Permanent teeth are supposed to be just that: permanent. Dentists will always do what they can to help patients preserve their natural teeth, but sometimes an extraction is what’s better for the person’s health. Teeth that are broken beyond repair, overcrowded, infected, or damaged by periodontitis can all cause serious health problems if not extracted. A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that by 17 years old, 7% of Americans have already had at least one permanent tooth extracted because of tooth decay. By the age of 50, Americans have lost an average of 12 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.
So, if you’ve recently had a tooth extraction in Marlton or will be getting one soon, you aren’t alone. But once the procedure is over, what comes next? Read on to learn what you can expect in the days to come, and what to do now that you’re missing a tooth.
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