What Are the Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth? December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 What are Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located in the very back of the mouth,located in both the upper and lower areas. In most cases, the wisdom teeth don’thave ample room to grow or erupt in a normal fashion, which in turn causes theteeth to become impacted. In certain cases, impacted wisdom teeth do not causeany issues and can remain in the mouth for life. However, the awkwardpositioning of the teeth can make them difficult to brush or floss, which caneventually lead to decay. Why Do Wisdom Teeth Require Removal? Wisdom teeth removal is often recommended when the teeth cause dental issuesor uncomfortable symptoms, and the procedure may also be recommended if thedentist or oral surgeon suspects that the impacted teeth may cause problems inthe future. Understanding the signs of impacted wisdom teeth and discussingtreatment options with a dental professional can help patients determinewhether or not wisdom teeth removal is the appropriate procedure to suit theirparticular oral health care needs. Signs and Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth In certain cases, impacted wisdom teeth do not cause any symptoms and are onlydetected in X-rays during regular dental checkups. However, the condition canalso cause symptoms such as jaw pain, swelling in the jaw area, swollen orinflamed gums in the back molar area and gum tenderness. Individuals withimpacted wisdom teeth may also experience headaches, bleeding gums and foulbreath. While these symptoms can also be caused by other health issues, it isalways best for individuals to consult with a dental professional to ensure aproper diagnosis, as complications such as oral cysts, gum disease and damage tothe surrounding molars can occur if the condition is left untreated.Treatment Options for Impacted Wisdom TeethIf impacted wisdom teeth that are discovered upon X-ray examinations do notcause discomfort or dental hygiene problems, the condition is referred to asasymptomatic impaction, and patients may be advised to take a “watch and wait”approach. During this period, the dentist will examine the teeth on a regular basisand monitor the impacted areas for symptoms. When the teeth are causingsignificant pain, dental decay or gum problems, wisdom teeth removal is usuallyrecommended. Wisdom Teeth Removal During a wisdom teeth removal procedure, an dentist or oral surgeon creates anincision in the gums in order to access the wisdom teeth. If there are bonesblocking the underlying teeth, these will be removed as well. Once the teeth areremoved, the area is thoroughly cleaned and the gums are stitched together. Thetooth sockets are packed with gauze to protect the area and promote properhealing. Patients must follow specific aftercare instructions such as rinsing withsalt water and avoiding using straws until the teeth are properly healed, as thesepractices help to prevent complications and minimize the chance of infection.
Why is Candy Bad For Your Teeth? December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 Sometimes a sugary treat is necessary, but eating too much candy can create life-changing damage to the teeth. Here are a few different reasons and explanationson the way that certain candies can damage your teeth. The Sugar A bacteria in our mouths,”streptococcus,” loves to feed on the sugar that weknowingly accept is in the candy we enjoy so much. As it feeds on the sugar, it isbroken down into acid that eats away at our tooth enamel. The longer that thesugar lingers in your mouth, the more exposure to acid. Brush your teeth or drinksome water to make sure that the teeth have a quick rinse from the sugar andthat the candy is not stuck in the crevices of your molars. Hard Candy Sucking on a hard candy increases the length of time that the bacteria has toconvert the sugar into acid, raising the risk of decay. Besides the exposure tosugar, hard candy can also physically damage your teeth in an instant. Chompingdown on hard candy, especially if the teeth are not as strong as they should be,can lead to a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth. These are not only expensive tofix, but can also become a dental emergency. Citrus or Sour Candy Citrus acts a lot like sugar wherein it can erode enamel. You may think you arechoosing the healthier option when eating fruit-flavored candy, but even thesecandies have more citrus and acidic additives that will slowly eat away at yourenamel and make you more susceptible to tooth decay. Citrus candies can alsoirritate mouth sores or cuts, creating a painful sting. Chewy Candy Chewy candy or even dried fruits are the worst with sugar that sticks to the teeth.Even if you drink water after eating some sticky, chewy candy, it will more thanlikely stay in your teeth creating damage. When eating chewy candy, it is best tobrush afterwards. Also, be careful when chewing because this type of candy canpull out a filling, onlay, inlay, or crown.There is no reason to completely avoid candy, but choose sugar-free gum orcandy when given the option. Remember to keep everything in moderation, andbrush/floss to make sure residue is gone. Visit a dentist for a deep cleaning and toassure that you are on the right path to strong, healthy teeth.
