The Truth About How Having A Tooth Removed Can Boost General Oral Health

SOMETIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A NECESSARY PART OF SHOWING OFF YOUR STRAIGHTER, MORE ATTRACTIVE SMILE
Years ago, when you were still a child, pulling a tooth was a sure sign of a visit from the tooth fairy. However, when you had all your adult teeth, losing a tooth became much less enjoyable. There are multiple reasons why you may require a dental extraction to improve your dental health, such as an impacted tooth, to prevent overcrowding, or an injured tooth. Even though a tooth extraction may not sound like fun, it's not as intimidating or uncomfortable as it used to be. Using modern techniques and multiple sedation options, MINT dentistry in Sugarland makes dental extractions a little easier in case you need one. Our dental staff in Sugarland, TX will carefully evaluate the affected tooth or teeth before recommending an extraction. If a tooth needs to be extracted, our team works hard to ensure you feel comfortable from beginning to end. Keep reading to find out about both main techniques of dental extractions and the leading reasons a tooth might need to be extracted.

TYPES OF DENTAL EXTRACTIONS
There are numerous reasons that a tooth might have to get pulled. To begin, the team at MINT dentistry in Sugarland will determine the reason for your oral issue. After that, they can determine which kind of tooth extraction best suits your case. The majority of dental extractions fall into two primary categories:

• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  An extraction surgery is used when the tooth hasn't totally erupted out of the gumline. This means that an incision is needed to reach the tooth inside the tissue. If needed, the tooth might be cut into multiple pieces for a less invasive removal. Extraction surgery is generally used to take out the back molars or a tooth that hasn't erupted.
• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  Your dental practitioner will do a simple extraction if your crown of the tooth is visible over the gumline. It may be loosened using a dental tool known as an elevator before the crown and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. This technique is typically chosen when a tooth is seriously infected, very decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to address overcrowded teeth.

STANDARD REASONS YOU MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Many different dental problems can lead to having to get a tooth extraction. Among the leading reasons adults in Sugarland, TX would get a dental extraction is to prevent impaction. Here are some of the other routine reasons you may need a dental extraction:

• TRAUMA TO THE TOOTH
  Sadly, accidents can happen to us all, and, sometimes, our teeth could incur trauma. Although the first solution is generally to try to save the tooth, it might not be possible. The trauma could be a result of a car accident or maybe a sports or on-the-job incident, but whatever the reason, patients in Sugarland, TX really should plan a consultation with a dental practitioner if they have an oral injury. Sometimes, the injury might not be obvious to a nonprofessional.
• TOOTH OVERCROWDING
  In many cases, one or more teeth might need to be removed to prepare for an orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or braces. An orthodontic treatment is meant to shift the teeth into the correct positions, which may necessitate pulling one or multiple teeth if there is not enough room so the others can fit. Tooth overcrowding is usually addressed with a simple extraction.
• IMPACTED TOOTH
  When patients have tooth impaction, it means there is some type of blockage preventing the tooth from erupting through the gum tissue. An impacted tooth may be impeded by a baby tooth that hasn't fallen out on its own, or it may be growing in the wrong direction and is obstructed by a nearby adult (permanent) tooth. Depending on the reason for the impaction, the dentist might suggest a surgical or simple extraction to alleviate pain or prevent an infection.
• SEVERE DECAY
  In cases where a dental cavity is left untreated or not handled in time, it may spread to the pulp within the tooth. While a root canal might possibly be done to preserve the tooth, it may need to be taken out if the cavity is severe enough to weaken the tooth. A simple extraction can stop the decay and infection from transferring to other teeth, the gums, jawbone, and, ultimately, your circulatory system.
• MOLARS
  Many patients' back molars, frequently referred to as the wisdom teeth, will probably need to be removed. The human jaw generally can't fit these particular teeth, so when they begin to erupt from the gum tissue (in most people, during the late teens to early twenties), your dentist could need to do a surgical extraction. It's best to have your back molars taken out as soon as possible, so they don't get impacted or infected. But certain people never have to get their wisdom teeth extracted. Occasionally, some lucky individuals don't grow all four wisdom teeth or any whatsoever!

HEALING PERIOD FOR HAVING A TOOTH REMOVED
Following a dental extraction, it's vital to pay attention to and carefully follow your dentist’s healing directions. A simple extraction will generally need less healing time than a surgical extraction; however, it is going to be different for every case. You might be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection, and maybe a pain reliever. You may want to follow a soft foods diet for the initial few days after the procedure, while the area is still tender and recovering. This is a good chance to indulge in some ice cream, but you need to also make soup, etc., for more nutritious foods. You ought to stop ingesting any tobacco products, leading up to and after your extraction, as they may lower your 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 INCLUDE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction may be needed for several reasons, such as to prevent an infection from traveling throughout the body, to resolve an impaction, or just to give your remaining teeth enough space. Dealing with all of these problems at MINT dentistry in Sugarland is important in obtaining your most attractive smile. Contact our office in Sugarland, TX to plan an appointment with our skilled dental professionals to determine whether a surgical or simple extraction might be the most effective solution for a sexier, healthier smile.