Learn All About How Having A Tooth Pulled Can Boost General Oral Health

SOMETIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS STEP ONE OF SHOWING OFF YOUR NEW, SEXIER SMILE
Years ago, when you were still very young, losing a tooth was a sure sign of a dollar or two from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, as soon as you got all your permanent teeth, it became a lot less enjoyable. There are multiple reasons why you may need a dental extraction to help your oral health, such as a tooth that hasn't erupted, to stop overcrowding, or an injured tooth. While a dental extraction may not sound like fun, it's no longer as scary or painful as it once was. Using modern methods and multiple sedation options, MINT dentistry in Pearlandmakes dental extractions a little easier in case you need one. Our dental staff in Pearland, TX will thoroughly assess the tooth or teeth prior to recommending an extraction. If a tooth needs to be pulled, our staff works hard to ensure you stay relaxed from start to finish. Keep reading to learn about the two techniques of tooth extractions and common reasons a tooth or teeth might have to be pulled.

KINDS OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are many reasons that a tooth may have to get pulled. To begin, your team at MINT dentistry in Pearland will diagnose the cause of your dental problem. After that, they can choose what kind of tooth extraction best matches your needs. The majority of tooth extractions fall into two basic categories:

• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  A surgical extraction will be performed when the tooth hasn't totally broken through the gumline. This means that an incision is needed to extract the tooth below the tissue. If needed, the tooth might be cut into several pieces for a less invasive extraction. This method is typically used to remove the wisdom teeth or an impacted tooth.
• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dentist will do a simple extraction if the crown of the tooth has erupted above the gumline. The tooth can be loosened with a dental tool called an elevator, and then the crown and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. A simple extraction is usually selected when a tooth is badly infected, very decayed, or not able to be saved, or to help with overcrowded teeth.

STANDARD REASONS YOU COULD HAVE TO GET A TOOTH REMOVED
A lot of different oral issues can result in needing a tooth extraction. One of the most common reasons people in Pearland, TX will require a tooth extraction is to head off an impacted tooth. These are several of the other standard reasons you may need a dental extraction:

• EXTREME DECAY
  In cases where a cavity is neglected or not treated promptly, it will likely eat into the pulp inside the tooth. Even though a root canal may possibly be performed to save the tooth, it may need to be extracted if the damage is severe enough to weaken the tooth's structure. A simple extraction may keep the decay and disease from spreading to other teeth, the gums, jawbone, and, finally, your circulatory system.
• TOOTH OVERCROWDING
  Often, a tooth or teeth may have to be taken out in order to begin an orthodontic treatment, for example, Invisalign or braces. These treatments are designed to adjust the teeth into the straightest positions, which may require extracting one or multiple teeth if there is overcrowding so the remaining teeth can fit. Overcrowded teeth are generally addressed with a simple extraction.
• DAMAGE TO THE TOOTH
  Sadly, bad luck can happen to anyone, and, occasionally, our teeth could be harmed. Although the ideal option is generally to try to save the tooth, it may not be possible. The injury may be a result of a car accident or maybe an athletic or on-the-job accident, but no matter the reason, anyone in Pearland, TX really should arrange a visit with a dentist if they've experienced an oral injury. Sometimes, the damage might not be obvious right away.
• IMPACTED TOOTH
  When patients have an impacted tooth, it means there is some sort of obstruction preventing the tooth from breaking through the gumline. An impacted tooth could be impeded by a baby tooth that still hasn't come out on its own, or it may be developing in an irregular direction and is obstructed by a nearby adult (permanent) tooth. Based on the source of the impaction, the dentist may recommend a surgical or simple extraction to ease discomfort or prevent an infection.
• WISDOM TEETH
  Your third molars, commonly referred to as the wisdom teeth, will, in all likelihood, need to be taken out. The human jaw normally isn't large enough to fit these additional teeth, so when they start to erupt from the gums (typically from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist may suggest a surgical extraction. It's key to get the third molars taken out as soon as you can, before your teeth get infected or impacted. However, some men and women never have to get their back molars pulled out. Occasionally, some lucky individuals don't develop all four wisdom teeth or even any whatsoever!

HEALING PERIOD FOR A TOOTH EXTRACTION
In the days after a tooth extraction, it's important to understand and diligently follow your dentist’s post-procedure directions. A simple extraction will typically require less recovery time compared to a surgical extraction; however, it is going to vary according to every specific case. You might be given a prescription for antibiotics to avoid infection, as well as a pain medication. You may want to go on a liquid diet for the initial few days after the procedure, while your mouth is still sensitive and healing. This is a fantastic chance to eat some ice cream, but you should also make protein shakes, etc., for healthier foods. You should avoid ingesting any tobacco products, both before and following your procedure, since they may impede your body's capacity to heal properly. Your dentist might tell you to use an antibiotic mouthwash until you can begin brushing and flossing again.

THE BEST WAY TO A HEALTHIER, MORE APPROACHABLE SMILE MAY INVOLVE A DENTAL EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction might be required for several reasons, including to prevent an infection from spreading, to resolve an impaction, or simply to provide your other teeth more space. Treating all of these problems at MINT dentistry in Pearland is important in obtaining your most attractive smile. Visit us in Pearland, TX to schedule an appointment with our experienced dental professionals to learn if a simple or surgical extraction could be the optimal treatment for a healthier, more attractive smile.