You’re not alone if you’re feeling anxious about an upcoming tooth extraction. Many patients get nervous about having dental work done, especially if the procedure could hurt. You might even wonder whether having your troublesome tooth removed is the best way to preserve your smile.
Rest assured, your dentist wouldn’t recommend this treatment if they didn’t feel it was necessary. Continue reading to learn more about 3 of the advantages of undergoing the procedure to help ease your frayed nerves regarding your appointment!
Benefit #1: Alleviate Overcrowding
Did you schedule a consultation with your dentist to discuss another treatment, like undergoing orthodontics or getting dentures, only to be recommended an extraction? This can seem disconcerting if you aren’t expecting it, but it’s not uncommon for providers to extract teeth that are preventing the successful implementation of different services.
For instance, if you’ve lost most of your teeth in your arch and require a full set of dentures to rebuild your grin, any remaining teeth will need to be taken out so that the acrylic base of your restoration can form a strong enough suction against your gums to remain firmly in place.
Benefit #2: Prevent Spreading Decay
Under normal circumstances, you can count on your dentist to do everything they can to protect and preserve your natural teeth. However, if your pearly white is severely decayed, it might be too damaged to be repaired effectively with other services, like tooth-colored fillings or root canals.
You might think it’s okay to leave it alone, but unfortunately, cavities can spread from one tooth to another. If left unaddressed, it can even affect your jawbone, penetrate your gum tissues, or enter your bloodstream and travel to other areas of your body. That means removing the decayed tooth helps preserve your overall oral health.
Benefit #3: Halt Gum Disease
Did you know that periodontitis, or advanced gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults? This condition occurs when bacteria in your mouth penetrate your connective tissues to cause an infection. Although it starts off small and can be reversed in its earlier stages, once it progresses, it can only be managed, not treated.
Furthermore, like cavities, gum disease can spread to other areas of your mouth or contribute to serious health concerns, like diabetes or heart problems. Sometimes, extracting a tooth that’s impacted by severe gum disease can halt its progress to preserve your smile.
If you’re still unsure why your provider recommended an extraction, the best way to find out is to ask them directly!
Meet the Author
Dr. Karen Neil is passionate about helping patients enhance their daily lives by improving their oral health. She earned her dental doctorate from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and today, has 30 years of experience to draw on. She provides a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages to meet their needs under one roof, including tooth extractions. If you’re nervous about your appointment, she also offers nitrous oxide sedation to help you feel relaxed and comfortable throughout your procedure. You can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 738-3368.