The Truth About Why Having A Tooth Pulled Can Improve Your Dental Health

MANY TIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD GETTING YOUR BEST SMILE
In another lifetime, when you were still a child, losing a tooth signaled a little money from the tooth fairy. Sadly, as soon as you got all your adult teeth, losing a tooth became a lot less enjoyable. There are several reasons why you might have a tooth extraction to maintain your dental health, like an impacted tooth, to prevent overcrowding, or an injured tooth. While a dental extraction may not seem like a good time, it's no longer as scary or painful as it once was. Using modern methods and many sedation options, MINT dentistry in Bishop Arts makes dental extractions a little easier if you require one. Our staff in Dallas, TX will thoroughly examine the area prior to recommending an extraction. If a tooth needs to be taken out, our staff will ensure you feel relaxed from start to finish. Keep reading to explore the two main types of dental extractions and the leading reasons why a tooth might have to be pulled.

TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are several reasons that a tooth might have to get extracted. To begin, your team at MINT dentistry in Bishop Arts will establish the reason for your dental problem. Then, they can choose what type of tooth extraction best matches your case. Almost all tooth extractions fit into two main categories:

• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  An extraction surgery will be performed when the crown hasn't fully erupted through the gumline. Therefore, an incision is needed to reach the tooth inside the tissue. If necessary, the tooth might be divided into several pieces for a simpler removal. Extraction surgery is generally chosen to take out the back molars or a nonerupted tooth.
• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dentist will conduct a simple extraction if your crown of the tooth can be seen above the gums. The tooth may be loosened by a dental tool known as an elevator, and then the crown and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. This method is usually chosen when a tooth is seriously infected, extremely decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to help with overcrowded teeth.

COMMON REASONS YOU COULD HAVE TO GET A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Several different tooth problems can lead to having to get a tooth extraction. One of the leading reasons people in Dallas, TX might have a dental extraction is to avoid an impacted tooth. Here are several of the other common reasons you may need a dental extraction:

• TOOTH IMPACTION
  When you have tooth impaction, it indicates there is some type of problem keeping the tooth from pushing through the gums. An impacted tooth may be stuck behind a primary tooth that still hasn't fallen out on its own, or it may be developing in an abnormal direction and is obstructed by a neighboring permanent tooth. Depending upon the reason for the impaction, the dentist might perform a simple or surgical extraction to stop discomfort or avoid an infection.
• DAMAGE TO THE TOOTH
  Sadly, accidents can happen to us all, and, sometimes, our teeth could be damaged. While the first choice is generally to attempt to preserve the tooth, it may not be possible. The damage may be a result of a car crash or even a sports or work accident, but no matter the reason, patients in Dallas, TX really need to arrange a consultation with a dental practitioner if they've suffered an oral injury. In some cases, the harm might not be obvious to a nonprofessional.
• OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
  Sometimes, one or more teeth may need to be taken out in order to begin an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or classic braces. These treatments are meant to adjust the teeth into their appropriate alignment, which may mean extracting one or more teeth if there is not enough space so the others are able to fit. Tooth overcrowding is usually resolved with simple extraction.
• MOLARS
  Most people's third molars, commonly known as the wisdom teeth, will probably need to be pulled. The modern human jaw normally can't fit these extra teeth, so as they start to grow out of the gums (in most people, from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist may suggest a surgical extraction. It's crucial to get the third molars extracted as early as you can, before your teeth become impacted or infected. But some people never have to get their third molars removed. Very rarely, some lucky patients don't get all four wisdom teeth or even any whatsoever!
• SEVERE DECAY
  In cases where a dental cavity is left untreated or not addressed in time, it can extend into the pulp within the tooth. While a root canal might possibly be conducted to preserve the tooth, it may need to be removed if the pitting is bad enough to compromise the tooth's structure. A simple extraction can keep the decay and disease from transferring to other teeth, the gums, jaw, and, ultimately, your circulatory system.

RECOVERY PERIOD AFTER GETTING A TOOTH PULLED
After a dental extraction, it's critical to pay attention to and strictly follow your dentist’s post-procedure instructions. A simple extraction will usually need less healing time than a surgical extraction; however, it is going to be different for each case. You could be given a prescription for antibiotics to hold off infection, as well as a pain medication. You might opt to stick to a liquid diet for the first few days after the procedure, when your mouth is still sensitive and recovering. This is a good opportunity to indulge in a little ice cream, but you need to also use soup, etc., for healthier meals. You need to stop using all tobacco products, both before and after your treatment, because they may lower your ability to heal properly. Your dentist might suggest using an antibiotic mouthwash until you can begin brushing and flossing again.

THE PATH TO A BETTER, SEXIER SMILE MAY INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction could be done for many reasons, including to keep an infection from affecting other teeth, to address an impaction, or simply to give your remaining teeth additional space. Dealing with all of these conditions at MINT dentistry in Bishop Arts is part of getting your most attractive smile. Reach out to our team in Dallas, TX to set up an appointment with our skilled staff to learn if a simple or surgical extraction might be the optimal option for a sexier, healthier smile.