Wisdom teeth are really just your third molars, located in the very back of your tooth arch and are the last of your adult teeth to erupt. They most commonly erupt between the ages of 17 and 20. Most people have them, but for some people, these third molars simply do not develop. Some patients might have more than one set of wisdom teeth! Only an x-ray can reveal the complete story.
A high number of patients who possess wisdom teeth don’t know they have them because the teeth are impacted, or stuck underneath already erupted teeth, as opposed to erupting normally through the gums. This is when wisdom teeth become problematic.
The patient’s jaw may be too small to allow for the full eruption of the wisdom tooth, leading to it becoming stuck in the jaw, pushing at other teeth, causing pain and shifting of the teeth. The tooth might be able to erupt partially, triggering a flap of gum tissue to develop over the tooth, trapping bacteria and germs which can lead to serious infection.
Sometimes wisdom teeth come in at strange angles, facing sideways or backward, or they develop a serious infection and damage the surrounding teeth. They can also lead to the development of a cyst or cause damage to the jawbone.
If your dentist has told you that you need to have your wisdom teeth out, it’s a good idea to listen and to follow that advice. Removing problematic wisdom teeth can reduce crowding in the mouth, infection in the gums or tooth decay in the wisdom tooth or in the surrounding teeth.
The younger you are when you have your wisdom teeth removed, the easier it is to recover. Ask your dentist to learn more about wisdom teeth and about your particular needs as a patient.
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Your teeth and gums are physical assets that you want to keep healthy your whole life, and the best way to do that is to take care of them. Proper dental care needs to begin at a young age so that good habits are established for life. It is a parent’s role to teach children proper hygiene, and to ensure they get professional treatment. Here are some ways that you can help your child learn good dental habits.
Supervise brushing:
Parents should watch children brush their teeth, especially for ages seven and under, to ensure the appropriate amount of toothpaste is used and that none is swallowed. Have your child brush for about two minutes, and make sure all areas of the teeth and gums are cleaned. Provide tips and help as needed.
Establish good eating habits:
Teach your child that diet impacts oral health. Some foods worsen plaque buildup and introduce damaging acid into the mouth, leading to increased tooth decay and higher risk for cavities and gum disease. Certain foods and drinks are also known to stain teeth, or cause bad breath.
Promote water consumption:
Drinking water not only is good for your overall health, it’s also helpful to your mouth. Encourage your child to drink water after eating, especially if it’s not possible to brush teeth right away. Also, fluoridated water is proven to help fight cavities.
Visit the dentist:
Begin taking your child to the dentist around age one, so that the child gets good dental care and learns that dental visits aren’t scary. Have a positive attitude about checkups, and consider taking your child to a pediatric dentist who specializes in children’s oral health.
Be a role model:
As the saying goes, practice what you preach. Set a good example of brushing at least twice daily, flossing every day, limiting your intake of staining foods and drinks, and visiting your dentist regularly.
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Having a smile that embarrasses you is not a good way to go through life. With so many options available for improving the way your teeth look, there’s no reason to continue trying to hide them. One of the best options available today is Invisalign, or invisible braces. This innovative technology may be able to help you transform your smile without the hassles of traditional orthodontics.
Invisalign consists of a series of clear plastic aligning trays that gently shift your teeth into better positions. Practically invisible when worn, these aligners are removable for eating and cleaning. No dealing with a mouthful of unsightly metal, avoiding restricted foods, or worrying about food becoming stuck in your braces.
What types of problems can Invisalign correct? Some common flaws include gaps between teeth, crowded teeth, overlapping teeth, mild malocclusions, or twisted teeth. Issues like these not only impact the appearance of your smile, but can also cause oral health complications such as difficulty in cleaning or improper wearing on your teeth.
Who should consider Invisalign? Anyone with teeth problems like those above is likely a good candidate, especially those who want to make the best impressions on others in their professional and personal lives. If you want to repair your smile without wearing traditional braces and have the choice of removing your orthodontics for special occasions, then you’ll find Invisalign very appealing. This applies to patients of many ages, from adults in the working world to self-conscious teens. Invisalign is a great solution for those who play sports or play musical instruments that might be hindered by traditional braces.
If you are unhappy with your smile, schedule a consultation with a professional who offers Invisalign as a treatment option. Find out if this treatment can help you, and begin your journey to a brand new beautiful smile.
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Statistics show that losing natural teeth is still a common occurrence in oral health today. You might be surprised to know that it is estimated that 70% of Americans have lost at least one tooth by middle age. That’s why dentistry has worked hard to come up with an ideal solution as a permanent, comfortable, and attractive way to restore smiles. Dental implants are the answer.
