For some of us, it may seem odd to have teeth removed for orthodontic treatments. People are under the impression that tooth extraction can negatively affect your denture’s functioning. You should know this is not necessarily true.

Dentists and orthodontists have many reasons to suggest tooth extractions, and deciding whether to do it will always be your decision. If you trust your orthodontist, this process should not be a problem.

A dentist may suggest removing your teeth when you have a crowded bite or crooked teeth, which are serious problems, believe it or not. Tooth decay is another common cause for extractions in cases where the damage has pierced the tooth or molars.

You should pay attention to your dental care routine to avoid tooth decay since it can turn into a delicate matter when cavities appear. Cavities usually mean losing teeth and the need to wear implants even at an early age.

Since cavities are a consequence of the tooth decay process, you must check your dental care routine and make a strict habit of following your dentist’s tips. Kids can be the principal affected by this issue because parents tend to think that since their children will be losing all of their teeth by the age of 6 or 7, it doesn’t matter if they ruin their baby teeth. But the truth is that cavities can damage your kid’s oral health and lead to infections.

Of course, it becomes irreversible when an adult with permanent teeth needs to get extractions due to cavities or perhaps to get orthodontic treatment like braces. In most cases, the dental expert’s suggestion will not suppose any damage to your lifestyle or denture.

Let’s break down when extractions are needed:

Why Would I Need to Have a Tooth Extracted?

There is plenty of reasons why your dentist may suggest getting rid of one or even some of your teeth. Here are some common and not-so-common explanations:

• Baby teeth on adults: sometimes teens or young adults (21) still have primary teeth in their mouths. Usually, this means minimum extractions (1 or 2 teeth).
• Tooth decay or cavities: when a tooth presents cavities, the deterioration process has gone too far, and the best alternative is to pull out the tooth and replace it with an implant.
• Wisdom teeth: this last set of molars is like a roulette game because not everybody has them, and not everyone needs them removed. There are cases where a person only gets one or two of them. The thing is, if you don’t have the space for them, they can change the whole distribution of your bite.
• Crowded teeth: this is orthodontics’ kingdom. Having your teeth too close or overlapping can be a serious problem, and this is why your orthodontist may want to create more space in your palate by extracting some teeth.

So, this last point takes us to the option of removing teeth before getting traditional metal braces.

Why Would I Need to Have a Tooth Extracted?

Tooth extractions are not a rule in orthodontics; it is not like it’s mandatory to have some teeth removed by an orthodontist. It is common, though. Whether your dental expert recommends extractions or not will depend on your particular case.

Traditional brackets are one of the primary reasons to have teeth removed because it is an orthodontic treatment often used to correct misalignment. When someone has a crowded bite, it’s usually because they do not have enough space for all of their teeth.

One of the best options to solve the problem is to create the space. You should not have gaps between your teeth after this since the braces will correct your denture.

Wisdom Teeth Removal for Braces

Unlike other teeth, wisdom teeth are the usual candidates for extractions. Since these two pairs of molars are not necessary for the correct functioning of your denture, extractions mean no trouble for you.

If you are planning or considering beginning orthodontic treatment and your X-Rays show wisdom teeth, your dental specialist will most likely suggest taking them out.

This is done as prevention because sometimes orthodontists don’t know for sure if the wisdom teeth will erupt, but once you have had braces or clear aligners, getting two pairs of new molars can throw all the previous work into the garbage.

If your wisdom teeth are yet to come out, it’s probably best to have them extracted before you start any other orthodontic procedure.

What to Eat After Tooth Extraction

Being submitted to teeth extraction can be uncomfortable and even painful. However, it is nothing to worry about since the pain will disappear in a few days, and you can eat lots of ice cream.

Yes, ice cream is one of those few things you can eat during the first one or two days after having a tooth removed. The cold will ease the pain you might be feeling and will help with inflammation in the affected area.

What else is good for you during this short period?

• Soups: preferably cold ones. Bland or liquid diets that avoid chewing will save a lot of unnecessary pain.
• Soft bread or bland meals: once you have gotten through the first two days, perhaps you would still like to take it slow with the recovery process. Boiled vegetables and bland proteins are good options.
• Avoid crunchy or hard meals and super hot and spicy food. During this period, these are not your friends.

All of these recommendations are also good if you have orthodontic braces or aligners. If you’re new to the procedure, you may not know this yet, but the first days after you’ve been to your dentist’s office, you can experience mild to moderate pain in your gums.

This is due to the pressure of the orthodontic appliances. After a short period, your teeth will get used to their new position, and the pain will go. But while you are experiencing this, you can find some comfort in ice cream and bland diets.