We’re not going to lie, going to the dentist is a tad frightening. Even as dentists ourselves, we worry about any possible bad news we may receive. However, knowing the facts and understanding what to do to prevent issues can make the experience, well, not so scary. One procedure that makes everyone cringe at the thought is tooth extractions. With proper dental care, tooth extractions won’t be so scary. Here are five facts you should know about tooth extractions.
Fact #1: It Isn’t as Painful as You Think
When many of us think about tooth extractions, we often picture being tied down to a chair and some grubby man sticking a pair of pliers into our mouths. They promise to yank on the count of three, but do so a beat too early. There’s blood and pain and tears (and in this scenario, probably a few screams too). However, this is not the case. With tooth extractions, like when you get your wisdom teeth removed, you’ll be given anesthesia, pain killers, and instructions for a proper recovery. Tooth extractions are outpatient procedures, meaning you’ll be home the same day as the procedure. While you may experience some discomfort or pain afterward, it’s nowhere near as scary as many people think it is.
Fact #2: Avoidable Becomes Necessary
The health of your gums and teeth is important. By maintaining good brushing and eating habits, you can avoid many serious problems with both. To do so, be sure to brush your teeth two to three times a day, floss regularly, use mouthwash, and avoid acidic foods and soft drinks. By making small changes in your daily lifestyle, you can avoid many serious problems. However, if you adopt poor habits, it can make tooth extractions necessary.
Fact #3: Tooth Extractions are Sometimes Unavoidable
While the biggest factor that plays into whether you need a tooth extraction is your oral health, other factors can cause you to need one as well. Oftentimes, when children are preparing to get braces, their dentist will need to extract a tooth, usually a baby tooth that has neglected to fall out on its own, to better prepare for the braces.
In addition, car accidents, facial injuries, and certain diseases may cause one to need a tooth extraction–no matter how great their oral health is. While we, of course, recommend you take the best care of your teeth, just know that the reason isn’t always in your hands or something you can control.
Tooth Extractions in El Paso
For the best oral healthcare, we recommend you visit us here at Lee Trevino Dental. We can help you maintain good oral health to avoid needing tooth extractions and can help you if the need ever arises. For more information or to set up an appointment, call us today!
