Category: Tooth Extraction

3 Things To Consider When Deciding If You Should Extract A Tooth

Like most people, you’ve probably been to the dentist only when you have a problem. You may also have gone once or twice during childhood and only again once your teeth start falling out or another unfortunate event occurs. While an emergency dental visit is sometimes necessary, there are many times when the best thing for your teeth is preventative care. Dentists almost always recommend getting an oral exam at least once every year—and in some cases, more often than that! So if you aren’t sure whether it’s time to go back to the dentist (again), here are three questions to ask yourself before deciding whether or not extractions are suitable for you:

1. Do you have a bad tooth?

You may wonder how to know if your tooth is damaged or decayed. Many types of damage can affect your teeth, but it’s essential to know that not all forms of injury are created equal. The first thing to consider is whether or not the damage was caused by decay, cracks, fractures, or chips in the tooth’s enamel surface. However, if there’s anything else going with your mouth besides general wear-and-tear from chewing food over time, it is best to only take out teeth after exploring other options first!

2. Are your teeth in good shape?

You may not need to extract a tooth if you have good teeth. If your teeth are in good shape and only one or two need to be removed, then it would be better for you to get a crown placed on those teeth instead of having them extracted.

However, if another dental problem makes saving the tooth (for example, decay) impossible, we recommend extraction instead.

3. Does your gum line need to be cleaned up?

If you have gum disease, knowing it can lead to tooth loss is essential. Bacteria in the mouth cause gum disease, and if left untreated for an extended period, they can destroy your gums and cause them to recede away from the teeth. It can make it difficult for a dentist or surgeon to do their job when they need to perform surgery on your teeth or extract them entirely.

If you have gum disease, speak with an oral health professional about how best to proceed (i.e., whether or not extraction is necessary).

Importance of regular dental visits

When you go to the dentist, you’re there for a reason. But it’s important to remember that regular visits are just as crucial as emergency visits.

You can get problems early and easier to fix if you go regularly, and your mouth is a complex system that requires regular maintenance. Your dentist will be able to help maintain good oral health by providing advice on how often you should brush and floss, how often they recommend visiting them (and how long each appointment should last), what foods are best for your teeth, what dental products they recommend using–the list goes on!

The Bottom Line

When deciding whether or not you should extract a tooth, there are many factors to consider. The answer is clear if your tooth is causing you significant pain and discomfort: see a dentist! However, if the pain isn’t so bad that it affects your daily life, you should hold off on extracting until after you’ve considered some other factors. In this article, we’ll cover three questions any patient should ask themselves before deciding whether or not to extract their tooth: how much pain they’re in, how long they’ve been in distress; and whether they can wait until they can see a dentist.

1. Can I pull the tooth without any other work?

No. Consider what will happen afterward when you extract a tooth. For example, if you’re losing your teeth, consider getting dental implants or dentures to regain some of your smile and self-confidence.

2. Can I have it capped?

Capping a tooth means covering it with an artificial part to protect it from further decay or damage. It is a good option if the tooth is still healthy and has little decay, but otherwise, it may be best to remove it entirely and focus on treating other parts of your mouth that need attention. In addition, sometimes caps can get loose over time, which means they’ll need to be replaced anyway—so if that happens, you might as well go ahead and have the whole tooth removed in the first place!

5 Tips for Reducing Pain and Discomfort After Tooth Extraction

Painless tooth extractions may sound like a dream, but unfortunately, that is not true for many patients. Pain and discomfort after tooth extractions are common and can last several days. While some pain and swelling are expected, reducing the discomfort you experience is possible by following these five tips.

Tip 1. Cold Compress

Applying a cold compress to the affected area helps reduce inflammation, reducing pain and discomfort. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables directly on your cheek near where the extraction was performed. Do this every 15 minutes during waking hours until the swelling subsides.

Tip 2. Pain Medication

Pain medication prescribed by your dentist should be taken as directed. Pain medication helps reduce inflammation and manage pain. Don’t be afraid to take the full dose if needed; following your dentist’s advice is always important.

