Are you having a tooth removed soon? There are many myths surrounding extractions that you’ll want to know about.
Myths about tooth removals and extractions can make people anxious about the process. However, you’ll feel better about visiting your local dentist once you understand that these rumors aren’t true.
This article will break down all these tooth extraction myths for you.
Myth #1: Wisdom teeth require extraction
Many people mistakenly believe that only wisdom teeth require extraction. However, any tooth can require removal for different reasons.
Your dentist may remove a tooth due to decay or infection. Sometimes, a tooth can become impacted in your gums, causing pain. Removing the tooth alleviates the pain and fixes several other issues.
In short, any tooth in your mouth might require removal someday- not just your wisdom teeth.
Myth #2: Tooth extractions are painful
Next, many people believe that tooth extractions are extremely painful. You might be surprised to learn that extractions don’t cause pain during the procedure.
Your dentist will use a type of anesthetic to numb your gums and mouth. Some people feel a prick or pressure from the syringe, but there should be no pain.
After numbing your mouth, the dentist loosens the tooth before removing it. By loosening it, they greatly lessen the amount of pain you feel. You’ll feel pressure when they pull the tooth, but it shouldn’t hurt.
If your dentist needs to surgically remove a tooth, they use local anesthesia and possibly intravenous anesthesia. The process reduces your anxiety and makes it so you don’t feel any pain.
Myth #3: It will impact sensory functions
There’s also a myth that tooth extraction can impact your brain, sight, or hearing- this is not true.
Your teeth have separate blood supplies and nerves from the brain, so removing them won’t cause any side effects in those areas.
In other words, having your tooth removed does not cause brain, sight, or hearing damage.
Myth #4: Recovery takes a long time
People tend to say it takes a very long time to recover from a tooth extraction. However, recovery won’t take nearly as long as you think. It only takes one to two weeks for your tooth’s socket to heal in the gums.
Plus, you’ll only feel uncomfortable for a few days after the removal. You’ll need to make sure that you follow your dentist’s instructions so that you can recover as quickly as possible.
Myth #5: Your wisdom teeth always need to be removed
It’s common for people to also believe that everyone needs their wisdom teeth taken out.
This myth doesn’t hold up today, although it was more common for dentists to remove everyone’s wisdom teeth in the past.
Your wisdom teeth can erupt without any negative side effects.
You’ll want to make an appointment with your dentist to see whether you should have your wisdom teeth removed or not.
Not everyone needs them taken out!
Myth #6: You don’t need to replace the extracted tooth
Additionally, it’s a misconception that you don’t need to fill in the space left in your mouth after removing the tooth. However, your dentist must add a false tooth to the open gap.
If they don’t replace the extracted tooth for you, it will lead to many other issues.
Your teeth near the open space will start to move to fill it in. This shifting process causes crooked, misplaced teeth that impact how you look.
Plus, your teeth won’t support your jawbone either, leading to the deterioration of the bone. Overall, you want to have any missing teeth filled back in.
Myth #7: Removing the tooth is the best option
For the next myth, many think that extracting a damaged or infected tooth is the best option, no matter the situation. However, you won’t always need to resort to removing the tooth.
Instead, your dentist will always try to save the tooth first. They may try a root canal and add a crown to fix the issues.
Plus, removing the tooth and getting a dental implant to fill the new gap is almost always more expensive than a root canal.
Make sure you tell your dentist if something happens to your teeth. You won’t need to worry about them immediately resorting to extracting it.
Myth #8: It’s not a big deal
As for another myth, it’s not uncommon for people to think that extracting a tooth isn’t a big deal. You’ll need to tell your dentist immediately if you lose a tooth.
If they don’t give you a dental implant, your teeth will start to shift and become misaligned.
Even if your newly missing tooth is in the back where no one can see, it’s still a big deal! You’ll need to reach out and discuss your options with your dentist as soon as possible.
Myth #9: All tooth removals and extraction are the same
Next, you might think that all tooth extractions are identical because of a myth. However, there are at least two different types of tooth removal processes. These include simple and surgical extractions.
For a simple extraction, your dentist will numb your mouth and gently remove the tooth with forceps. Surgical extractions are more complicated because the dentist may need to make incisions in your gums to remove the tooth completely.
If you need to have multiple extractions, the process can be quite different every time.
Myth #10: It’s not surgery
Lastly, many people don’t consider tooth extraction surgery, although it is! Surgical tooth extractions are the most common surgery in the United States today.
So, if you need to have a dentist remove one of your teeth, you aren’t alone. Many people go through this process every single year.
