When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

Apr 04, 2023

What is Tooth Extraction?

Tooth removal is a dental procedure in which a tooth is pulled from the mouth. It can be done for various reasons, such as to relieve pain and discomfort, remove an infected tooth, or make room for orthodontic treatment. The process involves numbing the area around the tooth and using specialized tools to loosen and extract it from its socket. After the procedure, you should follow the dentist’s instructions for proper healing and recovery.

When are Dental Extractions Necessary?

A pediatric dentist near you may recommend a dental extraction for several reasons that, include:

  • Infected teeth

You may have tooth decay if you feel pain or other symptoms when chewing. Tooth decay is a bacterial infection that can cause damage to the tooth and its surrounding tissue, eventually leading to tooth loss. The best form of treatment is a root canal—a procedure where a dentist removes the pulp from the center of your tooth (the part that contains nerve endings) and replaces it with an artificial filling made of plastic or metal.

However, if the tooth is severely infected, get dental extractions in Columbia, SC, to remove the infected teeth and prevent further damage.

  • Severely Decayed teeth

Decayed teeth can be very painful and cause other problems, such as infections that could spread to your whole body. To treat this condition, your kid’s dentist near you will remove the damaged portions of your teeth and fill them with a material that will support their structure until they can grow back. If your teeth are severely decayed, you may need to remove them and replace them with dental implants or dentures. If you have several teeth damaged by decay, we can also restore them using crowns. Crowns act as tooth-shaped caps that cover the top of a tooth’s exposed surface, making it look more natural than any other replacement option.

If you have a severely decayed tooth, you should consider having the tooth pulled before infection spreads. This is especially true for people at risk for oral cancer or other cancers due to smoking.

  • Impacted teeth.

If your tooth is impacted, it’s stuck in the jaw, and various things, including injuries to the mouth or TMJ disorder, can cause it. Impacted teeth can also affect jaw strength and weaken the teeth. The dentist in Columbia, SC, may opt for teeth extraction to remove the teeth and preserve the remaining food.

  • Overcrowded teeth.

If your teeth are overcrowded, you may be at risk for gum disease and tooth decay. Tooth extraction is the best treatment for overcrowded teeth because it can help prevent these problems. Teeth removal is done to pave the way for orthodontic treatment.

  • Overstayed baby teeth

Overstayed baby teeth occur when the baby teeth fail to fall out, and the adult teeth have difficulty pushing them out, resulting in a crowded mouth. This can lead to dental issues such as crooked or misaligned teeth, difficulty with eating and speaking, and even jaw pain. A children’s dentist near you will recommend a dental extraction to remove these teeth and create room for permanent teeth to come out.

What Happens When A Tooth Is Extracted?

The procedure typically involves local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. Then Dr. Amy Ellis Green will use special tools to remove the tooth from its socket gently. After a tooth is extracted, it’s important to take proper care of the area where it was removed to promote healing and prevent infection.

Tips For Extraction Recovery

Recovery after teeth extraction will take a couple of days, but there are several things you can do to hasten the process:

  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Take pain medication as directed.
  • Avoid eating hard foods for 3-4 days after the extraction; this will help your body heal faster and prevent complications that could occur later on down the line (like tooth loss).
  • Avoid smoking, chewing tobacco, or using other mouth products like mouthwash that might irritate your gums or cause infection in the wound area whenever you eat something with spicy flavors like chili peppers or hot sauce.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit We Care Dental SC for more information about dental extractions and what you can expect.