Poor dental health care can have a negative effect on your entire body and can lead to other serious medical concerns.  That is why dental health care is not just about having a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums.  Taking care of yourself and your teeth should be a priority to ensure a happy lifestyle.  This requires a lifetime commitment.  

People who do not take care of their teeth risk developing cavities and gum disease.  This can cause deeper damage to a tooth and may even affect the nerve.  If this happens, the pain can range from mild to unbearable, therefore should not be ignored.  Severe cavities and gum disease can even require an emergency tooth extraction.  

Emergency tooth extraction can be scary if you do not have all the facts.  It can also be a hard decision to make, especially given the progression in dental treatment.  According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the most common reason for emergency tooth extraction is trauma, crowding, or disease.  But there are a few other reasons someone may need to have a tooth extracted.

  • Severe tooth decay.
  • An abscess around your teeth or on your gums.
  • Vertical root fracture.
  • Broken or cracked tooth.
  • Impacted wisdom teeth.

If one of your teeth is increasing the risk of infection, that tooth may need to be extracted because it now poses a danger to the teeth around it.  Scheduling regular dental visits can help prevent future problems that may sometimes surface.  Even then, there are signs that could indicate you might need an emergency tooth extraction.  

  • Swelling of your mouth making it hard to open.
  • Discoloration in your teeth.
  • Severe tooth pain.
  • White fluid or pus in your mouth.
  • A bad taste in your mouth that does not seem to go away.
  • Pain in your gums.

Dentists classify extractions as either simple or surgical.  The position and location of a tooth will help to determine which type of extraction you will need.  Your overall health is also a consideration.  Once you have had your surgery, it is important to following your doctor’s aftercare instructions to help prevent complications and aid in the healing process.     

A simple extraction is done when a tooth is above the gums making it easy to be removed.  This method is relatively quick and requires numbing the surrounding area of the tooth.  There is little to no major recovery time which allows you to return to your normal routine quicker.  

Surgical extractions are more complicated and might involve cutting away gum tissue, drilling the tooth out of the jawbone or cutting the tooth into pieces.  This method usually is performed with a local anesthetic but sometimes requires general anesthesia making the process easier for both patient and doctor.  This type of extraction can take longer to heal from so may require more recovery time.  

While procedures vary depending on the location of the tooth and the severity of the damage, an emergency tooth extraction consists of the following.  

  • A local anesthetic is injected into the area around your teeth.
  • This will take a few minutes to work which your mouth will then become numb.
  • During the procedure you will feel slight pressure but shouldn’t be to uncomfortable.
  • Your dentist will widen the tooth socket.
  • Your dentist will rock the tooth back and forth until it loosens enough to be pulled out.

After the emergency tooth extraction, you may experience some swelling and your gums may bleed a little.  You might even feel a dull pain.  All this is normal.  However, if these symptoms last longer than 24 hours, it would be wise to call your dentist.  

Your mouth is the entrance to your whole body which is why good oral hygiene is more important than most people realize.  Since your mouth is filled with bacteria, mostly harmless, poor dental hygiene can lead to bleeding gums.  This could allow bacteria to easily enter the bloodstream where it can spread anywhere throughout your body.  Because your mouth is the opening to both your digestive and respiratory tract, some bacteria can possibly cause diseases such as the ones listed below.

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Endocarditis
  • Respiratory infections
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Cancer
  • Kidney disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Pneumonia

Letting dental problems wait another day can sometimes lead to a bigger dental emergency.  This can have a major impact on your health.  The sooner you address oral issues, the better your chances are to have healthier gums and teeth.  That is why dental and oral health care is essential for your overall well-being.  Adopting good dental habits can have long lasting benefits.  

  • Schedule regular dental visits.  
  • Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day.
  • Floss daily.
  • Use toothpaste or mouthwash products that contain fluoride. 
  • Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables.
  • Limit your sugar and acidic intake.
  • Avoid cigarettes or tobacco products. 
  • Take supplements that will improve your dental health.

If you are looking for an experienced dentist near you to cover all your family’s dental needs, look no further.  Guilliot Family Dentistry has locations in the Broussard and Lafayette areas.  One of their goals is to provide their patients with the best quality dental care they deserve.  They offer a variety of dental services to meet the needs of the whole family.  Your smile is our top priority so call us at 337-237-1843 in Lafayette and 337-252-7333 in Broussard.