Have you been experiencing tooth discomfort recently? You are undoubtedly worried about the cause and potential consequences. It is usually not a good sign when tooth discomfort first sets in. Seeing a dentist quickly increases the likelihood that the tooth can be saved. A restorative dentist in Roanoke can help you with the best options.
Reasons Why Extracting Teeth Might Be Necessary
Having a tooth pulled is a surgery that nobody looks forward to. Many people are nervous when considering tooth extraction because they imagine the dentist yanking at their gums and pulling out their teeth by the roots. The space created by a tooth’s absence is also an issue.
Having the teeth next to the gap shift or lean is undesirable and usually necessitates further dental surgery. Not having a complete set of teeth makes it harder to chew. A gap where a tooth should be can make many people self-conscious.
Tooth extraction is a need for some people, unfortunately. Some of the following conditions can need a tooth extraction:
- Trauma of a severe nature (as would result from an accident)
- A botched root canal
- Rapid degeneration
- Overcrowding
Keeping Teeth From Needing to Be Pulled
Practicing good dental hygiene can save your teeth and avoid an extraction. Accidents and crowded teeth are inevitable, but tooth rot can be mitigated. Tooth decay is primarily caused by plaque.
Plaque produces acid and enzymes that eat away at tooth enamel. Plaque can be reduced by maintaining good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing after each meal. Home dental care is not sufficient to completely prevent plaque buildup. Plaque can also develop along the gum line and in the spaces between teeth. This is why maintaining regular dental checkups and cleanings is essential.
You can put off having to go to the dentist to have a tooth pulled. This may sound like common sense, yet a surprising number of Americans avoid the dentist altogether. Dental checkups and cleanings should be scheduled twice a year at a minimum.
Replacement Teeth in Case of Extraction
Everyone cannot save a tooth. The best-laid plans often fall short. What options do you have after tooth extraction? The missing tooth does not have to bother you any longer. A gap in your smile might affect the health and function of your other teeth.
When one is removed, the ones next to it may shift to fill the void. Having a tooth extracted might also cause discomfort. You should not be concerned about losing a tooth to extraction, though.
Dentists have restorative procedures they can use to replace missing teeth. If you are missing a tooth, dental implants may be the answer. A replacement tooth inserted into your jaw will look and function like your natural teeth. Implants fuse with your bone, providing you with the stability of a natural tooth.
