Dental extractions are vital to good dental health. By extracting a tooth that is decayed or infected beyond repair, a dentist relieves a patient's pain in the short term while eliminating the long-term risk of damage spreading to surrounding areas.
What Is a Dental Extraction?
Dental extractions are usually performed by a dental surgeon in a dentist's office. A local anesthetic is applied to the area surrounding the tooth to be extracted via a topical numbing agent or injection. The dentist will then gently extract the tooth.
Patients are advised to take certain precautions following an extraction to ensure proper healing. These include:
- Not biting down hard for at least 24 hours
- Avoiding hard or potentially jagged foods, including fruits and vegetables like carrots or apples, until the bleeding stops completely
- Trying to chew with teeth in a different part of the mouth from the extraction site
- Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day in order to prevent bacteria from growing on the exposed root
The Broader Health Impact of Dental Extractions
Dental cavities and broken or cracked teeth don't simply heal themselves. In fact, if ignored, they become significantly worse, to the point of infection and tooth decay. What's worse, infection and decay don't simply confine themselves to the first tooth they afflict. This damage can spread to surrounding teeth, gums, and the jawbone. If left untreated for too long, bacteria and infection can even spread to other parts of the body. At that point, the tooth can no longer be saved and must be extracted to protect the rest of the body.
Common Causes of Dental Extractions
The need for tooth extraction may arise due to a variety of reasons with the most common being:
- Impacted third molars
- Tooth decay
- Infection
- Gum disease
- To make room for orthodontic treatment or dentures
- A broken tooth
If you think you need an extraction and you're in the Jonesboro, AK area, contact dentist Dr. Brett Burris and the team at Dental Solutions to set up a consultation appointment.