us all, and, occasionally, our teeth might be harmed. While the preferred solution is generally to try to preserve the tooth, it might not be possible. The trauma may be due to a car crash or maybe an athletic or on-the-job incident, but whatever the reason, patients in Addison, TX really need to arrange an appointment with a dental professional if they've suffered an oral injury. It's possible that the damage isn't noticeable right away.

RECOVERY PROCESS AFTER A DENTAL EXTRACTION
Following a dental extraction, it's necessary to understand and carefully follow your dentist’s healing directions. A simple extraction will typically need less healing time than a surgical extraction, but it is going to be different for each case. You may be given a prescription for antibiotics to hold off infection, and maybe a pain reliever. You might choose to follow a liquid diet for the initial few days after the extraction, while your gums are still sensitive and recovering. This is a great chance to eat a little ice cream, but you should also use soup, etc., to get more nutritious meals. You must avoid using any tobacco products, both before and after your treatment, as they may interfere with your ability to heal. Your dentist might tell you to use an antibiotic oral rinse until you can go back to flossing and brushing again.

THE BEST WAY TO A HEALTHIER, MORE ALLURING SMILE MAY INVOLVE A DENTAL EXTRACTION
A dental extraction could be performed for many reasons, such as to prevent decay from spreading, to treat an impaction, or simply to provide your remaining teeth additional space. Dealing with all of these issues at MINT dentistry in Addison is key to obtaining your healthiest, most alluring smile. Visit our practice in Addison, TX to set up a consultation with our knowledgeable staff to determine if a simple or surgical extraction could be the best solution for a healthier, more attractive smile.