Tip 3. Rest

Immediately following a tooth extraction, rest is critical for reducing pain and discomfort. Take some time off from work or school and stay home until the swelling has gone down and you feel comfortable enough to resume your normal activities.

Tip 4. Diet

Avoid eating hard foods that may irritate the affected area, like chips, nuts, popcorn, etc. Stick with soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soups, smoothies, eggs, etc., which are easier on your teeth. Also, make sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Tip 5. Cleanliness

Keeping the extraction site clean prevents infection and reduces pain and discomfort. After every meal, make sure to rinse your mouth with a saline solution, usually prescribed by your dentist. Additionally, you can use a special toothbrush provided by your dentist to brush the area around the extraction site gently.

The Bottom Line

Pain and discomfort after tooth extractions are common, but you can take steps to reduce these feelings, such as using a cold compress, taking medication as prescribed by your dentist, resting, sticking to soft foods, and maintaining proper hygiene around the extraction site. Following these tips will help make the recovery process easier so that you can get back to doing what you love as soon as possible.

Q1: How long will the pain last after a tooth extraction?

Pain and discomfort can last anywhere from several days to a few weeks, depending on how quickly you recover and if any complications develop. It is important to follow your dentist’s instructions and take the necessary precautions to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Q2: Will I need stitches after a tooth extraction?

Not necessarily; it depends on the type of extraction being performed and the amount of bleeding that occurs during the procedure. Your dentist may apply dissolvable sutures (stitches) during or immediately following the procedure for added protection, but this is not always necessary.

Q3: What should I do if I experience prolonged pain or discomfort?

Pain and swelling that persists beyond a few days should be discussed with your dentist. They may recommend additional treatments to help reduce the discomfort, such as antibiotics or anesthetics, depending on what is causing the issue.

Tooth Extraction Bleeding: Know How To Stop It!

Tooth extraction is major dental surgery. You will experience pain and swelling after your surgery, which is normal. You may also experience minor bleeding, which is nothing to worry about. 

Sometimes, the bleeding may not stop or bleed heavily. This is problematic as losing too much blood is not suitable for your health.

Tips To Stop Bleeding After Tooth Extraction

There are several ideas to stop bleeding after tooth extraction online. The most effective tips to stop bleeding after a tooth extraction procedure are:

Using Wet Gauze

Wet a small piece of gauze with water. Fold it in a square and put it on the operated site. Bite down gently to apply pressure. Let the gauze stay there for 30 minutes to an hour. Ensure that the gauze sits well in its place for the duration. Change the gauze after every 20 minutes. This is one of the most effective methods to stop bleeding after tooth extraction. 

Rest Enough

Tooth extraction requires local anesthesia. You will feel groggy and disoriented for some time after the surgery. Have someone pick you up from the dentist and drive you to your home. Avoid picking up heavy objects and strenuous exercises. Rest for a week to help your body recover from the strain of the tooth extraction surgery. Bleeding from the operation may increase if you try to work hard.

Using Black Tea Bag

Black tea contains tannins. Tannin acts as a coagulant, which clots blood. Placing a tea bag on the tooth extraction area will stop the bleeding and speed up the healing process. The tea bag must be wet as a dry one is useless to stop bleeding. Like gauze, bite down on the bag for 30 minutes to control the bleeding.

Raised Head

Keep your higher if you lie down after your tooth extraction surgery. You can do this easily by placing a pillow below your head. You can even try to sleep this way. Bending down may increase your heart rate, which causes bleeding. Rest this way for at least two days to ensure less damage to the wound. 

No Smoking & Drinking

Everybody knows that smoking and drinking is harmful to dental health. Smoking could increase bleeding and slow down the healing process. Drinking alcohol can irritate the wound site. Avoid smoking and drinking for two weeks after having your tooth pulled out.

The Bottom Line

Experiencing minor bleeding after surgery is normal. However, you should not lose too much blood. There could be surgery problems or complications if the bleeding does not stop. If the wound does not heal, it could lead to infection. Contact your dentist immediately if the bleeding does not stop after 48 hours of your tooth extraction procedure.

