The Facts About How Having A Tooth Extracted Can Boost Your Oral Health

SOMETIMES, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD SHOWING OFF YOUR NEW, SEXIER SMILE
Years ago, when you were still a little kid, pulling a tooth signaled a visit from the tooth fairy. However, as soon as you had all your adult teeth, losing a tooth became much less fun. There are loads of reasons that you may have a dental extraction to help your oral health, such as tooth impaction, to stop overcrowding, or an injured tooth. Even though a dental extraction might not be a good time, it's no longer as scary or uncomfortable as it used to be. With modern techniques and many sedation choices, MINT dentistry in McKinney makes dental extractions a little easier if you need one. Our dental team in McKinney, TX will carefully examine the tooth prior to recommending an extraction. When a tooth needs to be taken out, our team strives to make sure you stay comfortable from start to finish. Read on to find out about the two methods of dental extractions and common reasons a tooth or teeth may have to be removed.

TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are many reasons that a tooth might need to be pulled. To begin, your team at MINT dentistry in McKinney will determine the cause of your oral issue. Then, they will choose which type of tooth removal best suits your case. The majority of tooth extractions fall into two basic categories:

• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  A surgical extraction is performed when the crown hasn't completely erupted out of the gumline. This means that an incision is required to get to the tooth under the tissue. If necessary, the tooth may be divided into many pieces for a less invasive extraction. A surgical extraction is typically utilized to pull the back molars or a tooth that hasn't erupted.
• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dental practitioner will conduct a simple extraction if the crown of the tooth is visible over the gums. The tooth is often loosened by a dental tool called an elevator, and then the crown and root are removed from the jawbone and gums. This technique is typically selected if a tooth is seriously infected, extremely decayed, or irreparable, or to make room for overcrowding.

TYPICAL REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Multiple different dental issues can lead to needing a tooth extraction. One of the top reasons patients in McKinney, TX might get a tooth extraction is to head off an impacted tooth. Here are several of the additional routine reasons you may require a tooth extraction:

• IMPACTED TOOTH
  If you have tooth impaction, it signals that there is some type of problem preventing the tooth from growing through the gums. An impacted tooth may be obstructed by a primary tooth that still hasn't come out on its own, or it may be growing in the wrong direction and is obstructed by another adult (permanent) tooth. Depending upon the cause of the impaction, the dentist may recommend a simple or surgical extraction to reduce pain or prevent an infection.
• OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
  For some patients, a tooth or teeth may need to be removed before an orthodontic treatment, for example, Invisalign or standard braces. These treatments are designed to shift the teeth into their straightest positions, which may mean extracting one or more teeth if there is not enough space so the remaining teeth can fit. Tooth overcrowding is usually treated with simple extraction.
• SEVERE DECAY
  If a dental cavity is left untreated or not treated in time, it will likely spread to the pulp within the tooth. Although a root canal might potentially be used to preserve the tooth, it may have to be removed if the cavity is extensive enough to compromise the tooth. A simple extraction may keep the decay and infection from spreading to other teeth, the gums, jaw, and, eventually, your circulatory system.
• TRAUMA TO THE TOOTH
  Sadly, bad luck can happen to us all, and, occasionally, our teeth could be damaged. While the preferred option is usually to try to preserve the tooth, it isn't always possible. The injury may be caused by a car crash or maybe an athletic or on-the-job accident, but no matter the reason, patients in McKinney, TX really should set up an appointment with a dental practitioner if they've suffered an oral injury. Sometimes, the injury isn't visible to a nonprofessional.
• MOLARS
  Most people's third molars, frequently referred to as the wisdom teeth, will most likely have to be pulled. The human jaw generally isn't large enough to fit these extra teeth, so as they begin to erupt from the gum tissue (usually during the late teens to early twenties), your dentist might suggest a surgical extraction. It's key to have the wisdom teeth extracted as soon as possible, before your teeth become impacted or infected. However, some people never need to get their third molars removed. Very rarely, some lucky patients don't get all four molars or even any whatsoever!

HEALING TIME FOR HAVING A TOOTH REMOVED
Following a tooth extraction, it's important to understand and diligently adhere to your dentist’s healing directions. A simple extraction will typically need less recovery time compared to a surgical extraction; however, it is going to vary according to each case. You may be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection, and maybe a pain reliever. You may want to stick to a soft foods diet for the first couple of days following the procedure, when your gums are sore and healing. This is a fantastic opportunity to snack on some ice cream, but you should also make soup, etc., for healthier foods. You ought to stop using any tobacco products, both before and after your treatment, since they can impair your body's capacity to heal properly. Your dentist might tell you to use an antibiotic oral rinse until you are able to go back to brushing and flossing again.

THE ANSWER TO A BETTER, SEXIER SMILE MAY INCLUDE A TOOTH EXTRACTION
A dental extraction could be needed for many reasons, such as to prevent an infection from affecting other teeth, to resolve an impaction, or simply to allow your other teeth enough space. Dealing with all of these problems at MINT dentistry in McKinney is part of achieving your most attractive smile. Call us in McKinney, TX to arrange an appointment with our skilled staff to determine whether a surgical or simple extraction could be the optimal option for your new and improved smile.