The thought of having to remove one of your precious teeth, even if they’re damaged or decayed beyond repair, can be scary and nerve-wracking. But guess what? It’s not as daunting as it seems, and you’re definitely not alone. It also doesn’t help that there are so many misconceptions about tooth extractions that you hear throughout your life, increasing the fear of the unknown. While nobody is going to tell you that tooth extractions are fun, they likely aren’t as bad as you’re led to believe. Get the scoop on this fabled dental treatment by learning four common myths that are told about it and why they’re simply not true.
“Tooth extractions are painful!”
The reason this myth is at the top of the list is because it’s the most common one, and it’s a major source of fear for many people. Dentists are often associated with discomfort, making it easy to draw a line between pain and any procedure that they offer—this is also why so many people are afraid of visiting the dentist! However, in many cases, dental treatments are able to reduce or prevent pain caused by severe damage and infection by providing services like tooth extractions. Plus, the process is fast and simple, and before they even begin, they’ll place a numbing agent around the area of your mouth that’s going to be treated to make sure you don’t feel a thing!
“Recovering from a tooth extraction takes a long time.”
Another common myth is that tooth extraction recoveries are long, uncomfortable, and will have you down and out for a week or more. The reality is that you’ll only feel some slight discomfort for the following two to three days after your procedure, and you can reach out to your dentist at any time if you’re ever concerned. While it will take around two weeks for the socket to completely heal after the extraction, you shouldn’t experience pain for that entire time. In fact, if you do, you should call your dentist.
“Extracting a compromised tooth is always the best choice.”
Tooth extractions are rarely the go-to treatment recommendation of dentists. In fact, a good dentist will consider all of the ways that they can save your tooth before simply removing it! However, there are certain situations in which a tooth is so severely compromised, whether it’s due to infection, gum disease, or damage, that an extraction is the only way to protect surrounding teeth and restore your oral health. So, while tooth extractions can be the best choice in certain situations, they aren’t always.
“It’s not necessary to replace an extracted tooth.”
While the choice to get a treatment is always yours, it’s important to weigh the risks of not replacing extracted teeth. When spaces in the smile aren’t filled, it’s possible for a variety of future dental concerns to arise, like misalignment due to shifting teeth and an increased risk of cavities and gum disease to name a few. Plus, when you fill the space in your arch with a lifelike replacement, like an implant crown, you can enjoy a whole, healthy, and beautiful smile again.
About the Practice
At Page Family Dental, our team consists of four highly experienced and compassionate dentists who are dedicated to building lifelong relationships with patients. With their skills combined, we’re able to offer comprehensive dentistry under one roof, including same-day emergency appointments and pain-relieving treatments like tooth extractions. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 781-284-5443.