Tooth extraction: what should you know?

Your permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Almost every dental therapy relies upon the idea of maintaining good oral health and avoiding tooth loss. However, in some cases, tooth extraction may be the only option to avoid additional crises. Dentists and oral surgeons do tooth extractions for a variety of reasons. A painful wisdom tooth or a severely decaying tooth could be the source of the problem. In some cases, a dentist may pull a tooth to make way for dental prostheses or braces. If you are searching for the best tooth extraction service in Richmond, TX, visit Grand Mission Dentistry.

When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Before we begin, here’s a brief overview of what to expect during a tooth extraction. The complete removal of one or more teeth from the mouth is referred to as tooth extraction. A filling, crown, or other dental treatment can be used to restore teeth that have been cracked or destroyed by decay in many cases. If the damage is too severe to heal, your dentist may recommend extraction. Here are some additional reasons why tooth extraction may be necessary:

  • Because of trauma or damage, decay or infection has spread deep into the tooth.
  • There isn’t enough space in your mouth to accommodate all of your teeth.
  • Baby teeth do not fall out in time for the eruption of permanent teeth.
  • Orthodontic therapy may include tooth extraction to make place for the teeth as they move into position.
  • Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are routinely extracted either before or after their eruption.

The Benefits of Tooth Extraction

Although dental extraction is common, just a few people understand why it is necessary. You will be giving up a tooth in exchange for numerous benefits. Here are some of the various reasons why your teeth should be extracted by a dentist.

Help you in getting rid of your pain

Patients frequently present to the dental office with a complaint of dental pain. The causes are usually obvious, such as stock items or dental rot. These minor difficulties are readily resolved. However, there are many underlying causes for such apprehension. Most likely, you have developed an infection that has already penetrated the tooth roots. The longer it goes untreated, the more pain it causes the patient. If the severity of the dental problem is relatively severe, removing the tooth is the only method to alleviate the pain.

Getting rid of the problem itself

An infection in the tooth can spread quickly, making treatment more difficult. When this occurs, the condition grows more complicated and necessitates additional dental surgeries. Not only that but postponing therapy will increase the patient’s agony. The damage to the tooth is already severe and irreversible at this point. Needless to say, the only solution is to extract the tooth.

Protecting the rest of your teeth

One major risk that dentists want to minimize is allowing a cavity or infection to spread to neighboring teeth. Unfortunately, some patients only detect this when it is too late. The illness has already infiltrated the other teeth. This will necessitate more dental treatments as well as more complex procedures. If the therapy is delayed, the patient may lose more than one or two teeth. That is why tooth extraction is required to prevent infection from spreading to neighboring teeth and possibly the surrounding tissues and bones.

We hope this blog has enlightened you with all of the knowledge you need about the advantages of tooth extraction. If you’re looking for the best tooth extraction procedure in Richmond, TX, visit Grand Mission Dentistry today and take advantage of our dental care services!

Planning Your Child’s First Trip To The Dentist? Here’s Everything You Need To Know!

If you’ve kids, their dental health should be your top priority. This is a fact that parents are typically not aware about when to take their kid to a dentist. Studies reveal that you should not delay unless all of his teeth have emerged, or until there is any serious problem. The American Association of Pediatric Dentists suggests that a child’s first dental visit should be done when you find their first tooth appears. And it’s basically within 6-12 months at the latest. 

Dental tension and nervousness typically begin during childhood. And this is likely to become worse if not given proper guidance and care. Hence, a child’s first dental visit is crucial. The trip will set the tone of proper oral regimen your toddler will retain for a lifetime.

Prepare yourself

Ask all your queries to the Pediatric Dentist. If you have dental nervousness, then don’t panic and remain calm! Also do not show those fears or dislikes to your kid. 

Prepare the Dentist

Hand-over your toddler’s entire health history to the dentist as it is your kid’s first visit. At Grand Mission Dentistry, we are skilled to treat your toddler and always focus on patience. We won’t make your kid rush or pressurize them anyway. We also use child-friendly language!

