The Truth About Why Getting A Tooth Pulled Can Help General Oral Health

MANY TIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A NECESSARY PART OF FLAUNTING YOUR NEW AND IMPROVED SMILE
In the days when you were still very young, losing a tooth was a sure sign of a little money from the tooth fairy. However, once you got all your permanent teeth, losing a tooth became significantly less enjoyable. There are plenty of reasons that you might have a tooth extraction to improve your dental health, like a tooth that hasn't erupted, to stop overcrowding, or an injured tooth. While a tooth extraction might not sound like a good time, it's not as frightening or uncomfortable as it used to be. Using modern techniques and several sedation options, MINT dentistry in Terrell makes dental extractions a little easier if you need one. Our dental staff in Terrell, TX will carefully assess the affected tooth prior to recommending an extraction. When a tooth needs to be pulled, our staff works hard to make sure you stay comfortable from start to finish. Read on to find out about the two main techniques of dental extractions and the top reasons why a tooth might have to be removed.

TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are various reasons that a tooth may need to be pulled. First, your team at MINT dentistry in Terrell will determine the reason for your oral issue. Then, they will be able to choose what kind of tooth extraction best suits your case. Most dental extractions are based on two main categories:

• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dental practitioner will do a simple extraction if the crown of the tooth has erupted above the gums. It may be loosened with a dental tool known as an elevator before the tooth and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. This technique is generally chosen if a tooth is seriously infected, very decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to make room for overcrowding.
• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  A surgical extraction will be conducted when the crown hasn't fully broken through the gumline. This means that an incision is required to extract the tooth inside the tissue. If needed, the tooth could be divided into pieces for a quicker removal. A surgical extraction is usually used to take out the back molars or a nonerupted tooth.

TYPICAL REASONS YOU MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO GET A TOOTH EXTRACTED
A lot of types of dental issues may lead to the need for a tooth extraction. One of the most common reasons people in Terrell, TX will have a dental extraction is to prevent an impacted tooth. These are several of the other common reasons you may require a dental extraction:

• MOLARS
  Your back molars, also referred to as the wisdom teeth, will probably have to be extracted. The modern human jaw usually isn't large enough to fit these additional teeth, so as they begin to grow out of the gums (usually during the late teens to early twenties), your dentist could suggest a surgical extraction. It's important to get your wisdom teeth taken out as soon as you can, before your teeth get impacted or infected. But some people never need to get their back molars extracted. Very rarely, some fortunate patients don't get all four molars or even any at all!
• DAMAGE TO THE TEETH
  Regrettably, mishaps can happen to anyone, and, occasionally, our teeth might incur trauma. Although the best solution is generally to try to save the tooth, it isn't always possible. The trauma might be caused by a car accident or maybe a sports or on-the-job incident, but no matter the reason, anyone in Terrell, TX really should set up a consultation with a dentist if they've suffered a mouth injury. In some cases, the damage might not be visible to a nonprofessional.
• SEVERE CAVITIES
  If a dental cavity is left untreated or not handled appropriately, it will often eat into the pulp inside the tooth. Even though a root canal may potentially be done to preserve the tooth, it may have to be taken out if the decay is bad enough to undermine the tooth's structure. A simple extraction can prevent the decay and infection from moving into other teeth, the gum tissue, jawbone, and, ultimately, your circulatory system.
• TEETH THAT HAVEN'T ERUPTED
  When patients have tooth impaction, it signals that there is some type of blockage keeping the tooth from breaking through the gumline. An impacted tooth might be stuck behind a primary tooth that hasn't fallen out on its own, or it may be developing in the wrong direction and is obstructed by another adult (permanent) tooth. Depending upon the reason for the impaction, the dentist may perform a surgical or simple extraction to ease discomfort or keep you from getting an infection.
• TOOTH OVERCROWDING
  In many cases, a tooth or teeth might need to be removed to prepare for an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or standard braces. These treatments are made to shift the teeth into the appropriate positions, which could mean pulling one or more teeth if there is not enough room so the remaining teeth can fit. Overcrowded teeth are generally treated with simple extraction.

RECOVERY TIME FOR A DENTAL EXTRACTION
Following a tooth extraction, it's necessary to understand and strictly follow your dentist’s healing directions. A simple extraction will generally require less healing time compared to a surgical extraction; however, it is going to depend on every specific case. You might be written a prescription for antibiotics to avoid infection, and maybe a pain medication. You may choose to stick to a soft foods diet for the initial couple of days following the procedure, while your gums are sensitive and recovering. This is a fantastic chance to indulge in some ice cream, but you need to also make soup, etc., for healthier foods. You ought to avoid ingesting any tobacco products, prior to and after your treatment, as they will reduce your body's capacity to heal properly. Your dentist might suggest using an antibiotic oral rinse until you are able to go back to brushing and flossing again.

THE ANSWER TO A HEALTHIER, MORE ATTRACTIVE SMILE MIGHT INVOLVE A DENTAL EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction may be performed for many reasons, such as to prevent an infection from spreading, to address an impaction, or simply to allow your remaining teeth enough space. Taking care of all of these problems at MINT dentistry in Terrell is part of finally having your sexiest smile. Call us in Terrell, TX to set up an appointment with our knowledgeable staff to determine whether a surgical or simple extraction could be the most effective choice for your dental health.