Pulling Teeth: When a Tooth Pull is Necessary
Pulling teeth is the last resort when there is no other perceivable manner to save the tooth in question. It might sound like something only children must endure, but the truth is, our bones–teeth included–wear and rot away as we grow older, and sometimes we have no other choice.
When Should a Tooth Be Pulled?
The first teeth that come to mind when we think of pulling are wisdom teeth. Most of us have had wisdom teeth removal when we were teenagers, and these instances bring memories of painful recovery. There is always a risk, though, of infection killing a tooth from the roots later in life. During such instances, a doctor might recommend performing a root canal and inserting a false tooth.
Wisdom Teeth Pain
Many people have experienced the pain of wisdom teeth as they grow and cause trouble along the jawline. Though root canals are not fun for anybody, there is a reason that wisdom teeth are seldom left to grow where they will; the sooner you pull a tooth from your jaw and eliminate these complications, the faster you will feel relief.
Periodontal Disease
Also known as a gum infection, periodontal disease is another reason why people might find it necessary to have their teeth pulled. In this case, it might be the only way to free your gum so that the injury can heal. After the tooth is pulled for periodontal disease, doctors will monitor your health, providing gum treatments when necessary to ensure that it is healing satisfactorily, helping you along with antibiotics and checkups.
Teeth Misalignment
If you were not given braces when your adult teeth were coming in, you might struggle with misaligned teeth. They make it difficult to brush your teeth, often leaving hard-to-spot cavities where dirt might hide and develop into infections. The result could be a damaged tooth that needs to be pulled before this infection goes on to rot the rest of your mouth.
Severe Decay
Bad habits, such as not brushing one’s teeth properly, can end in severe dental decay. When your tooth is so sick that it’s rotten from the inside, there is little else that can be done but to pull it; a tooth so infected will cause severe pain and bring other side effects, such as bad breath and difficulty eating.
Teeth Overcrowding
Our teeth do not naturally grow in the rows that we see in our anatomy books. If we were not given braces as children, our teeth might have grown in a cluster to one side of the mouth, causing overcrowding and making it difficult to clean. One tooth might have to be removed in order to keep the rest of them healthy.
Irreparable Damage
There are many factors that could cause irreparable damage to a tooth, leading to its being pulled. Though no one wants to have a missing tooth in their later years, it might be their only choice.
What Happens During a Tooth Pull
We live in a time during which these procedures can be painless. Our doctors and nurses have the tools and medicine to numb the mouth before any action is taken, so you might not even notice that the tooth has been pulled until it is out of your mouth.
Does Pulling a Tooth Hurt?
If you are given anesthesia during the operation for a tooth pull, you might not feel it leave your mouth. You’ll be given pain medicine to take in your house as this anesthesia wears off, and you might feel a dull ache in your gums for a week or two. If it persists, consult with your dentist; this might signal another health problem.
Methods for Pulling Teeth
Generally, there are two ways a dentist might go about pulling teeth. If the tooth is already loose, your mouth might be numbed and the tooth pulled right there. If, however, the problem is root-deep, a procedure requiring several visits might be required for tooth extraction–especially if you have more than one sick tooth.
Simple Extraction
The simple extraction of a tooth is not very different from a child losing their baby teeth. One quick pull and the problem is taken care of. You might have an unsightly hole in your mouth for a few weeks while you heal from pulling a tooth, but you can always fill that in with a veneer.
Surgical Extraction
Surgical extractions are more complicated. They might require that your gum be opened and the roots cut from the tip before pulling a tooth. The procedure might sound frightening, but dentists know what they are doing. You will feel better after the dentist pulls the tooth, freeing your mouth from infection.
What to Expect After a Dentist Pulls a Tooth
As living creatures, we all have to take care of our bodies. Sometimes we forget that our teeth need serious care as adults, too. If you think you might need a tooth pulled, consult a dentist…and don’t be afraid of pain if the dentist pulls the tooth. Times have changed; soon, you won’t even remember the tooth pain was there.