What you can expect at the First Visit?

The visit is everything about introducing your toddler to the office ambience and staff! It will help your child to explore the instruments and even take a first ride in the chair. When he/she becomes comfortable, it will build trust! Then, the dentist can take a quick look at his/her mouth. 

The session may include an entire examination of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues. But this depends on your child’s age. If required, the Pediatric Dentist may also recommend a gentle cleaning. It includes getting rid of plaque, tartar, and other stains and polishing teeth. The dentist may guide you and your child, how to maintain healthy oral regimen, diet and fluoride needs. The dentist might also inform on baby bottle tooth decay, infant feeding practices, finger-licking habits, dental issues and so on. The first session generally takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Protect your Kid’s Teeth at Home

  • Before teeth emerge, clean your toddler’s gums with a clean, damp cloth.
  • Start to brush with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a very little amount of toothpaste only when the first tooth appears. After 3 years of age, apply a very tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste. 
  • Never offer your child milk, juice, or any kind of sweet items at bedtime or just before nap.
  • Reduce food items that cause tooth decay. 

 

If you’re searching for ‘Pediatric Dentist near me’, in Richmond, TX, then surely call us at Grand Mission Dentistry to avail top dental treatment for your kid! Our Pediatric Dentist in Richmond, Dr. Tam Nguyen will make your toddler’s first visit a memorable and exciting one. Let your kid undergo this exciting first step!

Missing a Tooth

Has it been hard for you to smile due to a missing tooth? According to the Kelton study for Invisalign, teeth are the most standout feature people notice when meeting the first time. About 66% will likely remember you due to having beautiful teeth and smile. If you have a missing tooth, especially in the front, it’s hard to smile. You not only lose confidence in yourselves, but missing teeth causes long-term damages to your facial structure and the way you bite. However, there are a few options for you to regain back a healthy beautiful smile. 

First let’s start with doing nothing. When a tooth is pulled malocclusion can happen if we don’t get a replacement for the missing tooth. Malocclusion is a condition where our teeth shift, and it changes the way we bite. Teeth are supposed to touch one another so when a tooth is extracted, both the adjacent tooth and the tooth opposing the missing tooth will shift. This means that you will see a change in your smile such as gaps, uneven alignment, and a tooth longer than the others. Another consequence is, loss of jawbone and gum tissue, which results in an older appearance because of a sunken look to your facial features.

However, we can prevent all the consequences of not replacing a missing tooth or teeth. There are few options with the pros and cons for each of them.

Dental Implants: 

Dental implants are the most effective way to replace a missing tooth. Not only is it durable, but its lifespan is longer compared to the others. This is also the nearest thing to a natural tooth available today. Implants are made from titanium that is safe for your body. It is surgically placed in the jawbone where you are having a missing tooth. However, the process is a bit longer than the others. Dental implant consists of the implant itself, abutment, and a crown. This does not a one-day procedure, but at least 3 months. Everyone is different, and it all just depends on if you need bone graft material, how fast your implant settles in, or if you have periodontal disease. This may seem like a long journey for some, but the reward for waiting is much more beneficial for long term durability, and lifespan of about 15 to 20 years.

Dental Bridges:

 Dental bridges are good for people who want a faster solution that does not require surgery. This procedure takes 3 weeks and just two visits to your dentist. It is more affordable than the implant. However, with dental bridges, the dentist would have to shave down the adjacent teeth, which are your two good permanent teeth to use as an anchor. The lifespan of the dental bridge is about 5-7 years, which is shorter than the implant. This does not help with keeping the bone in the area from atrophy occurring though. You will continue to lose bone in that area over time compared to the implant that will secure the bone indefinitely. Hygiene will be harder to keep up with because you can’t floss normal. You’ll have to buy a special floss that will get under your bridge since food can get caught there. Unfortunately, for the perfectionist, dental bridges are not as aesthetically pleasing than an implant. 

