People are naturally unfond of tooth extractions, but there are many common misconceptions about them. While the dental profession is dedicated to preventing the loss of teeth, it is sometimes necessary to remove a tooth to preserve the health of the others. A dentist will never recommend a tooth extraction without good reason, and dispelling a few popular falsehoods about the process can help patients feel more comfortable with the procedure. Here are a few common misconceptions about tooth extractions and the truths behind them.
Falsehood #1: Tooth Extractions Are Painful
The idea of having a tooth removed is enough to make anyone uneasy, and depictions of tooth extractions in cartoons don’t do much to improve the situation. Many people think that having a tooth extraction is incredibly painful, but this is not true. Modern tooth extraction procedures use anesthetics to render the whole process painless, and they only take a few minutes to complete.
Falsehood #2: It Takes Forever to Recover from a Tooth Extraction
Some people think that recovering from a tooth extraction means a month of wallowing in pain. This is completely false. It takes a week or two for a tooth’s socket to heal after extraction, and many patients report that they only dealt with pain and discomfort for a few days after the procedure. Your dentist will provide you with a prescription for pain management medication, and you can reduce discomfort by applying an ice pack to the cheek or elevating your head with pillows and cushions.
Falsehood #3: Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Pulled
While wisdom tooth extractions are quite common, not everybody needs to get them. In the past, many dentists would always recommend wisdom tooth removal, but dentists today make sure that the patient doesn’t have enough room to accommodate these teeth before recommending the procedure.
Falsehood #4: Infected or Damaged Teeth Always Require Extraction
Many people are under the impression that a damaged or infected tooth is always beyond saving, but this is not true. Dental treatments like fillings, crowns, and root canals eliminate infections, restore lost tooth structure, and allow compromised teeth to function normally again. Tooth extraction will only be recommended if these treatments are deemed unsuitable.
Having a tooth removed isn’t the end of the world. By knowing why teeth may need removal and what the process entails, you can enter the oral surgeon’s office more comfortably and know what to expect during the recovery period.
About the Author
Dr. Rabbi earned his dental doctorate at the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine and provides comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages. He strives to help the community of Edison, NJ preserve its dental health in a clean and welcoming environment. His office offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry as well as tooth extraction services. For more information on what a tooth extraction can do for you, contact his office online or dial (908) 409-0881.