Reasons Dentures Stop Fitting Correctly December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 One of the most upsetting aspects many denture wearers must deal with is havingdentures that do not fit well. When dentures are too loose or rub a wearer’s gumsit can cause sores to form. This can lead to pain and discomfort when thedentures are being worn. This can be a difficult situation and can often cause thepatient to wonder what is wrong with the way their dentures were made. Cause of Improper Fitting Dentures Most denture wearers may become confused as why their dentures havesuddenly changed and stopped fitting properly. Often they may think thedentures were designed improperly. However, this is generally not the case. Inmost situations, the dentures have not changed, but instead the change hasoccurred in the shape of the person’s mouth. Reasons the Mouth Changes Shape When a person has teeth removed from their mouth, it will often cause changesto begin happening in the structure of their jaw and face as well. This occursbecause the jawbone no longer has dental roots to support. This is often referredto as bone resorption. Without the substance of the dental roots, the jawbonewill gradually start to breakdown and deteriorate. This causes the structure of themouth to change. Since the dentures cannot adjust to the new shape, the wearerwill experience problems. Ways to Correct Denture Fit When this type of situation occurs, a denture wearer may think they can help incorrecting the problem by using creams, pads or other over the counter productsto keep their dentures in place. While these products can often produce someresults, they are only temporary. To properly correct the fit of dentures, they willneed to be adjusted by a dentist.Relining the dentures is generally the main way this is done. During a relineprocess, the dentist will remove a portion of the base of the dentures. A puttysubstance will be applied to the base and new impressions of the patient’s gumswill be taken. From this mold, a new denture base can be created to match thecurrent shape of the patient’s mouth.Denture wearers will experience issues with the fit of their dentures every fewyears, because of changes in their bone mass and the shape of their mouth. Byseeing a dentist adjustments to the dentures can be made. This can help inrestoring the fit of their dentures.
Why Is It Important To Take Care Of My Cavities Sooner Rather Than Later? December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 Dental health is surprising closely linked to the health of the rest of the body.Always remember that a healthy mouth is a signal of a healthy person. Once aperson realizes that they have a cavity, either from pain in their mouth or fromlearning it from a dentist, they might not be sure if they want to have it taken careof right away. Some fear have to take care of these problems, as they are afraidthat having a cavity filled will painful. Others may not be sure if they can afford it,and often choose to put off taking care of the cavity.However, the longer the wait, the more time the cavity has to get worse. Thosewho want to put off the procedure to save money or pain are not doingthemselves a favor in the long run. Having a cavity filled is a fairly simple andinexpensive procedure. However, those who leave cavities on their teeth ofteneventually need a root canal. This is a far more expensive and far more painfuldental procedure that can often be avoided by having the cavity taken care ofearly on.Also, those who don’t take care of their cavities run the risk of allowing thecavities to spread to other teeth. Again, this leads to more pain and more moneyspent in the future in order to take care of the problem that could have beensolved right away. Every day a person allows a cavity to sit on their teeth, there isa small hole that is continuing to get bigger and bigger. It will often develop intoother problems, and can even lead to serious infections in the teeth and mouth.Don’t wait too long, get a cavity taken care of right away. Having a cavity filled is aprocedure that isn’t terribly painful, and it doesn’t cost as much as a root canal.Don’t wait until there is serious pain to have a tooth dealt with, just see a dentistright away and keep the mouth healthy.
