Learn All About Why Getting A Tooth Removed Can Boost Overall Oral Health

OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS STEP ONE OF FLAUNTING YOUR SEXIER, HEALTHIER SMILE
In the days when you were still a little kid, losing a tooth meant a visit from the tooth fairy. Sadly, when you got all your permanent teeth, losing a tooth became a lot less enjoyable. There are plenty of reasons why you may need a tooth extraction to help your dental health, such as a tooth that hasn't erupted, to prevent overcrowding, or an infected tooth. Even though a dental extraction might not seem like fun, it's no longer as frightening or uncomfortable as it used to be. With contemporary techniques and multiple sedation choices, MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands makes tooth extractions a little easier if you require one. Our dental team in Dallas, TX will carefully evaluate the area before recommending an extraction. When a tooth needs to be extracted, our staff works hard to ensure you are comfortable from beginning to end. Read on to find out about the two techniques of tooth extractions and the top reasons a tooth or teeth might need to be removed.

KINDS OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are a number of reasons why a tooth may have to get extracted. First, your team at MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands will figure out the reason for your dental problem. Then, they can determine which kind of tooth removal best fits your needs. The majority of tooth extractions are based on two main categories:

• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dental care provider will perform a simple extraction if your crown of the tooth is visible above the gumline. The tooth is often loosened using a tool known as an elevator, and then the tooth and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. This method is usually used if a tooth is seriously infected, very decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to address overcrowded teeth.
• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  A surgical extraction is conducted if the crown hasn't completely grown through the gums. Therefore, an incision is required to reach the tooth below the gums. If necessary, the tooth might be cut into multiple pieces for a quicker removal. Extraction surgery is usually utilized to remove the wisdom teeth or a tooth that hasn't erupted.

COMMON REASONS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Multiple types of dental problems may lead to having to get a tooth extraction. One of the leading reasons patients in Dallas, TX would require a tooth extraction is to prevent tooth eruption failure. These are many of the other standard reasons you might need a tooth extraction:

• MOLARS
  Your third molars, commonly called the wisdom teeth, will most likely need to be taken out. The human jaw typically can't fit these particular teeth, so when they begin to push through the gum tissue (typically during ages 15 – 22), your dentist could need to perform a surgical extraction. It's crucial to get the third molars removed as soon as possible, before they get infected or impacted. But a small number of men and women never have to get their back molars removed. Very rarely, some fortunate people don't develop all four wisdom teeth or any at all!
• INJURY TO THE TOOTH
  Unfortunately, mishaps can happen to the best of us, and, sometimes, our teeth might be harmed. While the preferred option is usually to make all efforts to save the tooth, it might not be possible. The damage might be due to a car collision or perhaps a sports or on-the-job accident, but whatever the reason, patients in Dallas, TX really need to set up a visit with a dentist if they have a tooth injury. In some cases, the injury isn't visible right away.
• TOOTH OVERCROWDING
  Often, one or more teeth may have to be taken out before an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or classic braces. An orthodontic treatment is done to gently push the teeth into the correct positions, which could necessitate pulling one or multiple teeth if there is not enough space so the others can fit. Tooth overcrowding is generally addressed with a simple extraction.
• EXCESSIVE DECAY
  In cases where a cavity is neglected or not handled in time, it can extend into the pulp inside the tooth. Even though a root canal may potentially be used to preserve the tooth, it may have to be removed if the cavity is extensive enough to weaken the tooth's structure. A simple extraction may stop the decay and disease from getting into your other teeth, the gums, jawbone, and, eventually, your circulatory system.
• IMPACTED TOOTH
  When you have an impacted tooth, it indicates there is some kind of problem preventing the tooth from breaking out of the gum tissue. An impacted tooth might be blocked by a primary tooth that still hasn't fallen out naturally, or it could be moving in the wrong direction and is blocked by another adult (permanent) tooth. Based on the cause of the impaction, your dentist may perform a simple or surgical extraction to alleviate pain or prevent an infection.

HEALING PROCESS AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION
After a dental extraction, it's necessary to pay attention to and strictly adhere to your dentist’s post-procedure directions. A simple extraction will normally need less recovery time compared to a surgical extraction; however, it is going to depend on every specific case. You may be prescribed antibiotics to hold off infection, and maybe a pain medication. You may decide to stick to a soft foods diet for the initial couple of days following the procedure, while the area is still tender and healing. This is a great opportunity to have some ice cream, but you ought to also make soup, etc., for more nutritious foods. You ought to avoid using all tobacco products, both leading up to and after your treatment, as they can lower your capacity to heal. Your dentist might suggest using an antibiotic mouthwash until you given the okay to go back to flossing and brushing again.

THE ANSWER TO A BETTER, MORE ALLURING SMILE MIGHT INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction may be performed for several reasons, including to prevent an infection from affecting other teeth, to resolve an impaction, or just to provide your other teeth enough space. Taking care of all of these problems at MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands is key to finally having your most attractive smile. Reach out to our practice in Dallas, TX to plan an appointment with our experienced dental professionals to learn if a surgical or simple extraction might be the most effective option for a sexier, healthier smile.