Learn All About Why Having A Tooth Pulled Can Boost Your Dental Health

OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A NECESSARY PART OF ACHIEVING YOUR NEW, SEXIER SMILE
Years ago, when you were still very young, losing a tooth signaled a visit from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, as soon as you got all your adult teeth, it became significantly less enjoyable. There are numerous reasons why you might have a dental extraction to help your dental health, such as an impacted tooth, to prevent overcrowding, or a decayed tooth. Even though a dental extraction may not be fun, it's not as frightening or uncomfortable as it once was. With modern methods and many sedation choices, MINT dentistry in Uptown makes tooth extractions a bit easier if you require one. Our dental team in Dallas, TX will thoroughly assess the affected tooth or teeth before recommending an extraction. When a tooth has to be extracted, our team works hard to ensure you feel comfortable from start to finish. Read on to learn about both techniques of dental extractions and the top reasons a tooth or teeth may need to be removed.

TECHNIQUES USED FOR TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are a number of reasons why a tooth may have to get removed. To begin, the team at MINT dentistry in Uptown will determine the cause of your oral symptoms. After that, they will be able to choose which kind of tooth removal best matches your case. The majority of dental extractions are based on two primary categories:

• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  A surgical extraction is used if the crown hasn't fully erupted out of the gumline. Therefore, an incision is necessary to extract the tooth under the gums. If necessary, the tooth may be divided into multiple pieces for a quicker removal. A surgical extraction is generally utilized to pull the back molars or an impacted tooth.
• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dental care provider will do a simple extraction if the tooth can be seen above the gums. The tooth can be loosened with a dental tool called an elevator, and then the crown and root are removed from the jawbone and gum tissue. A simple extraction is usually chosen when a tooth is badly infected, extremely decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to help with overcrowded teeth.

STANDARD REASONS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE A TOOTH REMOVED
Multiple different dental problems could result in having to get a tooth extraction. Among the most common reasons patients in Dallas, TX will require a tooth extraction is to avoid a tooth eruption problem. These are a few of the other common reasons you might need a dental extraction:

• TOOTH IMPACTION
  If you have tooth impaction, it means there is some kind of blockage preventing the tooth from breaking through the gums. An impacted tooth may be stuck behind a primary tooth that hasn't fallen out naturally, or it may be moving in the wrong direction and is obstructed by another adult (permanent) tooth. Based on the cause of the impaction, the dentist may perform a surgical or simple extraction to reduce discomfort or prevent an infection.
• DAMAGE TO THE TEETH
  Unfortunately, accidents can happen to us all, and, sometimes, our teeth might be damaged. While the first choice is usually to make all efforts to save the tooth, it may not be possible. The injury might be a result of a car crash or maybe a sports or on-the-job incident, but no matter the reason, patients in Dallas, TX really need to set up an appointment with a dental practitioner if they've suffered a tooth injury. Sometimes, the injury might not be obvious right away.
• OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
  Sometimes, one or more teeth might have to be taken out to prepare for an orthodontic treatment, for example, Invisalign or classic braces. These treatments are designed to adjust the teeth into their correct positions, which could mean extracting one or multiple teeth if there is overcrowding so the remaining teeth can fit. Overcrowded teeth are usually addressed with simple extraction.
• EXTREME DECAY
  If a dental cavity is left untreated or not treated promptly, it will often spread to the pulp inside the tooth. While a root canal might potentially be done to preserve the tooth, it might need to be removed if the damage is severe enough to undermine the tooth. A simple extraction can keep the decay and disease from transferring to other teeth, the gums, jawbone, and, eventually, your blood.
• WISDOM TEETH
  Many patients' back molars, frequently known as the wisdom teeth, will probably have to be taken out. The human jaw usually can't fit these extra teeth, so if they begin to erupt from the gums (in most people, during the late teens to early twenties), your dentist may need to do a surgical extraction. It's best to get your back molars extracted as soon as you can, so they don't become infected or impacted. But some individuals don't have to get their wisdom teeth pulled out. It's uncommon, but some lucky patients don't develop all four wisdom teeth or any whatsoever!

RECOVERY PROCESS FOR A DENTAL EXTRACTION
When you've had a tooth extraction, it's vital to pay attention to and strictly follow your dentist’s recovery instructions. A simple extraction will generally have less healing time than a surgical extraction; however, it will vary according to each unique case. You could be written a prescription for antibiotics to avoid infection, as well as a pain reliever. You might opt to go on a soft foods diet for the immediate few days after the procedure, while your mouth is still sensitive and healing. This is a good opportunity to snack on a little ice cream, but you need to also use protein shakes, etc., for more vitamin-rich foods. You need to stop using any tobacco products, both before and following your procedure, as they will lower your body's capacity to heal. Your dentist might recommend using an antibiotic oral rinse until you are able to start flossing and brushing again.

THE PATH TO A HEALTHIER, SEXIER SMILE MAY INVOLVE A DENTAL EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction could be needed for a lot of reasons, including to prevent decay from affecting other teeth, to address an impaction, or just to give your other teeth additional space. Dealing with all of these problems at MINT dentistry in Uptown is key to obtaining your dream smile. Reach out to our practice in Dallas, TX to arrange an appointment with our skilled dental professionals to determine whether a surgical or simple extraction could be the best option for a healthier, more attractive smile.