Removable Partial Denture (RPD):

 Removable partial denture known as a flipper, is the least expensive and the fastest thing you can have after an extraction to walk out the office without a missing tooth. However, it is primarily for esthetic purposes. You can’t chew with it on because it is a resin base that can break easily. You would have to take it off every night still leaving you with a gap that will create shifting of your teeth and bone loss. In order to hold the artificial tooth or teeth in place, a bulky plastic frame will be sitting in your mouth all day. Flipper is best used for just a temporary solution until you get a permanent replacement.

With all the options given to you, it is still ideal to speak to your dentist to help you choose what is best for you. Not everyone is a good candidate for implants, that’s why we offer free consultation here at Grand Mission Dentistry to make sure you are a good fit for an implant. Give us a call or make an appointment today so we can make sure you are on the right track in replacing a missing tooth.

References:

https://www.nobelbiocare.com/content/patient/international/en/home/541561/why-is-it-important-to-replace-a-missing-tooth-.html

https://fourseasonsdentistry.com/2018/07/20/should-you-replace-your-tooth-after-an-extraction/

https://www.gotoapro.org/dental-implants-faq/

http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/ADA_PatientSmart_Tooth_Replacement.ashx

http://www.ironwooddental.com/long-dental-implant-placement-take/

https://www.carefreedental.com/resources/26-implants-and-bridges/96-dental-implants-vs-bridges-how-to-know-what-s-best-for-you

https://www.nhcenterforcomprehensivedentistry.com/removable-partial-dentures-pros-and-cons-to-consider/

What To Do When Your Extracted Tooth Bleeds?

Usually, mouth bleeding stops after a span of 24 hours from the time of your tooth extraction. Until then small amount of blood oozing out from the site of your surgery should not be intimidating! One of the nurses of your dental office generally provides you with a gauze, which you need to hold against your affected tooth.

Often, dental packs are also provided to you. When you notice blood, you need to hold the dental pack on the socket of the bleeding site and press it (not too hard) over there for about 20 mins. Once the bleeding stops, an amount of blood clot accumulates in the socket at the bleeding site. You should not attempt to dislodge this clot as that would resume the bleeding!

Table Of Contents:

  1. Things To Do If Bleeding Persists
  2. Diet After Extraction
    1. Foods To Have Post Extraction
  3. Tooth Extraction Queries
    1. Where To Get My Wisdom Tooth Removal Done?
    2. Does Medicaid pay for my dental work?
    3. What Are The Pros of a Private Insurance Plan As Far As Dental Treatments Are Concerned?
  4. Are There Emergency Dental Clinics in Richmond That Are Open in Holidays?

A quick glance at the things to do and things not to do if bleeding persists after your tooth extraction:

  • In case you are holding a gauze, take 2 to 3 at a time. It becomes more effective
  • Do not forget to change the gauze every 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Avoid spitting.
  • Avoid smoking, chewing tobacco or even drinking through a straw, for at least 7 days after your surgery.
  • Avoid too much of physical activity – it increases your blood pressure and may incite further bleeding!
  • Sit or take rest in a semi-upright position – preferably in a recliner or with at least 2 pillows in your bed.
  • Do not panic. Bleeding up to 24 hrs (or even 48 hrs) is normal.

Your diet after the extraction:

Post extraction there is a strict diet to be followed and this mainly comprises of soft and supple, no-chewing foods that can be easily gulped down. This is advised for at least the next 24 to 48 hrs after the extraction. However, after the numbness is gone a little bit of chewing activity would minimize the stiffness in the jaws and teeth and curtail the pain too.

Foods to have post your tooth extraction therefore includes:

  • A lot of fluids, especially on the day of your surgery
  • Extremely hot foods should be strictly avoided
  • Avoid using straw for the first few days at least
  • Take pureed foods preferably, like : soups, puddings, yogurt, milk shakes etc.
  • Avoid foods like nuts, popcorn, fruits with seeds or anything that might get tapped in that socket.

A tooth extraction patient often goes irregular with his or her daily routine, in order to cope up with the pain, numbness and uneasiness. But one should strictly keep these things in mind:

  • Do not sip meal as nourishment is very essential during the recovery days!
  • In case of being a diabetic patient, one needs to maintain his or her normal diet. In this event, consulting the dentist is crucial.

