Learn All About Why Getting A Tooth Pulled Can Boost Overall Oral Health

OFTEN, TOOTH EXTRACTION IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD ACHIEVING YOUR NEW, SEXIER SMILE
In the days when you were a child, pulling a tooth was a sure sign of a little money from the tooth fairy. However, once you had all your adult teeth, losing a tooth became significantly less enjoyable. There are multiple reasons why you may need a tooth extraction to maintain your dental health, like tooth impaction, to avoid overcrowding, or an infected tooth. Even though a tooth extraction may not seem like fun, it's no longer as intimidating or uncomfortable as it used to be. Using current techniques and multiple sedation choices, MINT dentistry in Houston Greenway makes dental extractions a little easier in case you require one. Our team in Houston, TX will carefully evaluate the tooth before saying you need an extraction. When a tooth needs to be extracted, our staff will make sure you are comfortable from start to finish. Keep reading to learn about the two methods of dental extractions and common reasons a tooth or teeth may have to be pulled.

TECHNIQUES USED FOR TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
There are many reasons that a tooth might need to get extracted. To begin, the team at MINT dentistry in Houston Greenway will figure out the reason for your dental problem. Then, they will decide which type of tooth extraction best matches your needs. Almost all dental extractions fit into two main categories:

• SURGICAL EXTRACTION
  An extraction surgery is done if the crown hasn't fully grown out of the gumline. This means that an incision is required to get to the tooth below the gums. If needed, the tooth could be cut into several pieces for a quicker removal. This method is usually utilized to remove the wisdom teeth or an impacted tooth.
• SIMPLE EXTRACTION
  A dental care provider will do a simple extraction if the tooth is visible over the gums. It may be loosened with 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 badly infected, extremely decayed, or damaged beyond repair, or to help with overcrowded teeth.

COMMON REASONS YOU MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A TOOTH EXTRACTED
Numerous types of dental issues could lead to the need for a tooth extraction. One of the most common reasons adults in Houston, TX would need a dental extraction is to head off impaction. These are many of the additional routine reasons you might require a dental extraction:

• SEVERE DECAY
  If a cavity is left untreated or not addressed promptly, it may eat into the pulp inside the tooth. Even though a root canal could potentially be done to save the tooth, it may have to be extracted if the cavity is extreme enough to undermine the tooth's structure. A simple extraction may stop the decay and infection from transferring to other teeth, the gums, jaw, and, finally, your blood.
• TOOTH IMPACTION
  If you have tooth impaction, it means there is some type of obstruction keeping the tooth from growing out of the gums. An impacted tooth might be obstructed by a primary tooth that still hasn't come out on its own, or it may be moving in an irregular direction and is obstructed by a neighboring permanent tooth. Depending upon the cause of the impaction, your dentist might recommend a simple or surgical extraction to alleviate discomfort or avoid an infection.
• OVERCROWDING OF THE TEETH
  For some patients, a tooth or teeth may need to be extracted before an orthodontic treatment, for example, Invisalign or metal braces. An orthodontic treatment is done to move the teeth into the proper alignment, which could necessitate pulling one or more teeth if there is not enough space so the others are able to fit. Tooth overcrowding is usually treated with simple extraction.
• TRAUMA TO THE TOOTH
  Unfortunately, bad luck can happen to anyone, and, occasionally, our teeth could be damaged. While the best choice is generally to try to save the tooth, it might not be possible. The injury might be a result of a car crash or maybe a sports or workplace accident, but whatever the reason, anyone in Houston, TX really need to set up a consultation with a dental professional if they've suffered a tooth injury. Sometimes, the damage isn't obvious right away.
• MOLARS
  Many patients' back molars, also referred to as the wisdom teeth, will, in all likelihood, need to be pulled. The human jaw generally can't fit these particular teeth, so as they start to erupt from the gums (in most people, from the late teens to early twenties), your dentist might recommend a surgical extraction. It's key to get your back molars removed as soon as possible, so they don't become impacted or infected. However, a small number of individuals never need to get their third molars taken out. It's uncommon, but some lucky patients don't develop all four wisdom teeth or even any whatsoever!

RECOVERY TIME FOR A TOOTH EXTRACTION
Following a dental extraction, it's necessary to understand and carefully follow your dentist’s after-care directions. A simple extraction will normally require less recovery time than a surgical extraction; however, it is going to be different for every case. You might be given a prescription for antibiotics to avoid infection, as well as a pain medication. You might decide to stick to a liquid diet for the immediate few days following the procedure, while your mouth is still sensitive and healing. This is a good chance to eat some ice cream, but you need to also make soup, etc., for more nutritious foods. You ought to stop consuming all tobacco products, before and following your treatment, as they may impede your ability to heal correctly. Your dentist might suggest using an antibiotic mouthwash until you are able to begin flossing and brushing again.

THE SOLUTION TO A BETTER, MORE ALLURING SMILE MIGHT INVOLVE A DENTAL EXTRACTION
A tooth extraction might be needed for several reasons, including to stop decay from affecting other teeth, to resolve an impaction, or simply to give your other teeth additional space. Dealing with all of these issues at MINT dentistry in Houston Greenway is important in getting your best smile. Reach out to our practice in Houston, TX to arrange a consultation with our knowledgeable dental professionals to talk about if a surgical or simple extraction might be the most effective treatment for a better, brighter smile.