Getting a dental implant consists of having a metal rod, usually made of titanium, surgically inserted into the jaw bone. Once the area has healed from surgery, a crown is typically placed on top to complete the restoration. This procedure results in a very secure and comfortable new tooth that shouldn’t cause problems again.
There’s a long history of other types of tooth replacement options, such as dentures and bridges. Why are dental implants considered to be the preferred choice today?
Appearance – the crown that is placed on top of an implant is aesthetically pleasing, giving you a natural smile.
Tooth preparation – no preparation or reduction to neighboring teeth is necessary with dental implants. The natural tooth structure of existing teeth is preserved.
Comfort – similar to your natural teeth, implants go into your jaw bone. This offers the same comfort and security as real teeth.
Durability – implants are made to last forever. With good care, you can expect them to last the rest of your life.
Diet – there are no dietary restrictions with implants. With dentures and bridges, you might miss out on some foods that could loosen or break your appliance. Implants allow you to eat whatever you’d like.
Maintenance – cleaning implants is the same as cleaning natural teeth. Brushing and flossing is performed normally, and no soaking or external care of appliances is required because the restoration is permanently installed in your mouth.
If you’re looking for a long-term and durable solution for missing teeth, ask your dentist about implants. The success rate is high, and the convenience and comfort can rarely be beaten by other alternatives.
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There’s really no way to avoid teeth becoming discolored over time. Even though you might brush like crazy, the odds are against keeping your bright white smile forever. Certain foods, aging, and habits like smoking are common culprits for staining teeth. With these factors against you, teeth whitening methods are in high demand. There are two main kinds of professional whitening methods: in-office and at-home. How do you know which is right for you?
Professional whitening in your dentist’s office is the most effective way to brighten your smile. It is the fastest way to achieve dramatic results, becoming up to ten shades brighter in just one hour. The bleaching gel used in the dentist’s office contains higher concentrations of peroxide, quickly and effectively attacking stains. In-office whitening utilizes special lights to activate the gel. The dentist is there to monitor the process to ensure you are comfortable and get ideal results.
There are a few negatives to consider with in-office whitening. Some patients experience sensitivity with the bleaching gel or the small amounts of heat during the process. Also, in-office whitening is often the most expensive way to brighten your smile, although many people consider the dramatic improvement worth the cost.
Whitening your teeth at home is somewhat less effective than in-office treatments, but many patients who don’t want to spend the time or money in the dentist’s chair appreciate this method. These kits consist of trays that your dentist provides that you fill with a lower concentrated whitening solution and wear for about thirty minutes at a time. Full results are usually possible in roughly ten days, and some patients achieve similar results as in-office methods.
Even with the lower strength gel, patients may experience discomfort during at-home whitening. You also must remember to wear the trays daily and be consistent with their use in order to obtain good results. At-home kits require patience.
Whichever professional whitening method you choose, a brighter smile is possible. Good oral hygiene practices afterwards and occasional touch-ups with home products will help maintain your brilliant new smile.
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Many people are afraid of getting their wisdom teeth out based on horror stories from the internet or scary tales exaggerated by others. The best way to fight these fears is to learn more about the procedure and what you can truly expect.
The first thing to know is that wisdom teeth extractions are the most common oral surgeries. Most oral surgeons perform an average of one a day, so that experience has provided skill and expertise in the procedure. Also, you will be under some degree of anesthesia. Whether it’s general anesthesia or even just nitrous oxide (laughing gas), you won’t feel anything during the surgery and won’t remember what happened afterwards.
One common fear is the bleeding associated with wisdom teeth extractions. While there is some bleeding from the site after surgery, it is usually easily controlled by following the after-care instructions. You will be told to gently bite on gauze in that area of your mouth, and change it frequently. Propping your head up will help limit the bleeding also.
Swelling is another reason some fear this surgery, but it should be gone in just a few days. You can hold ice packs to the outside of your cheek off and on for the first 24 hours to decrease the swelling.
The recovery process should go smoothly if you follow your oral surgeon’s advice. Have someone drive you to and from the appointment, and eat soft foods at first. Do not use a straw for the first few days, and avoid touching the area with your fingers or tongue. Also, do not smoke for at least the first 24 hours following surgery.
While there are risks associated with any surgery, most wisdom teeth extractions are without complications and recovery is complete in just a few days to a week. The benefits of having the surgery outweigh the risk of ignoring your dentist’s advice to have your wisdom teeth removed.
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