A few tooth extraction queries resolved:

Where to get my wisdom tooth removal done?

Your molars are aching? Stressed with overcrowded teeth? Now, if you are new to a place, then you have more work to do! You need to choose your dental office and that depends upon a few factors. You need to ask yourself these:

  • Is it near to my workplace?
  • Does it offer Saturday appointments?
  • Do they offer suitable timings so that I can move to work after seeing the dentist?
  • Can I get same day crowns done from there?

The experts and Grand Mission Dentistry are committed to carry out the extraction cases as comfortably as possible and with minimal discomfort to the patient. They also provide instructions to make sure you heal quickly and prevent any further complications!

Does Medicaid pay for my dental work?

Less than 10% of Americans who avail health care with the help of Medicare, are among the Medicaid participants. Medicare, being the traditional insurance provider does not cover routine services such as screenings, dental exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions etc. Medicaid has a separate purpose altogether. It is the main channel for providing health care coverage to low income groups including children, the elderly, pregnant women as well as people with disabilities.

Medicaid is required to abide by the federal rules. Therefore, the dental coverage by Medicaid varies from state to state – some may cover only emergency services, whereas 4 of the states do not provide any dental coverage at all. In some cases, adults are offered a limited number of covered services as compared to children or offer no coverage at all. However, the state Medicaid programs are required by the federal rules to cover comprehensive dental services for children. Coverage for adult dental services is optional.

What are the Pros of a private insurance plan as far as my dental treatments are concerned?

While programs like Medicare, Medicaid etc. are social health coverage programs to provide assistance to the entire population by pooling resources and spreading the financial burden in the hour of need. The overall risk of health expenses is hence shared by the entire mass, with the help of these social schemes.

Private health insurance on the other hand refers to the insurance plans that are bought outside the insurance marketplace. The distinctive feature of these plans is that they require you to incur huge monthly expenses, as they come with a set of added advantages, some of which have been listed here:

  1. Choosing a doctor of your preference – Private insurances usually allow you to choose a doctor within or outside your network. They function as follows:
  • HMO (Health Maintenance Organizations) allows you to select a doctor from within the network
  • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) may allow you to choose a doctor from outside the network, but with an additional charge.
  • Finally, an Indemnity Health Insurance allows one to choose any doctor or hospital from within or outside the network, without any additional charges!
  1. Shorter waiting times– Since these are nit public health care facilities, they remain less busy. Therefore, treatments are done with quickly and within a shorter span of time.
  2. No restricted visiting hours– This is of great help when you need to handle multiple responsibilities at the same time. You can visit the patient according to your own convenience.
  3. Availability of private rooms– This ensures greater comfort fro the patient. TVs, phones, better food help the patient relax in an enhanced environment!

The discussion so far, was all about the virtues of a private plan. But as there is always an other side of the coin, private insurances have their share of drawbacks too. And drawbacks are not all about the expenses only! Private insurances do not cover all health conditions.

Consequently, therefore, you will have to choose an insurance policy that will both suit your health care needs and fit in your budget too. However, unfortunately, most of the time it is next to impossible to find the perfect scheme for yourself and people often end up making the wrong choice! It either makes them bear huge out-of-the pocket costs or switch treatment alternatives!

Are there emergency dental clinics in Richmond that are open in holidays?

An overall survey reveals that Houston is yet to get any 24-hour dental clinic. However, there are many dental offices that remain open on Saturdays and/or Sundays. You might come across offices that are open in the after-hours too. And what more, they do not charge you extra for the excess amount of working hours that they putting in!

Grand Mission Dentistry could be your chosen destination due to its flexible timings, if you find dental care services surrounding the areas of Richmond, Texas. The office remains open for different time schedules on different days of the week. This actually works to the benefit of individuals across various types of profession. You can choose your preferred timing. Whether it’s an early morning appointment on Friday or an after-office dental visit at the start of the week that you want, you can get it. Additionally, it remains open every alternate Saturdays too!