Why is Tooth Extraction Necessary in Dentistry?

If there is anything to learn from dentistry, it is that the different practices are aimed to increase the lifespan of a tooth. However, it is not to say that all procedures work the same. This makes you wonder why tooth extraction is necessary for mature adult teeth.

More about Tooth Extraction

It is a dental work procedure that involves removing a mature tooth from its roots. The tooth extraction procedure covers the removal of teeth for both adults and children. However, extracting a child’s tooth may not cause much harm, given that the tooth will grow back. Adult teeth do not grow back after extraction. It is why a dentist near you will explore all viable options for treating your tooth before the extraction process.

When is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

As dental care focuses on increasing the lifespan of teeth, tooth extraction is not always necessary. This means that your tooth will only be pulled out with absolute necessity. Determining this need is always a deliberation between you and your dentist. He/she will run you through your options, with concrete reasons why you need to remove your tooth. Some of the reasons why teeth are extracted include the following:

• Wisdom teeth removal – this is one of the leading reasons why adults get their teeth removed. Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to grow on the mouth. They feature molars that grow at the furthest back of the mouth, on both the lower and upper jaws. These sets of teeth grow between the ages of 16 and 25. Some people are lucky to have their teeth grow properly. Others have misshapen and impacted wisdom teeth.
• Decayed teeth – tooth decay on adults can be detrimental. It can cause an infection for all the adjacent teeth and surrounding tissues. When a tooth is severely decayed, saving that tooth puts the rest of the healthy teeth at risk of infection. Such a case merits the extraction of the tooth to safeguard the overall health of your mouth.
• Crowded mouth – in orthodontics, a crowded mouth is a situation where the teeth are too large for the jaw, or too many thereof. Sometimes the milk teeth are stubborn to fall off. This means that they do not allow room for the growth of adult teeth. In that case, a patient can have two sets of teeth within the same area. This causes a crowded mouth. To make room for the teeth to align properly, the extraction of such teeth is necessary.
• Broken teeth – the only situation where tooth extraction is necessary for broken teeth is when the damage is too significant. Sometimes the breakage of a tooth leaves behind a very small amount of the tooth structure. A dentist in Beverly Hills, CA will tell you that saving the remaining part, would in this case not be worth the expense.
• Fractured bones – a traumatic accident can cause severe damage to the mouth of a patient. One of the greatest risks is that of fracturing your bone structure. This means that the teeth may not have adequate support to hold them in place. If the fracture is significant, then removing a tooth or more is necessary to save your mouth from further damage. A dentist in 90069 has first to examine the extent of the bone damage relative to the health of your teeth.

How Do You Care for Your Mouth After The Procedure?

The removal of a tooth from its root can be uncomfortable to bear with and takes time. Tooth extraction aftercare is, therefore, a big part of your treatment. Once you leave the dentist’s chair, you will be equipped with some information on how to care for your mouth, particularly within the first few days. Some of the tips include:

• Cold compress – your dentist will mention the importance of eating ice-cream a few hours after your procedure. The benefit is that of alleviating the pain and swelling.
• Dislodging the blood clot – with time, your body will form a clot at the site of extraction. The clot is necessary to control the bleeding and aid healing. Resist the urge to run your tongue at that spot as this is the one way to dislodge the clot.
• Soft foods – within the first few days after your procedure, you have no option but to stick to soft foods. This will be gentle on your gums as they heal.