Learn All About How Getting A Tooth Removed Can Boost General Dental Health

OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS A NECESSARY PART OF SHOWING OFF YOUR BEST SMILE
In the days when you were a little kid, losing a tooth meant a visit from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, as soon as you had all your adult teeth, it became much less fun. There are loads of reasons why you might need a tooth extraction to help your dental health, like an impacted tooth, to prevent overcrowding, or an infected tooth. Even though a dental extraction might not seem like a good time, it's no longer as frightening or uncomfortable as it once was. With contemporary techniques and many sedation options, MINT dentistry in Westheimer makes dental extractions a little easier in the event that you require one. Our staff in Houston, TX will thoroughly assess the tooth or teeth prior to saying you need an extraction. When a tooth needs to be taken out, our team will make sure you are relaxed from start to finish. Read on to learn about the two techniques of dental extractions and common reasons why a tooth or teeth might need to be removed.

KINDS OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are numerous reasons that a tooth may need to get pulled. To begin, the team at MINT dentistry in Westheimer will diagnose the cause of your oral problem. Then, they will be able to determine what type of tooth extraction best fits your case. Most dental extractions fit into two primary categories:

• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dental practitioner will conduct a simple extraction if the tooth has erupted above the gums. It may be loosened using a dental tool known as an elevator before the crown and root are taken out of the jawbone and gums. This method is typically selected if a tooth is seriously infected, very decayed, or irreparable, or to make room for overcrowded teeth.
• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  An extraction surgery is conducted if the tooth hasn't totally broken out of the gums. Therefore, an incision is needed to extract the tooth inside the gums. If necessary, the tooth might be divided into pieces for a quicker extraction. This method is typically utilized to take out the wisdom teeth or an impacted tooth.

STANDARD REASONS YOU COULD HAVE TO GET A TOOTH REMOVED
Multiple different oral issues may result in needing a tooth extraction. Among the most common reasons adults in Houston, TX will need a tooth extraction is to avoid impaction. These are many of the additional standard reasons you may require a dental extraction:

• OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
  Sometimes, one or more teeth might need to be taken out before an orthodontic treatment, for example, Invisalign or standard braces. An orthodontic treatment is meant to shift the teeth into the appropriate alignment, which could require pulling one or more teeth if there is overcrowding so the others are able to fit. Overcrowded teeth are usually resolved with simple extraction.
• TOOTH IMPACTION
  When patients have tooth impaction, it indicates there is some type of blockage keeping the tooth from breaking through the gumline. An impacted tooth could be stuck behind a baby tooth that still hasn't come out on its own, or it might be growing in an abnormal direction and is blocked by a neighboring adult (permanent) tooth. Based upon the reason for the impaction, the dentist can recommend a simple or surgical extraction to alleviate pain or prevent an infection.
• TRAUMA TO THE TOOTH
  Regrettably, accidents can happen to us all, and, sometimes, our teeth could incur trauma. Although the best option is generally to make all efforts to preserve the tooth, it might not be possible. The injury could be caused by a car crash or even a sports or work accident, but no matter the reason, anyone in Houston, TX really should schedule an appointment with a dental professional if they've experienced an oral injury. In some cases, the damage isn't noticeable right away.
• MOLARS
  Your back molars, commonly called the wisdom teeth, will, in all likelihood, need to be removed. The modern human jaw usually can't fit these extra teeth, so when they start to poke out of the gums (typically from ages 15 – 22), your dentist may recommend a surgical extraction. It's important to get your wisdom teeth taken out as early as you can, before they get infected or impacted. However, a small number of individuals don't have to get their wisdom teeth pulled out. It's uncommon, but some fortunate people don't develop all four wisdom teeth or even any whatsoever!
• EXTREME DECAY
  When a dental cavity is ignored or not handled promptly, it can spread to the pulp within the tooth. While a root canal may possibly be used to preserve the tooth, it might need to be taken out if the damage is bad enough to compromise the tooth. A simple extraction can stop the decay and infection from getting into your other teeth, the gum tissue, jawbone, and, finally, your bloodstream.

HEALING TIME AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION
After a dental extraction, it's crucial to understand and diligently follow your dentist’s post-procedure directions. A simple extraction will generally have less healing time compared to a surgical extraction, but it will be different for each case. You might be given a prescription for antibiotics to hold off infection, as well as a pain reliever. You might want to go on a liquid diet for the initial few days following the procedure, while the area is still sensitive and healing. This is a good chance to indulge in some ice cream, but you need to also make smoothies, etc., for healthier meals. You need to avoid consuming all tobacco products, both before and after your treatment, as they may impede your body's ability to heal properly. Your dentist may tell you to use an antibiotic mouthwash until you can begin flossing and brushing again.

THE ANSWER TO A BETTER, MORE APPROACHABLE SMILE MIGHT INCLUDE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction could be done for many reasons, including to prevent an infection from traveling throughout the body, to treat an impaction, or simply to give your other teeth additional space. Dealing with all of these issues at MINT dentistry in Westheimer is important in finally having your healthiest, most alluring smile. Visit our office in Houston, TX to schedule an appointment with our skilled dental professionals to talk about if a surgical or simple extraction could be the optimal answer for your dental health.