Once all your baby teeth fall off, you have to take responsibility of looking after all your new teeth. Unfortunately, we are not very good at defending our teeth from ourselves. We tend to eat the wrong things and do the wrong things (smoking). The best part is that we do not even try to hide the evidence of our wrongdoings (brushing and flossing our teeth after eating food). Gradually, the evidence multiples and creates havoc on our teeth. After years and years of neglect, your dentist tells you that you need to get your tooth pulled, but why?

Main Reasons for Getting Your Tooth Pulled


The followings reasons will shed a light on the several reasons a dentist at Pearland Family Dentistry will advise you to get your tooth pulled:

      ·         Your tooth is so damaged that it is beyond repair and the only option left is pulling it.

      ·         You are visiting a dentist for orthodontic treatment and in order for the treatment to proceed; the dentist might need to pull some of your teeth.

      ·         The infection has spread all the way to the blood vessels and nerves of the tooth. The infection   has worsened and root canal therapy or a dose of antibiotics will not stop the infection from spreading. In this instance, the only way to cease the spread of the infection to others parts of your mouth is to get the infected tooth pulled.

      ·         Cancer patients have an increased risk of developing an infection, as their immune system is  weakened die to chemotherapy. If an infection already exists, it will worsen or it may develop.

      ·         Gum or periodontal disease is an infection of the bones and teeth that surround and support the teeth. If the teeth have loosened as a result of this disease, the dentist will go ahead and pull the tooth.

What Types of Extraction Technique will the Dentist Use?

Once the cause for getting your tooth pulled has been discovered, Pearland dentists will use one out of the three main techniques to pull your teeth. The three main techniques are:
       1.      Simple Extraction- The dentist removes the tooth in one piece.

       2.      Sectional Extraction- If the dentist is unable to pull the tooth in one piece; he/she will separate the roots of the tooth using a handpiece to take each root out individually.

       3.      Surgical Extraction- The dentist might need to perform surgery on the teeth, as the tooth as not come through the gum or has broken below it. 

What Precautions to Take After Your Tooth Extraction is Completed?

Once the dentist extracts your tooth, you need to take the following precautionary steps:  

  Ø  Do not touch the wound sharp utensils while eating. 

  Ø  Do not chew on the side with no tooth, but chew from the other side for 24 hours.

  Ø  If you smoke, be sure not to smoke for 72 hours, as it will delay the healing process, causing the  area to bleed.

  Ø  For eight hours, do not brush your teeth.

  Ø  Do not rinse your mouth for 24 hours.

  Ø  Do not suck drinks through a straw or spit. 

If you suspect you need to get your tooth pulled, make an appointment with Pearland Family Dentistry.