While tooth extractions may seem rather daunting, you’d be surprised to know that they are rather simple procedures. The fear that people have for tooth extractions comes from a general lack of understanding of how they work. To help remedy this, we thought it would be useful to put together a brief article about this subject. If this is something that you’re interested in learning more about, read on as we break down everything you need to know about tooth extractions.
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
This common dental procedure helps relieve patients’ pain and ensures that they have a healthy mouth. Tooth extractions are performed by a dentist or oral surgeon and is a relatively quick outpatient procedure. Removing visible teeth is a simple extraction performed under local or general anesthesia. If the teeth are broken, below the surface, or impacted, then more serious measures are required.
What Are the Signs That Indicate You Need a Tooth Extraction?
One way to know you need a tooth extracted is if you have difficulty eating or talking, pain or stiffness in your jaw, difficulty opening your mouth, and tender gums. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to visit the dentist. Patients often need their teeth pulled for several reasons. Young children and teenagers who have not been able to lose all of their baby teeth on their own often need to have some of their teeth removed, but adults will sometimes need teeth to be removed as well.
Overcrowding of the teeth can result when there isn’t enough room in the jaw to house all of the teeth. The crowding of teeth can prevent other teeth from coming in properly; it can affect your bite and more. Overcrowded teeth can be corrected by orthodontic care, but sometimes removing the tooth is the most effective treatment plan. Wisdom teeth are often the cause of overcrowding because they erupt later in life and can shift teeth around, causing bite problems. Removing wisdom teeth can help prevent orthodontic care problems, and also reduce pain.
In the advanced stage of gum disease, the infection has grown so far that it can lead to bone loss. This can require a tooth to be removed to clean out the bacteria and heal the advanced infection. Good oral hygiene prevents gum disease from becoming too serious.
How Do You Prepare for a Tooth Extraction?
Before your procedure, your dentist will take an X-ray of your tooth. This helps them prepare for the procedure. Before the procedure itself, be sure to tell your dentist about any medications you take in an emergency, as well as vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you gain a better understanding of how tooth extractions work. While they may seem scary at first, they can be rather simple procedures that can be done with ease. Be sure to keep everything you’ve learned here in mind so that you can make the most informed decisions that will help improve your oral health.
If you’re looking for dental care in Melrose, then you’ve come to the right place. Melrose Dental Group offers comprehensive dental care to help any patient deal with any oral issue. For more information on what we can do for you, visit our website today!