Why Should I Have My Teeth Cleaned Twice A Year? December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 Regular dental care, both at home and in the dental office, is extremelyimportant. Of course, visiting your dentist every six months for a thoroughcleaning improves your dental hygiene. What some do not realize is that thedentist does much more than simply brush your teeth, and proper oral hygienehas benefits reaching way beyond your mouth, with links to health issues such asheart disease and diabetes. In spite of all the benefits, many people neglectroutine dental visits. Perhaps a better understanding of what the dentist does willencourage more to keep up with these important appointments.One part of a dental visit is a cleaning. Dentists will often pay extra close attentionto plaque and tartar. Plaque and tartar can build up very quickly if good hygiene is not practiced at home. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria. If not cleaned, plaquewill harden into tartar and can lead to various oral diseases. Brushing and flossingat home can remove plaque, but cannot remove tartar once it is formed. Dentistshave a special tool that is able to remove tartar during a dental visit. Anotherimportant component of a dental visit often includes a visual examination and x-rays to check for any tooth decay. Early detection of cavities is very beneficial inefforts to minimize the damage to teeth. Small areas of decay can be removedand filled, thus saving the tooth from a major repair or even extraction.During a routine visit, the dentist will likely do a visual exam of your face, neck,jaw joints, lymph nodes, throat, tongue, and gums to look for any indications oforal cancer, infection, or disease. A special tool is usually used to check gumhealth. One indicator of gum disease is deeper areas between your teeth andgums. It is nearly impossible to maintain healthy teeth with an unhealthy mouth,and your dentist can help you maintain overall oral health.Routine dental health is very important for people of all ages. For very youngchildren, visiting the dentist helps establish a routine and makes them feelcomfortable with the cleaning procedures. Preventative care, such as sealants andfluoride are very important as permanent teeth develop and grow in. Oral healthis extremely important and can also be an indicator of overall health. Doctors aretaking a more holistic approach to dental health, and noting that certainconditions, such as advanced gum disease, can be indicators of a more chroniccondition elsewhere in the body. Visiting the dentist causes many to feel nervous,so it is important to keep an open line of communication with your dentist toalleviate any apprehension about your appointment. By visiting the dentist twicea year, you can help ensure that dentists are able to keep your teeth, mouth, andwhole body healthy and strong.
It’s been a long time since I’ve visited the dentist. What do I need to do? December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 Determine Your Needs Before going to the dentist it is necessary for patients to understand what theyare expecting from their care provider. If a perspective patient is interested incertain services they should research whether the dental office they are going toprovides these cosmetic procedures. Also asking about insurance coverageacceptance is important before scheduling an initial consultation. Discussing anyfears and previous negative experiences with dental care with the person who isscheduling the appointment can be helpful for people who are nervous aboutreturning to receive dental care. Gather Dental Records When a dentist is provided with the proper access to important informationabout a patients dental history they are better able to address any existingproblems. Gathering all records prior to going to an initial consultation will alsogive the dentist the opportunity to look over the information prior to theappointment. This can save time during the initial consultation so that the processmoves quickly to avoid any nervous energy which may exist in the patient. Havingaccess to records will also allow the dentist to know of any weak spots in themouth of a new patient. Make a List of Questions It is important to be prepared when going to the dentist for the first time in awhile. Making a list of questions regarding proper dental health is always a goodidea for patient. There are certain behaviors which can help a patient to improvetheir overall oral health. Making note of any dental pain which the patient hashad in the past can help to address any larger concerns which may need to beinvestigated further by the dentist. If a person is concerned about the pain of anyprocedures they should ask about the use of drugs to help relax them prior to theprocedure. The more honest that the relationship between patient and dentist is,the easier it can be to maintain proper oral hygiene. Gather Medication List A dentist often needs to be told about the medications that a person is taking inorder to create a treatment plan. There are some medications which can causemedical difficulties and impact the strength of the teeth. Making a list ofmedications will also help the dentist to plan which sedatives to utilize in theevent there is a need to use a drug to help the patient relax during an intenseprocedure. More information is usually best when trying to help the dentistunderstand the concerns of a patient. Certain drugs can also impact on the lengthof time it will take for dental procedures be completely healed.
