Although dentists make the procedure mostly pain free, losing a tooth causes anxiety among the stoutest of patients. Never fear, the procedure for a tooth extraction has gone high tech.

The Standard Tooth Extraction Procedure

After prepping you for the tooth extraction, your dentist injects a local anesthetic at the section of the gum securing the tooth. The local anesthetic alleviates enough of the pain, without making you groggy for an extended period after the extraction. Patients that require multiple tooth extractions may need a stronger general anesthetic to mitigate the pain. General anesthetics cause you to fall asleep during the tooth extraction. Dentists remove impacted teeth by peeling back the bone and gum tissue that surround the tooth. Using a forceps, your dentist then gently moves the impacted tooth back and forth until it loosens enough for extraction.
Why Do Dentists Perform Teeth Extractions?

Ideally, your teeth should last a lifetime. Unfortunately, most dental patients do not take proper care of their teeth. Genetics also plays a role in determining the likelihood of someone needing a tooth removed. The American Dental Association (ADA) lists several other reasons for a tooth extraction.

Damaged Teeth

Teeth that incur severe damage caused by decay or trauma require removal. Leaving a damaged or decayed tooth inside of your mouth can cause immense pain, as well as encourage bacteria growth that leads to oral diseases.

Small Mouth, Too Many Teeth

Some people require teeth extractions because they have too many teeth for the size of their mouths. Dentists also pull teeth from crowded mouths to align the teeth for orthodontic procedures. Dental patients may also require teeth extractions to make room for a new tooth that cannot pop through the gum.

Pulp Infections

Tooth damage or decay that extends to the pulp prompts dentists to perform tooth extractions. The pulp is where sensitive nerves run and vessels carry blood to the gums. Exposed tooth pulp invites bacteria that cause painful tooth infections. Root canal therapy takes care of the easy cases, but dentists must remove infected teeth that have severe pulp damage. Compromised immune systems enhance the severity of tooth infections. People that undergo immune system procedures such as chemotherapy should have mildly infected teeth pulled.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease weakens the bone and tissue that help secure teeth into the gums. Once a tooth loosens from the grasp of a gum, dentists typically recommend that patients have the tooth removed to prevent bacteria from entering the gum cavity. Regular checkups help dentists monitor the onset of periodontal disease.

Advanced technology and the development of improve dental skills have combined to make a tooth extraction easy to take for patients that fear sitting in the dental office chair. Look at a tooth extraction as preventive medicine, a procedure that enhances your health by preventing bacteria from morphing into a painful infection.

A tooth extraction is an important dental procedure and if you are unsure about the benefits or the need for a tooth extraction, be sure to contact us at Saifee Family Dentistry in Spring, Texas today. We can evaluate your pain and discomfort and determine whether a tooth extraction is the best choice for you. If an extraction is required, we can make the procedure as comfortable as possible.

When you walk into a room, your smile is supposed to light the room up, as a floodlight covers an entire back yard. Your smile represents the best feature that you have in your personality arsenal. Yet, far too many people neglect maintaining what makes their smiles glow. They need to learn how to make a strong first impression with teeth whitening.

What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening represents one of the most popular dental procedures that enhances your appearance. Dentists use the procedure to remove stains and discolored spots. The procedure significantly improves how your teeth look, which helps you make a strong first impression on first dates, as well as during job interviews.

Dentists remove enamel to allow light to reflect off teeth. The process typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes during one to three appointments, depending on much enamel your dentist must remove. Considered a restorative procedure, teeth whitening rarely causes enduring pain. The most common causes of discolored teeth are smoking and regularly drinking dark beverages, such as soda and coffee.

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

A pearly white smile improves your personal appearance. You make a strong first impression in a wide variety of social and professional encounters. When you walk into a room to greet a job interviewer, you want your smile to light up the room. Teeth whitening helps you convey a strong first impression at social gatherings. A full set of white teeth promotes a warm countenance that immediately puts people at ease. On the other hand, discolored teeth convey a lack of self-respect. Teeth whitening enhances your confidence attending daily department meetings and making a class reunion toast.

Teeth Whitening Tips

In addition to avoiding drinking dark beverages such as soda and coffee, you can follow several tips to help maintain shiny white teeth. Foods that include soy sauce, blackberries, and rich tomato-based sauces can also cause discolored teeth. Energy drinks, even those with clear appearances, leave thin layers of teeth discoloration. Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months to prevent the bristles from adding discolored substances to your teeth. Brushing your tongue cleanses bacteria that transfers to teeth. Rinsing with one part apple cider vinegar and two parts water is a natural way to extract discolored enamel from your teeth. The consumption of raw fruits and vegetable removes tooth stains and harmful plaque that cause cavities.

Some people are born with perpetually white teeth. They live lifestyles that eschew coffee, tobacco, and other teeth-staining substances. However, most people experience discoloration because of aging. Whatever the reasons for discolored teeth, you make a strong first impression with teeth whitening.

If you are looking for quality teeth whitening solutions, be sure to contact Saifee Family Dentistry in Spring, Texas today. Our friendly professionals are ready to provide you with a consultation that can inform you on all of your options and the benefits of a proper teeth-whitening procedure.