When and Why They Are Tooth Extractions Needed?

You may need tooth extraction at some point in your life. Your general dentist will examine your teeth first. This will help determine which tooth needs extraction. Understanding the time and reason for this dental procedure can help you prepare for your next appointment. Here are the details about when and why tooth extraction must take place.

When tooth extraction is necessary

Practicing good oral health every day can help keep natural teeth intact. After some years, undetected dental problems may arise. Infections or injuries may need a tooth extraction. A general dentist can provide this procedure. Sometimes, this procedure is the only way to keep one’s dental health intact. Here are the times when tooth extraction is necessary:

• Severe dental infection or injury will need this procedure. The dentist will assess the damage to the tooth. If it extends beyond the gumline, the dentist will not be able to save the tooth anymore. Extracting the tooth must happen. That way, the pain will stop and the rest of the neighboring teeth will stay healthy.
• An impacted wisdom tooth will need tooth extraction as well. Some people have healthy wisdom teeth that grow in a normal way. Others have wisdom teeth that grow in a way that hurts the individual. The wisdom tooth may be growing sideways, pushing against the neighboring tooth. The tooth may also be growing in a jaw that does not have room for another tooth. This is when the general dentist will suggest and perform a tooth extraction.
• Baby teeth that do not fall out in time will need extraction as well. This must happen so that permanent teeth can erupt the right way.
• Tooth extraction can provide more room for dental alignment. When the patient wears braces, there will be enough room for the other teeth to move into their proper positions.

Why tooth extraction is necessary

An individual may need a tooth extraction for either baby teeth or adult teeth. The dentist will determine if the patient needs this procedure. A clear assessment of the patient’s affected teeth is necessary for this. Here are some reasons for having tooth extraction.

Resolving periodontal disease is a strong reason for extracting a tooth. Gum infection can eat away the gum ligaments and other dental structures. This will result in tooth loosening. The dentist will need to extract the tooth and clean the infected gum tissue. This will clear the infection and prevent more gum sections from experiencing the same way.

Keeping the rest of the mouth healthy is a reason for removing a tooth. Tooth decay may go undetected for years. When this happens, the decay may cause damage to the outer and inner parts of the tooth. This severe level of decay will need a tooth extraction. The procedure will prevent the bacterial infection from spreading.

Relieving the pain from an impacted tooth is a common reason for tooth extraction. The impacted wisdom tooth may be infected. It could also be pressing on a neighboring tooth. Removing the tooth will relieve the pressure and pain from the site.

Extracting the tooth with severe injury is also a reason for this procedure. The dentist will check the patient’s teeth after the injury or accident. Ordering dental X-rays can confirm the degree of damage that the tooth has. If the fracture or breakage has already reached the jawbone, the dentist will remove the tooth.

Preparing for tooth extraction

The patient must prepare well for the consultation and the procedure itself. Losing a tooth is a huge matter since the individual will be leaving the clinic with at least one tooth less. Preparing for the process and the recovery is crucial. Here are the important pointers to keep in mind when preparing for tooth extraction:

• Be ready to discuss one’s medical history. This will include current and past health conditions. The patient must be honest when it comes to sharing medical issues that can cause infections or make the patient vulnerable to complications. Share current supplements and medications.
• Ask relevant questions about the procedure. Doing so can help the patient understand the treatment and the recovery involved.
• Discuss sedation options and pain relievers. Sedation or local anesthesia will be necessary before the tooth extraction. Patients with dental anxiety may need more than local anesthetics. The dentist will make sure that the procedure will be relaxing and comfortable for the patient.
• Refrain from eating about 12 hours before tooth extraction. This can prevent nausea during and even after the treatment.
• Refrain from smoking 12 hours before and 24 hours after the surgery. This activity will prevent proper healing. It can also increase the risk of dry socket.

Knowing when and why tooth extraction is necessary can help you go through it

Your dentist will confirm if you need to have a tooth or teeth removed. This invasive procedure is important in maintaining your dental and general health. It can be scary for those who are not used to any type of surgery. But understanding tooth extraction can help you relax about it.

Request an appointment here: https://www.diamondheaddentalcare.com or call Diamond Head Dental Care at (808) 450-2101 for an appointment in our Honolulu office.

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