Tooth extraction is a dental procedure that entails removing a natural tooth from the mouth. The treatment is geared toward preserving your general dental health by removing a problematic tooth for the greater good of the rest of your mouth. Tooth extractions can be for permanent adult teeth or baby teeth. Many of the tooth extractions that dentists in Spring, TX, perform target diseased or problematic adult teeth.
While some people have a general understanding of tooth extractions, we still have many patients at Spring Creek Forest Dental with lingering questions about the procedure. If you are preparing to get a tooth extraction, before you visit our dentist in Spring, TX, at least go through the frequently asked questions about tooth extractions. They will help you prepare well for your procedure, which will go a long way in overcoming dental anxiety. Some of the commonly asked questions about tooth extractions are:
Your dentist is not mistaken to recommend a tooth extraction, even though dentistry professes to save natural teeth. Sometimes removing one or more of your natural teeth is the only way to persevere the rest of them. The reasons you may need tooth extractions will vary from other patients. They include the following:
Worrying about your discomfort during dental procedures is only natural. When it comes to pulling out a natural tooth, pain is part of the process. Teeth should last a lifetime, so removing them will be countered by some resistance and pain. However, your treatment will not be as painful as you imagine.
Modern dentistry has gone to lengths to maximize patient comfort during dental treatments. Local anesthesia is a crucial first step for tooth extractions. It numbs your mouth, rendering your entire procedure painless. Besides that, dental experts employ sedation dentistry to help calm your nerves and promote relaxation.
Deep sedation is not always necessary for all tooth extraction procedures. Other types of sedation may be employed for simple tooth extractions that do not require surgery. For such levels of sedation, you will not be unconscious during your treatment. However, some tooth extractions are complex and require surgery, for example, when removing an impacted wisdom tooth. In such cases, your dentist will walk you through the importance of general anesthesia for sleep dentistry. During your treatment, you will be asleep, with no recollection of the events of your procedure.
The healing period after tooth extractions differs from one patient to another. Some people heal faster than others. However, it should take about 7-14 days for your mouth to heal properly. However, your dentist will only recommend taking 2-3 days off for the initial recovery right after your procedure. During the first three days, your dentist will emphasize that you stick to soft foods that will not cause any pain or discomfort to your wound. As you heal, you should be able to re-integrate other foods into your diet.
While it may feel like a struggle to quit smoking or drinking after your procedure, it is a necessary precaution. Dentists advise against smoking and drinking alcohol after tooth extractions because they compromise the healing process of your mouth. Your extraction wound may take a long time to heal. Worse, you may incur an infection before the wound heals properly.
Are you looking for tooth extraction in Spring, TX? You can call or book your appointment with Spring Creek Forest Dental today!