Benefits of Bone Graft December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 Taking good care of one’s oral health lowers the chances of dental healthcomplications, but sometimes, problems may still arise. Luckily, we live in a timewhere modern health care techniques are available, allowing therapy andrestoration of teeth. Dentists make use of various health care procedures, andone of these is bone grafting. Read on to know more about what bone grafts arereally for, and the benefits that you will have if you avail of bone grafting. What are bone grafts? Bone grafting is the process of replacing missing bone to repair bone fracturesand bone loss. There are a lot of bone grafts that may be done all over the body,but today the focus is on dental bone grafting procedures. When you lose yourteeth through gum disease or any kind of trauma, you may want to make use ofbone grafts in order to keep your bone in its current form. Bone grafts may also be done even if you have had your teeth pulled out years ago; the procedure willrestore your bone to its previous form. Benefits of Bone Grafts You may wonder why it is so important to keep your dental bones in its originalform. Firstly, bone grafts ensure the restoration and maintenance of facial bonestructures is essential to keep you from developing other dental diseases andproblems. One such issue arises after tooth loss. Missing teeth can cause thealveolar bones (the bones that hold your teeth) to atrophy or waste away.Alveolar bone atrophy usually occurs within the first three years of tooth loss ortooth extraction. This leads to a deformity which can prevent you from chewingyour food the right way, speaking properly, muscle dysfunctions and even pain inyour mouth. If you wait too long before you correct the problem, you may haveinsufficient bone or soft tissues to support your prosthetic replacement.Bone grafting may highly improve the appearance and usefulness of implants,dentures and crowns that are needed, since these procedures need a sturdyjawbone to anchor on. It is also useful in preventing future problems that mayarise due to insufficient bone density in your dental area. Grafts done in theanterior region is also helpful in preserving ridge topography, greatly benefitingthe appearance of prior fixed bridgeworks.Secondly, the space caused by the missing tooth causes other remaining teeth toshift, which may even result to the change of your facial bone structure.Bone grafting may also be needed for other purposes and cases, too, like trauma,misalignmet, bacterial infection of the jawbone, tumors and sinus deficiencies. Bone grafting procedure The degree of bone grafting depends on the degree of bone loss – which will bedetermined by your dentist. The bone needed for grafting may come from apatient’s own bone (usually the tibia or hip) or may be sourced from a tissuebank. Dental bone grafting is one of the most challenging procedures that dentistsovertake. Fortunately, the success rates for dental bone grafting are very high.However, there are times when a bone graft may fail – and in the event, a secondgraft may be needed.
Options for Missing Teeth December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 For a lot of people, there would eventually come a point when your dentist wouldbreak the news that their tooth (or teeth) can no longer be saved. It has to be extracted in order to avoid causing further damage to the remaining teeth.Missing teeth may cause a number of concerns. On top of the list is how youwould be able to smile confidently with a tooth or teeth, missing. The good newsis that there are actually available options about what you can do with that emptyspace. Dentures This is the most affordable among the three options for missing teeth.Furthermore, dental insurance plans generally cover a percentage of the denturecost. You never have to hide your missing teeth for a long time since theremovable false teeth could be fabricated in just a short time. Hence, you canimmediately use to replace your missing tooth/teeth – even on the same day thatyou lose them. Since it is not fixed in your mouth, it is just a breeze to keep itclean.However, the temporary nature of dentures also means that they are the leastsecure solution to replace a tooth. Some patients have to utilize special adhesivesbecause the dentures tend to move when eating and talking. Denture wearusually causes speech impediments in some people. Fixed Bridge Unlike dentures, this option is fixed and cannot be taken out of the mouth. Apercentage of its cost is also covered by most dental insurance plans. It canalready be attached within weeks after losing the tooth and can last an average often years.Cleaning a fixed bridge requires a special brush and instrument. The supportingteeth may also need to undergo root canal before the procedure. Although tenyears is an approximate, its longevity still pales in comparison to dental implants. Dental Implant Aside from looking like real teeth, dental implants also function like one. You caneven floss or brush it the way you would with your natural teeth. They do notdecay and do not cause the surrounding gum to suffer from gum disease. There is also no need to restore other teeth to be able to place the implant. With a success rate of approximately 93 to 96 percent, dental implants are alsoconsidered as the most stable among all three options for missing teeth.Time and cost are the main disadvantages of this option. Apart from being thepriciest option, it is also not covered by dental insurance. The fabrication of thedental implant can take longer, thus delaying the replacement of the missingtooth. It could also take a number of months for the dental implant to completelyheal.There are certainly a number of options that you can take into account in theevent that you lose a tooth. Just make sure to know your options and consult yourdentist.
