The Facts About Why Getting A Tooth Extracted Can Help General Oral Health

OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A VITAL STEP IN SHOWING OFF YOUR MOST BEAUTIFUL 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. Sadly, as soon as you had all your adult teeth, it became a lot less enjoyable. There are several reasons that you may require a tooth extraction to help your oral health, like an impacted tooth, to avoid overcrowding, or an injured tooth. While a dental extraction might not sound like fun, it's not as scary or painful as it used to be. With contemporary techniques and several sedation options, MINT dentistry in Katy makes tooth extractions a bit easier in case you need one. Our dental staff in Houston, TX will carefully examine the affected tooth or teeth prior to suggesting an extraction. If a tooth needs to be pulled, our staff strives to ensure you stay comfortable from beginning to end. Keep reading to explore both main methods of tooth extractions and the top reasons a tooth might have to be extracted.

TYPES OF DENTAL EXTRACTIONS
There are numerous reasons why a tooth may have to get removed. First, your team at MINT dentistry in Katy will diagnose the reason for your oral problem. Then, they will be able to determine which kind of tooth extraction best matches your case. Most tooth extractions are based on two primary categories:

• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dentist will perform a simple extraction if your tooth has erupted above the gumline. It is often loosened using a dental tool called an elevator, and then the tooth and root are removed from the jawbone and gum tissue. This technique is usually selected when a tooth is seriously infected, extremely decayed, or irreparable, or to make room for overcrowded teeth.
• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  A surgical extraction is performed when the tooth hasn't fully erupted through the gumline. This means that an incision is required to extract the tooth below the gums. If needed, the tooth could be divided into pieces for a quicker removal. A surgical extraction is typically chosen to pull the back molars or an impacted tooth.

COMMON REASONS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Multiple types of dental problems can lead to having to get a tooth extraction. Among the leading reasons people in Houston, TX would get a tooth extraction is to avoid an impacted tooth. These are some of the other common reasons you might need a dental extraction:

• TOOTH OVERCROWDING
  In many cases, a tooth or teeth may have to be extracted to prepare for an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or classic braces. These treatments are made to shift the teeth into the correct alignment, which might necessitate extracting one or multiple teeth if there is not enough space so the remaining teeth are able to fit. Overcrowded teeth are usually resolved with a simple extraction.
• DAMAGE TO THE TOOTH
  Sadly, bad luck can happen to the best of us, and, sometimes, our teeth could incur trauma. Although the preferred solution is generally to make all efforts to preserve the tooth, it isn't always possible. The injury might be due to a car accident or perhaps a sports or on-the-job accident, but no matter the reason, patients in Houston, TX really should plan a visit with a dental professional if they've suffered a tooth injury. Sometimes, the damage isn't noticeable to a nonprofessional.
• WISDOM TEETH
  Your third molars, often referred to as the wisdom teeth, will, in all likelihood, need to be removed. The human jaw generally isn't big enough fit these additional teeth, so if they begin to erupt from the gums (usually from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist may recommend a surgical extraction. It's best to get your wisdom teeth extracted as early as you can, before they get impacted or infected. But a small number of men and women don't need to get their third molars extracted. Very rarely, some lucky people don't develop all four molars or even any at all!
• TOOTH IMPACTION
  When patients have tooth impaction, it means there is some sort of problem preventing the tooth from growing out of the gum tissue. An impacted tooth might be obstructed by a primary tooth that hasn't come out on its own, or it may be moving in an irregular direction and is obstructed by a neighboring permanent tooth. Based upon the source of the impaction, your dentist might suggest a simple or surgical extraction to ease discomfort or prevent an infection.
• EXCESSIVE DECAY
  If a cavity is ignored or not addressed appropriately, it will likely extend into the pulp within the tooth. Even though a root canal could potentially be conducted to save the tooth, it might have to be taken out if the decay is extensive enough to undermine the tooth. A simple extraction may stop the decay and infection from moving into other teeth, the gums, jawbone, and, ultimately, your blood.

HEALING TIME AFTER A DENTAL EXTRACTION
In the days after a tooth extraction, it's important to pay attention to and diligently follow your dentist’s post-procedure instructions. A simple extraction will normally have less recovery time compared to a surgical extraction; however, it is going to depend on each specific case. You could be given a prescription for antibiotics to hold off infection, as well as a pain reliever. You might choose to stick to a liquid diet for the immediate couple of days following the procedure, while your gums are tender and recovering. This is a fantastic opportunity to snack on some ice cream, but you ought to also make soup, etc., for healthier foods. You should stop using all tobacco products, both prior to and after your procedure, because they can impair your ability to heal properly. Your dentist might recommend using an antibiotic mouthwash until you are able to begin flossing and brushing again.

THE SOLUTION TO A HEALTHIER, MORE ALLURING SMILE MAY INCLUDE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction could be needed for many reasons, including to stop an infection from spreading, to address an impaction, or simply to give your remaining teeth more space. Treating all of these problems at MINT dentistry in Katy is important in achieving your dream smile. Call our team in Houston, TX to set up an appointment with our knowledgeable dental professionals to find out if a surgical or simple extraction could be the optimal option for your new and improved smile.