The Facts About How Having A Tooth Extracted Can Boost General Dental Health

MANY TIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD SHOWING OFF YOUR MOST BEAUTIFUL SMILE
Back when you were a child, losing a tooth signaled a dollar or two from the tooth fairy. However, once you got all your adult teeth, losing a tooth became a lot less enjoyable. There are multiple reasons why you might have a tooth extraction to maintain your oral health, like a tooth that hasn't erupted, to stop overcrowding, or an injured tooth. Even though a dental extraction may not be fun, it's no longer as frightening or painful as it once was. With current techniques and several sedation options, MINT dentistry in Frisco makes tooth extractions a bit easier in the event that you need one. Our staff in Frisco, TX will carefully evaluate the affected tooth prior to determining you need an extraction. If a tooth has to be removed, our staff works hard to ensure you feel comfortable from start to finish. Read on to explore the two main types of tooth extractions and common reasons a tooth may need to be removed.

TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are various reasons why a tooth might have to get pulled. To begin, the team at MINT dentistry in Frisco will determine the reason for your dental problem. Then, they will be able to choose which type of tooth removal best fits your needs. The majority of dental extractions fit into two basic categories:

• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  An extraction surgery will be used when the tooth hasn't completely erupted through the gumline. This means that an incision is necessary to remove the tooth below the tissue. If necessary, the tooth might be divided into pieces for a simpler extraction. This method is typically used to take out the wisdom teeth or a nonerupted tooth.
• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dental care provider will perform a simple extraction if your tooth has erupted over the gums. The tooth is often loosened by a tool known as an elevator, and then the crown and root are removed from the jawbone and gums. A simple extraction is typically selected if a tooth is severely infected, extremely decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to help with overcrowding.

STANDARD REASONS YOU MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO GET A TOOTH REMOVED
A lot of types of dental issues could result in needing a tooth extraction. One of the top reasons patients in Frisco, TX might get a dental extraction is to avoid impaction. Here are many of the additional standard reasons you might need a dental extraction:

• TEETH THAT HAVEN'T ERUPTED
  If you have an impacted tooth, it means there is some type of problem keeping the tooth from pushing through the gum tissue. An impacted tooth may be blocked by a primary tooth that still hasn't fallen out naturally, or it could be developing in an irregular direction and is obstructed by a neighboring permanent tooth. Based on the reason for the impaction, the dentist can perform a surgical or simple extraction to alleviate pain or keep you from getting an infection.
• MOLARS
  Most people's third molars, often referred to as the wisdom teeth, will most likely need to be pulled. The modern human jaw typically isn't big enough fit these extra teeth, so if they begin to poke out of the gums (typically during the late teens to early twenties), your dentist might suggest a surgical extraction. It's important to have your third molars taken out as soon as possible, before they get impacted or infected. But some individuals never need to get their back molars taken out. Occasionally, some fortunate people don't get all four molars or any whatsoever!
• EXCESSIVE CAVITIES
  In cases where a cavity is neglected or not treated appropriately, it will likely eat into the pulp in the tooth. While a root canal might potentially be used to save the tooth, it might have to be removed if the pitting is bad enough to weaken the tooth's structure. A simple extraction can prevent the decay and infection from spreading to other teeth, the gums, jaw, and, ultimately, your bloodstream.
• TOOTH OVERCROWDING
  Often, one or more teeth may need to be taken out before an orthodontic treatment, for example, Invisalign or classic braces. An orthodontic treatment is meant to adjust the teeth into their appropriate alignment, which could mean pulling one or multiple teeth if there is not enough room so the remaining teeth can fit. Overcrowded teeth are typically addressed with simple extraction.
• DAMAGE TO THE TOOTH
  Unfortunately, mishaps can happen to us all, and, sometimes, our teeth might be affected. Although the preferred option is usually to make all efforts to save the tooth, it might not be possible. The injury could be caused by a car crash or maybe an athletic or on-the-job accident, but no matter the reason, anyone in Frisco, TX really need to plan an appointment with a dental professional if they have a mouth injury. In some cases, the injury isn't noticeable to a nonprofessional.

RECOVERY PERIOD FOR A DENTAL EXTRACTION
After a tooth extraction, it's vital to understand and carefully adhere to your dentist’s after-care directions. A simple extraction will usually need less recovery time than a surgical extraction; however, it will depend on each case. You may be given a prescription for antibiotics to prevent infection, and maybe a pain medication. You may opt to stick to a liquid diet for the immediate few days following the extraction, when the area is sore and recovering. This is a great chance to indulge in a little ice cream, but you need to also make soup, etc., for healthier foods. You must avoid consuming all tobacco products, prior to and after your procedure, because they may impede your body's ability to heal correctly. Your dentist might tell you to use an antibiotic mouthwash until you are able to go back to brushing and flossing again.

THE ANSWER TO A BETTER, SEXIER SMILE MIGHT INVOLVE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction may be needed for several reasons, including to prevent an infection from spreading, to avoid an impaction, or just to give your remaining teeth more space. Treating all of these problems at MINT dentistry in Frisco is part of achieving your best smile. Call our office in Frisco, TX to arrange a consultation with our experienced dental professionals to learn whether a surgical or simple extraction could be the most effective choice for your new and improved smile.