The Reality about Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions are dental procedures recommended by dentists to remove one or more teeth from the mouth. The teeth recommended removal are the ones that are damaged, beyond repair, and problematic teeth. When recommended tooth removal by your dentist, you probably feel the dentist is trying to upsell replacement options or think about various reasons un-intended by the dentist. You never stop for a moment to realize the dentist is saving you from complications in the mouth by recommending tooth removal to better your oral health.

There are many reasons why people commonly need teeth extracted. The dentist’s role is to preserve every tooth they can without suggesting tooth removal to upsell other treatments. Instead, dentists attempt to save the tooth by recommending intensive therapies like root canals, whether damaged or decayed. Tooth extractions are reserved as a last resort for people when all other remedies fail.

What Are the Common Reasons for Tooth Extractions?

• Overcrowding:Overcrowding of the mouth requires one or more teeth extracted to make sufficient room for the remaining teeth to erupt correctly. When undergoing orthodontic treatments, one or more teeth may need removal to straighten the other teeth and make space for them to move into their correct positions.
• Dental Trauma and Decay: the most significant reason for recommending tooth extractions is that dental trauma has damaged the tooth beyond repair. The dentist must remove it to replace it with alternatives. When damaged or decayed teeth are removed, dentists replace the tooth with implants, dental bridges, or dentures.
• Intensive Fractures:When teeth suffer intensive fractures to a point where repair is impossible, dentists recommend tooth extractions.
• Wisdom Teeth Extractions.Your third molars erupting between 17 and 25 are often the first to receive a recommendation for extraction. Wisdom teeth often cause pain and oral complications like tooth decay and gum disease and are best removed by the dentist before you begin experiencing problems.

If recommended tooth extractions by your dentist for any reason, it helps to question the dentist why they suggest tooth removal when they are the designated saviors of teeth. The dentist’s information helps you understand the professional is recommending tooth extractions to help you prevent unnecessary complications that will soon affect you if they haven’t already. Therefore instead of casting aspersions on the dentist, you benefit better by having your damaged or decayed tooth removed to prevent complications in your mouth.

How Are Tooth Extractions Performed?

Whether the dentist recommends removing a single visible tooth or an impacted wisdom tooth, there are two types of tooth extractions, they are:

• Simple Extractions:Visible teeth often undergo the tooth extraction procedure in a straightforward removal. The dentist completes the process in the dental office, enabling you to leave soon after the tooth removal and stopping the bleeding. Visible teeth are comfortably extracted using instruments like elevators and forceps.
• Surgical Extraction:Teeth not comfortably accessible are removed in surgical extraction. Surgical extractions are required for impacted teeth that haven’t broken through the gum line, and the extractions require potent anesthesia to make you comfortable. Surgical extractions are performed by oral surgeons in a hospital setting, although some dentists have the infrastructure to perform these procedures in the dental office.

Most teeth extractions are simple, but if you need a surgical extraction, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon for the removal.

Tooth Extraction After-Care

After having a tooth removed, you will undoubtedly experience discomfort and soreness for a few days or a week after your process. Most dentists prescribe pain medication to help manage the pain. Having a prescription and taking the recommended dosage helps you significantly lower the pain in the days following the procedure.

Dentists recommend avoiding crunchy and hard foods to prevent damages to the extraction site. They suggest having soft foods like mashed potatoes, macaroni, and cheese for a few days after the procedure besides yogurt, applesauce, et cetera. You must avoid scorching or spicy foods besides alcohol to prevent reactions with medications prescribed for several days.

You can consume your regular diet soon as you are comfortable doing so. Get some rest after the tooth extraction procedure and begin brushing and flossing as you usually do 24 hours after tooth extraction remembering to do so gently around the extraction site. If you experience abnormal pain or severe bleeding during your recovery, call your dentist for advice immediately.