How A Tooth Extraction Can Improve Oral Health

Tooth extraction can be used to treat a range of dental issues. Teeth play an important role when it comes to dental and overall health, but there are times when it is better to remove them and replace them with an oral prosthetic. With the exception of wisdom teeth, missing teeth should always be replaced to prevent issues like bone tissue loss and teeth misalignment developing. Wisdom teeth do not need to be replaced since they are the only set of teeth that are not needed for good oral health. Human evolution has made them relics of the past.

How tooth extraction can improve your oral health

Still trying to figure out how having a tooth removed can improve your dental health? Take a look at how that occurs:

1. Stops infections in their tracks

Tooth extraction is often recommended when a patient has a severe tooth infection that looks like it might spread to other areas. Root canals are the standard way to deal with tooth infections, but there is no guarantee that it stops the infection in its tracts. Removing an infected tooth before the infection reaches the end of its roots and spreads into the bloodstream stops any infection in it from spreading. It is the same idea behind amputating an infected limb to prevent the infection from spreading further.

2. Makes room for an oral prosthetic

Extracting a tooth makes room for an oral prosthetic that can be used to replace it. For example, implants are inserted directly into the socket of a missing tooth, and they close the gap created by the extracted tooth. This improves the way the patient’s teeth look.

3. Prevents damage to other teeth

Some teeth that need to be extracted are a threat to other teeth around them. For example, an impacted tooth can end up growing into other teeth around it or lead to overcrowding on the jaw. Extracting such a tooth prevents this from happening, which leads to fewer treatments and lower dental bills.

4. Makes oral hygiene easier

Poorly aligned and crowded teeth make it more challenging to clean the mouth. These conditions can lead to teeth overlapping, making it hard to clean all their surfaces with a toothbrush and dental floss. As a result, people with crowded or poorly aligned teeth are more likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease. Dentists often use extractions to treat these issues and move the patient’s teeth to a better alignment. Extracting one or more teeth makes more room on the jaw for the remaining teeth, then orthodontic appliances like clear aligners or braces can be used to move the patient’s teeth to a better position.

An extraction might be what you need

Dentists use teeth extractions only when necessary. While it is typically best to save real teeth, some dental issues are best treated by having one or more teeth extracted. Call or visit our St George clinic to learn more about how teeth extractions can improve your oral health. Request an appointment here: https://www.stgeorgedentalcare.com or call St. George Dental Care at (435) 628-9099 for an appointment in our St George office.

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