What Is Causing My Bad Breath December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 No matter how appealing or fashionable you are, when people smell anunpleasant odor the moment you open your mouth, they can easily be turned off.Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, can definitely affect a person’sday to day life, particularly in terms of communicating with others. Yet, it is veryeasy to treat, especially when you know what actually causes it.What are the factors that cause bad breath? Xerostomia or Dry Mouth When there is a decreased flow of saliva, the cleansing system of the mouth isalso reduced. This, then, brings about the unpleasant breath odor. This case ismost commonly caused by having a night’s sleep. Other causes include medicinalside effect and dehydration. It may also be an indicator of an underlying medicalcondition, like Sjögren’s syndrome. Radiotherapy to the neck and head part canalso trigger bad breath due to xerostomia. Foods, Beverages and Medications Chemical substances in the food and drinks that people consume can enter theblood vessels, and be exhaled from the respiratory system. Spicy foods, garlic, andalcoholic beverages are just some of the most popular foods and drinks that tendto leave an unpleasant smell in your mouth, which give rise to halitosis. Just likefoods and drinks, a number of medicines can also cause bad breath. Some of themedicines that may cause bad breath include chloral hydrate, betel,phenothiazines, and chemotherapy medications. Fasting Fasting can bring about bad breath due to the ketones, which are produced bythe fat breakdown. Some of these chemicals are then exhaled with every breath.This would then cause the air coming out of your mouth to smell bad. Dental Hygiene Maintaining a clean teeth and mouth does not only help keep your teeth healthy,it also promotes fresh breath. When eating, some food debris may get trappedbetween the teeth. Brushing and flossing is important to make sure the debris willnot cause your breath to smell bad. Smoking Tobacco products have the tendency to create an ashtray-like breath odor. This iswhy anyone can quickly detect if someone has just smoked cigarette. Medical Condition In some cases, underlying medical conditions may be the culprit of theembarrassing breath. Some of these conditions are the following: sinusitis, polypin the nose, infection in the mouth, throat, tonsils or lung area. Identify and treatthe medical condition to be able to finally get rid of your bad breath. Finding out what causes your bad breath helps you combat it by avoiding whatcauses it in the first place. In the event that your bad breath does not go awayeven after following proper dental care – visit your dentist. It may be caused byan underlying condition which may need further medical intervention.
