It’s a known fact that dentists do their best to prevent tooth loss. Thus, an extraction is never their first choice. However, there are situations when it’s in your best interest to have a tooth pulled. As you continue reading, learn about the benefits of tooth pulled and why it may be the best solution for optimal oral health.

What You Could Gain From a Tooth Extraction

If a dentist recommends pulling a tooth, it’s because it will be beneficial to your oral and overall health. Here are some specific reasons why an extraction may be suggested:

  • To stop infection - If you have a severe tooth infection, it won’t go away on its own. In fact, it can eventually travel to other parts of your body if not addressed. Having an infected tooth pulled is a way to prevent this from happening.
  • To relieve pain - An impacted or badly decayed tooth can cause intense pain. By having the tooth removed, you can experience a normal and pain-free life.
  • To correct overcrowding - Often, a partially or fully erupted wisdom tooth (also referred to as the third molar) can cause overcrowding. It can make the other teeth shift and potentially leave them exposed to bacteria growth at the root level. Removing the problematic tooth can provide the relief you need. By tackling either of the above issues head-on with a tooth extraction, you can avoid unnecessary discomfort and the need for complex care down the road.

How Tooth Extractions Work

Before extracting your tooth, your dentist will administer local anesthesia so that you won’t be in any pain during the procedure. After the treatment site is numb, the dentist will free the tooth from the periodontal ligament with a tool called an elevator.

If you have an impacted tooth, it will increase the complexity of the procedure, as it requires an incision into the gum tissue. After the tooth is removed, the socket is stitched, and a protective gauze is placed to assist in forming a blood clot.

Do This To Promote Healing

While it’s not uncommon to experience some slight discomfort after your surgery, there are steps you can take to decrease the pain. You can start by taking ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve or Motrin) to reduce swelling and quiet any discomfort. Additionally, you should avoid any tobacco usage, as the toxins released can cause dry mouth and damage to the socket.

It’s also important to stick to a soft food diet for the first 4-7 days after your surgery. Some acceptable foods are soup, yogurt, pudding and similar soft choices. Of course, you should avoid chewing on the side of your face where the tooth was extracted to prevent an injury.

If you have a severely damaged, impacted or infected tooth that needs to be pulled, it’s best to take immediate action so that the problem doesn’t get worse and require a more costly and time-consuming procedure. By being proactive, you can restore your oral health and get back to leading a normal life.

About the Author

Dr. Dean Hutto earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston. He has since gone on to provide nearly 30 years of expert and compassionate dental care. Along the way, Dr. Hutto has received advanced postgraduate training from some of the premier organizations, which includes tutelage from Dr. Frank Spear at the Seattle Institute and Dr. Pete Dawson of The Dawson Institute for Learning. He performs tooth extractions to restore his patients’ health at Aesthetic Family Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.