Learn All About Why Having A Tooth Extracted Can Boost General Oral Health

SOMETIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A VITAL STEP IN OBTAINING YOUR NEW, SEXIER SMILE
Back when you were very young, pulling a tooth was a sure sign of a dollar or two from the tooth fairy. Sadly, when you had all your adult teeth, losing a tooth became a lot less enjoyable. There are many reasons that you may have a tooth extraction to improve your dental health, like tooth impaction, to prevent overcrowding, or an injured tooth. Even though a tooth extraction may not seem like fun, it's not as intimidating or uncomfortable as it used to be. Using current methods and many sedation options, MINT dentistry in Rowlett makes tooth extractions a bit easier in the event that you need one. Our dental team in Rowlett, TX will thoroughly examine the tooth or teeth before recommending an extraction. When a tooth has to be extracted, our staff will ensure you stay comfortable from start to finish. Read on to explore both main types of dental extractions and the top reasons why a tooth or teeth might need to be pulled.

TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are several reasons why a tooth might need to be extracted. To begin, your team at MINT dentistry in Rowlett will establish the cause of your oral issue. Then, they will be able to determine what type of tooth removal best fits your case. Almost all dental extractions are based on two basic categories:

• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  An extraction surgery is done when the tooth hasn't totally broken through the gumline. Therefore, an incision is necessary to get to the tooth below the tissue. If necessary, the tooth could be divided into pieces for a smoother removal. Extraction surgery is usually utilized to remove the back molars or an impacted tooth.
• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  Your dental care provider will perform a simple extraction if your crown of the tooth has erupted above the gumline. It may be loosened by a dental tool known as an elevator before the crown and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. A simple extraction is mainly used if a tooth is seriously infected, extremely decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to address overcrowding.

TYPICAL REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED TO HAVE A TOOTH REMOVED
Many types of oral issues may result in having to get a tooth extraction. Among the leading reasons patients in Rowlett, TX would have a dental extraction is to prevent impaction. These are several of the additional standard reasons you may require a dental extraction:

• WISDOM TEETH
  Many patients' back molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, will probably have to be taken out. The human jaw generally isn't big enough fit these additional teeth, so as they begin to push through the gum tissue (in most people, from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist might suggest a surgical extraction. It's important to get the third molars extracted as early as you can, before your teeth become impacted or infected. But some men and women don't need to get their wisdom teeth removed. Occasionally, some fortunate patients don't get all four molars or any at all!
• OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
  For some patients, a tooth or teeth might need to be removed to prepare for an orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign or braces. These treatments are designed to adjust the teeth into their correct positions, which could mean extracting one or more teeth if there is overcrowding so the others can fit. Overcrowded teeth are usually addressed with a simple extraction.
• TRAUMA TO THE TOOTH
  Unfortunately, injuries can happen to the best of us, and, sometimes, our teeth might be harmed. While the first option is generally to attempt to preserve the tooth, it isn't always possible. The injury could be caused by a car crash or even a sports or workplace accident, but whatever the reason, people in Rowlett, TX really should set up a consultation with a dentist if they've experienced a mouth injury. Sometimes, the damage might not be obvious right away.
• TEETH THAT HAVEN'T ERUPTED
  If you have an impacted tooth, it means there is some type of obstruction preventing the tooth from erupting through the gums. An impacted tooth could be stuck behind a primary tooth that hasn't come out naturally, or it might be moving in an abnormal direction and is obstructed by another adult (permanent) tooth. Depending on the source of the impaction, your dentist can suggest a simple or surgical extraction to reduce discomfort or avoid an infection.
• EXCESSIVE DECAY
  If a cavity is neglected or not addressed appropriately, it will often spread to the pulp within the tooth. Although a root canal could potentially be done to preserve the tooth, it might have to be removed if the cavity is bad enough to weaken the tooth's structure. A simple extraction can stop the decay and disease from transferring to other teeth, the gums, jawbone, and, eventually, your bloodstream.

RECOVERY PERIOD FOR A TOOTH EXTRACTION
Following a tooth extraction, it's necessary to pay attention to and carefully follow your dentist’s after-care instructions. A simple extraction will typically require less healing time than a surgical extraction; however, it is going to be different for each specific case. You could be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection, and maybe a pain reliever. You might opt to stick to a liquid diet for the initial few days after the extraction, when the area is still sensitive and healing. This is a great chance to eat a little ice cream, but you need to also use protein shakes, etc., to get more vitamin-rich meals. You must avoid using any tobacco products, both leading up to and after your procedure, as they can impede your body's capacity to heal correctly. Your dentist might tell you to use an antibiotic mouthwash until you are released to go back to flossing and brushing again.

THE ROAD TO A BETTER, SEXIER SMILE MAY INCLUDE A DENTAL EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction could be needed for many reasons, including to stop decay from spreading, to resolve an impaction, or just to give your remaining teeth more space. Treating all of these conditions at MINT dentistry in Rowlett is important in achieving your best smile. Contact us in Rowlett, TX to plan a consultation with our knowledgeable staff to find out whether a simple or surgical extraction could be the optimal option for a better, brighter smile.