Tooth Decay Will Not Get Better Unless You Treat It December 15, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 Some people tend to brush off health issues and not take action, as they usuallyget better by themselves. A person may, for example, ignore a small wound or acold until it heals or eventually goes away. Unlike some health issues that go awaywhen you ignore them, a cavity or tooth decay does not spontaneously get betterand will only get worse, so action is needed the moment your dentist detects one. What Are Cavities? Cavities are holes in the teeth which are caused by a combination of bacterialgrowth and acidic environment. This is formed when microorganisms in yourteeth surface become active (usually as they are regularly exposed to and feed onsugars in your mouth). When they do so, they start eating away at the hard tissueof your teeth, causing holes to form. A cavity may start out small, but when leftunchecked and untreated, will simply continue to grow and cause more and moreproblems. What Happens Then If a cavity is not treated with a filling, it can destroy the whole tooth, making ithard to conventional restoration. Sometimes, the bacteria may eat at the wholetooth and reach the pulp chamber, where blood vessels and nerves are located.This can cause severe pain and discomfort as irritation and infection occurs. If thishappens, only a root canal treatment can fix the problem, after which the toothwould be restored with a crown.There are also some situations where almost all of the tooth is destroyed thatthere is nothing else left to do but to extract it. Aside from, teeth loss – toothdecay can also cause bad breath, even after constant brushing and flossing andgargling of mouth wash.Ideally, you do not want your tooth decay to reach a point where it becomesirreversible. Thus, it is recommended that you see a dentist every six months tokeep your teeth healthy. Regular checkups also help detect problems like cavitiesin their earlier stage. This way, it can still be dealt with using milder and easiertreatments like fillings. If your dentist tells you that you have cavities and recommends a treatment plan– don’t put it off until it’s too late. Cavities won’t go away on their own so youneed definitely need to do something about it as soon as you can.
Root Canal Vs Tooth Extraction December 11, 2024 0 0 4.1 0 When there is a serious tooth infection, dentists will either extract the teethrecommend an endodontic treatment, which is otherwise known as a root canal.Root canals are done by endodontists, or dental health professionals whospecialize in the procedure. Is Root Canal A Better Option? A root canal is done by removing the infected or inflamed pulp from inside thetooth. The endodontist then carefully cleans the area inside of the canal, fills it up,and seals the space. Then, the tooth is restored using a filling or a crown.A root canal is often recommended because it saves the natural tooth. Whilehaving one’s tooth extracted may seem like an easier and quicker option, a rootcanal has advantages over extraction. It keeps your teeth as is, maintain yournatural smile. It also promotes normal sensation and biting and promotes properchewing.Extraction, on the other hand may lead to complications in the long run. The gapleft by the extracted tooth can cause adjacent teeth to shift as they start to fill outthe newly empty spot. This may lead to the development of crooked teeth andmay also cause a bad bite. This can cause problems in chewing and biting, as wellas problems with the temporomandibular joint which can cause persistentheadaches, ear pain, dizziness and jaw popping or clicking.Endodontic treatment continues to enjoy a high success rate, and a treated toothcan continue to function normally and can be maintained for years after thetreatment. This method saves the natural tooth, making it a very viablealternative to tooth extraction. When Is Extraction Better? Not all situations call for root canals, as there are also some situations wheretooth extraction is a better option. Some situations include the following:A small mouth – Accessing the canal with the use of files and drill requires space,which can be difficult with a very small mouth.Some medical conditions – Some patients may not be mentally or physically ableto remain still for long periods of time and may not be able to accept a complexroot canal therapy.Unrestorable tooth – Sometimes, a tooth can be deemed unrestorable, especiallywhen the decay extends to the fibers and bones that support the teeth. Whenthis happens, a root canal treatment may be inappropriate and may simply be awaste of money and time.Unopposed tooth – Sometimes a tooth may be unopposed. With no toothopposite to it to chew on, it can have very limited function, so an extractionwould be a better idea.Root fractures – Root fractures cause a stream of bacteria into the mouth, whichwill simply re-infect the root canal.Unsuccessful root canal – A failed root canal treatment may also warrant theneed for an extraction, especially if the prognosis is poor.In the event of a tooth problem, your dentist will first inspect the affected toothand determine the gravity of the condition before recommending possibleprocedures that can be done. When given the choice between a root canal and anextraction, expects will definitely recommend the former. However, your dentistwill let you know if a root canal is not possible and if the situation warrants anextraction instead.
