Common Myths About Your Tooth Extraction

Remember a time when we were young and would get excited over losing our teeth?

We would take our loose tooth, wash it off and safely stuff it under our pillow right before we fell asleep, hoping to wake up in the morning to find money from the tooth fairy in its place.. 

As an adult, losing or breaking a tooth is not so glamorous. Instead of waiting for our tooth to fall out and being given money by a magical fairy, we may have to get a tooth extraction. Tooth extraction is a procedure in which a dentist removes the entirety of a tooth from its socket. We know that sounds scary and stressful but you should know that, like the tooth fairy, our team at Downriver Smiles has successfully extracted millions of teeth each year. Although you won’t be waking up to find money under your dental pillow, you will find that you can trust you will be taken care of at our Spokane, WA office. This procedure is only necessary after the tooth has been severely damaged or decayed and can’t be fixed through other dental procedures. A tooth extraction could also be necessary if the tooth is at risk of infection, abnormally developed, and in the case of it being abnormally developed or injured. 

To help calm your nerves, we have compiled a list of common myths and provided you with the truth to help you prepare for your upcoming tooth extraction in Spokane. Ready? Let’s go!

Myth #1: Tooth extractions are painful!

One of the biggest misconceptions about tooth extractions is that it’s painful. Believe it, and you’ll probably skip out on your extraction altogether. However, the truth is that tooth extraction is quick and nearly painless. Our dentists at Downriver Smiles use a minimally invasive dental technique paired with an advanced anesthetic to ensure that you’re comfortable and relaxed during your procedure.

Myth #2: Tooth removal is inevitable

As we mentioned above, our dentists exhaust all other options to treat and attempt to preserve the affected tooth first before considering tooth extraction. It becomes the last resort after all other treatment options are crossed off the list and the affected tooth begins to put your oral health at risk.

Myth #3: It takes months to recover from a tooth extraction.

False. More like it only takes a day or two! A few patients will experience some swelling and bleeding after the tooth extraction procedure, but most patients can return to school or work the next day.

Myth #4: You’re not required to get a tooth replacement after your tooth extraction.

After your tooth is extracted, it leaves behind a gap in your smile which encourages the neighboring teeth to shift towards it. This movement causes your teeth to become crooked and gapped. You’re also more prone to stomach issues because you can’t chew food correctly. All of these issues can be avoided by getting a tooth replacement. Downriver Smiles offers a variety of tooth replacement options such as dental implants or dentures.

Hearing your dentist tell you that you may need to consider a tooth extraction may trigger some panic at first but it isn’t something you need to worry about. If you’re wondering whether you might need a tooth extraction in Spokane, WA, or have any tooth-related questions, schedule an appointment with us today. With our relaxing amenities, sedation dentistry, and caring staff, we can provide a comfortable and rewarding experience for every patient.