Blog Post

Is It Better to Pull Your Tooth or Save It?

Gerald M • Aug 05, 2019
when to pull a tooth, saving a tooth

If you have an infected tooth that is causing you a great deal of pain, pulling it out may seem like a no-brainer. But wait! Pulling an infected tooth is not always the best choice. There are many benefits to maintaining your natural teeth if possible. In the end, it is your personal choice, but it is important to have all the facts before making such an important decision.

To Pull or To Save Your Tooth: The Benefits of Saving It

What are the benefits of saving your real teeth? Endodontists, dental specialists who focus on saving teeth, have some answers to this question.

· Natural Teeth Are Stronger. Your natural teeth will function much better than artificial ones and are much easier to keep clean. It is true that artificial teeth are better now than they have ever been before, but they still can’t match your natural teeth in terms of function.

· Avoid Shifting Teeth. When you have a tooth pulled, the gap it leaves behind makes it possible for your other teeth to shift. It may not happen right away but over time, this shift can cause issues with your bite alignment. This can be the beginning of a domino effect that leads to pain, nutrition issues, and an overall decrease in your quality of life.

· Maintain Your Appearance. Having a tooth pulled also pulls the roots that support your jaw. This causes a gap in the bone that makes many people look much older than they really are.

· Avoid Loss of Confidence. If your pulled tooth leaves a gap in your smile, it will most likely have a negative impact on your self-esteem. Dentists often see patients who refuse to smile because they are embarrassed by their teeth.

· Decreased Pain. Following a tooth extraction, most patients are in pain for days, especially if they suffer from dry socket. When the tooth is preserved with a root canal, the infection is eliminated, there is no risk of dry socket and the pain is relieved much more quickly.

· Fewer Dentist Visits. Once a tooth has been extracted, you may need to follow up with implants, a bridge, a crown or another dental device. This means more visits to the dentist, more expenses and, often, more pain.

· Fewer Expenses. Pulling the tooth may seem like the cheaper option but it often costs more time and money. There are also physical and emotional costs associated with choosing not to replace your tooth.

To Pull or Save Your Tooth: How to Save It

There are many reasons that you should try to preserve your natural teeth for as long as possible. However, infection and tooth decay can make this difficult and you may have to choose between preserving your tooth or pulling it. If you want to save the tooth, you will normally have a root canal, in which the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected to get rid of the infected interior. The tooth is then filled with a substance that strengthens and protects it, allowing it to function like all your other teeth. In addition to saving your tooth, you have a faster recovery and faster relief from the pain.

To Pull or Save Your Tooth: When to Pull It

Saving your tooth is always preferred but there are circumstances in which you have no choice but to extract it. If the tooth is cracked, especially below the gum line or in more than one place, there may be no way to save it. If it is too weak to be fixed, it may be best to pull it out.

If your dentist tells you that you need a tooth extracted, ask whether a root canal may be an option. Having this conversation can help you answer this important question before making any decisions.

If you are having problem with in your teeth and need to see a dentist in Granville OH, Sampson Dental Group is now accepting new patients. For more information about our services or to request an appointment, please click here.

Dentist in Westerville OH
05 Dec, 2023
Moving to a new city is hard enough, but if you are moving to an entirely different state altogether, the adjustment period might feel like it will never end. You might love everything about Massachusetts, but completely reconfiguring your life can be daunting, even for things seemingly as small as finding the right dentist. You know you want someone qualified, someone who will provide comprehensive dental services, and someone who will see you as more than just a number. You are likely thinking, “Is there someone close by who has everything I want from my dentist?” Hopefully, you will have an easier time after considering the following points. Experience and Qualifications It is always smart to check out how long a dental professional has been practicing, the number of professional associations they have affiliated themselves with, and, for extra clarification, the university or college your prospect chose for their dental school. In addition to the length of time your potential dentist has been operating, it is also wise to ask how much experience they have with each aspect of dentistry and how long they’ve performed in those various areas. Patient Reviews When choosing a new dentist, especially in an area you have just moved to, it is an absolute necessity that you check online reviews and ratings to get a better understanding of how patients like you feel about the practice and what they have experienced sitting in the chair. You can find out about the level of professionalism and kindness from the staff, how cleaned up the office is, and, perhaps most importantly, whether the office’s priority is simply getting bills paid or making sure their patients receive quality dental care. Offered Services This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but you should be sure the dental professional you choose offers the kind of services you want and need—whether it is just general check-ups and cleanings, children’s dentistry, or something more complicated like restorative dentistry or Invisalign. Since dental care will be a part of our lives until the very end, building strong relationships with patients is important to us at Sampson Dental Group. You may not need a dental implant today, but the future could very well call for one, and, at the very least, the option is available for older family members. We are proud to provide the full scope of dental services for all patients—from seniors to kids to everybody in between. Logistics  We know it can be frustrating to fight traffic anywhere, especially if the dentist you are driving to is out of the way. Fortunately, Sampson Dental Group has three convenient locations in Gahanna, Granville, Powell and Westerville, and you can always make an appointment at a time that’s most convenient for you. We can’t wait to meet you, so fill out or contact form and our office will be in touch with you ASAP.
Sampson Dental
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For many individuals, their next dental appointment may be their first. A far too common thought process is if you are brushing twice daily and flossing, there is simply no need to go to the dentist. That, obviously, is wrong. Regardless of how strict of an oral hygiene regimen you have on your own, bi-yearly dental visits are imperative to ensure good oral health. Now, since it may have been some time since you last visited a dentist or it is your first visit, here are some tips on how to prepare for a visit to the dentist’s office: Learn How to Brush Properly For as long as most of us can remember, we have been brushing our teeth. The question is, though, are you brushing your teeth the right way? Here are the basics in how to brush your teeth properly: · Use soft-bristled brush · After adding toothpaste to the brush, place the brush at the gumline at a 45-degree angle and brush gums before brushing your teeth · When done along the gumline, focus on brushing the front of the teeth before doing the rear · The brush should move vertically across the teeth rather than horizontally (this helps remove plaque from all angles) · Ensure you reach the rear of your mouth to brush the molars (which are often missed, creating the biggest problems for dental visits) Flossing Properly After you have brushed and rinsed, it is time to floss. This will ensure the small food particles left behind and wedged between teeth and under gumlines are removed. Start flossing at the rear bottom, slipping the floss between the teeth and gently moving it upwards. Once the lower level is done, repeat the process on the upper level. For even better results, invest in a water flosser, as they are far more effective than using standard floss. Using Mouthwash The use of a proper mouthwash is just as vital as the first two steps. Today, there are so many varieties and brands, it is virtually impossible not to find something both effective and palatable. You may want to discuss a specific brand with your dentist to ensure you are using a mouthwash most compatible with your needs/concerns. When rinsing, swish a small amount of mouthwash around vigorously for about a minute, then spit out. Looking for a new Westerville OH dentist? Sampson Dental Group is now accepting new patients and we would love for you to become part of our dental family. For more information about our services or to make an appointment, please click here .
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