If you didn’t have your wisdom teeth out as a young person, you may be wondering about having them out as an adult. Your dentist may have recommended that you prevent future infections, cysts or pain in the jaw due to wisdom teeth that are growing under other teeth – known as impacted teeth. Even a type of tumor has been linked to impacted wisdom teeth.
Impacted teeth result when the wisdom tooth grows up under an existing tooth. Sometimes, adults have wisdom teeth that come in completely straight behind back molars. In rare cases, one or more of these teeth don’t grow at all. An x-ray can reveal the presence of the teeth. Impacted teeth cause problems with existing teeth and must come out.
Because the roots of wisdom teeth typically fully develop near the age of 24, removing them after this time can be more complicated. Roots can entwine with facial nerves, making extraction problematic. It’s recommended that adults receive a CT scan of their jaw, showing the clear positioning of facial nerves and roots, something not shown by x-rays. If the roots of the lower wisdom teeth aren’t touching or wrapped around the alveolar nerve, extraction is still possible.
Adults with wisdom teeth are at higher risk for gum disease. Gum disease has been linked to an increase of pregnancy complication and other health issues. Previously believed only to affect patients in their late 30s, this gum disease is now being shown to affect much younger patients, especially young pregnant women. Growing evidence is also connecting gum disease to inflammation due to chronic infections in the body, leading to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Talk to your dentist today to see if you should have your wisdom teeth removed. Be honest about any symptoms you’re having, such as pain or pressure, and let the professional evaluate your specific situation.
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Sometimes an injury or tooth pain can occur suddenly, and immediate dental care may be required. It’s not always obvious when a problem needs emergency care, but some dental emergencies do need to be treated quickly to avoid infections or permanent damage. Here’s a guide to situations that are usually considered dental emergencies.
Cracked or broken tooth – contact your dentist immediately. Rinse your mouth with water and hold a cold compress to the affected area until you can get to your dentist’s office.
Excessive bleeding with lip or tongue bite – clean the area and use a cold compress. Go to the emergency room if the bleeding is severe or won’t stop.
Jaw injury – if you think you may have broken your jaw, apply a cold pack and immediately to your dentist’s office or the emergency room.
Knocked out tooth –rinse the root of the lost tooth if it’s dirty. Do not scrub or removed any tissue left on the tooth. Try reinserting the tooth into its socket, but if that isn’t successful, see your dentist right away. Placing the lost tooth in milk may help preserve the tooth until you can get professional help.
Loose tooth – see your dentist immediately if one of your teeth is loosened. Take over-the-counter pain reliever if needed, and apply a cold compress.
Lost crown or filling – place the crown or filling in a safe place and contact your dentist. To decrease sensitivity, you may apply clove oil and dental cement available at your drugstore, but only if you’ve gotten approval from your dentist.
Severe or sudden toothache – rinse your mouth with warm water and gently floss around the tooth. Contact your dentist if your toothache persists.
Swelling – painful swelling in your mouth may indicate an abscess, which is an infected area of pus that can become serious. See your dentist as soon as possible, and try rinsing your mouth with saltwater in the meantime.
If you live in the Sicklerville area contact us today
If you’re looking for an instant smile upgrade, dental veneers might be your answer. These thin customized shells made of porcelain or resin are used to cover numerous kinds of teeth imperfections. They are bonded to the fronts of your teeth to give you a beautiful smile. Why do people choose dental veneers for their smiles? The list of benefits is long!
Natural look: Veneers reflect light in the same way as real teeth, making them look very realistic. Their thin width allow them to blend into your smile.
Color: Veneers are custom-made to match the exact shade of white that you desire. You and your dentist can work together to match your natural tooth shade, or to choose a brighter color that whitens your smile.
Durability: Veneers can last for ten years or longer with proper care. Once bonded onto your teeth, they are quite strong if you avoid doing things like biting into hard foods.
Versatility: Dental veneers hide nearly every cosmetic tooth flaw that you might have. Discolorations, chips, cracks, gaps, misalignment and more can all be covered. Veneers can even give your teeth a new shape and size if desired.
Functionality: Veneers can strengthen teeth that are cracked, fractured or chipped. This can improve your teeth’s function at the same time as transforming their appearance.
Stain resistance: Porcelain and resin both resist stains so that you can expect your veneers to remain the same color as when you got them. However, it’s smart to avoid consuming items that are known staining culprits.
Speed: It may take a week or longer to create your personalized veneers in a dental lab, but the actual process of applying them takes only about an hour.
Ease on teeth: Very little of your natural tooth must be removed in order to place veneers. The nerves of your teeth should remain unaffected, decreasing the risk of sensitivity.
Recovery: You can return to your normal routine as soon as your veneers have been placed, as there is no period of recovery or adjustment needed.
Maintenance: Veneers do not require any kind of special maintenance. You can just continue with your normal brushing and flossing routines.
We treat patients from Sicklerville and the surrounding area
No matter how much you want to preserve your real teeth, it’s not uncommon for people to lose teeth. It may occur with age, decay, gum disease, or injury. If this happens to you, there’s no reason to go through life missing teeth in your smile. It’s better to quickly see your dentist for replacement teeth, so that you avoid shifting of your remaining teeth, speech problems, or saggy facial muscles. One solution that your dentist will likely offer to restore your smile is dentures. Here are some tips to help you select the right dentures for you.
Dentist
An important step in the process of getting dentures is making sure you have a qualified and experienced dentist treating you. Most dentists provide dentures as part of their services, or you may choose to go to a prosthodontist. This type of specialist focuses on restorative dentistry. No matter who you choose, make sure that you are confident you will get dentures that meet your specific goals and needs.
Type of dentures
There are several types of dentures available, each with their own attributes. These are the main kinds:
Full dentures – an acrylic appliance that replaces all of the teeth in your upper jaw. These are functional and replicate your real teeth, and are usually comfortable when fitted correctly.
Partial dentures – these replace one or two missing teeth using a dental arch. Partial dentures are made of acrylic, metal, plastic, or a combination of these materials. These are attached with a clip that holds them in place in your mouth.
Permanent dentures – these dentures are permanently attached and require almost no maintenance. They are the costliest of the types of dentures.
Color
Dentures are available in various shades of white so that you can select the color that is most natural for you. Be careful about choosing the brightest white color, which may look unnatural compared to the color of your real teeth. Your dentist will help you find a neutral color that looks best with your smile and complexion.
We treat patients from Sicklerville and the surrounding area
Chances are you would be disgusted at the thought of leaving your eating utensils on your bathroom counter exposed to germs, and never washing them but continuing to eat with them. This is essentially what you’re doing if you leave your toothbrush sitting out, and never sanitize or change it. Let’s talk about how to keep your toothbrush from being a germ-infested threat to your health.
Your toothbrush can be contaminated by bacteria, saliva, blood, and food particles with each use. Even after you rinse it with water, your toothbrush may appear clean but germs linger on the bristles. Some of the sources of bacteria on your toothbrush include:
Your mouth, which transfers germs to your toothbrush during use.
The environment, because bathrooms are often the most contaminated room in your house.
The packaging, since toothbrushes aren’t sold in sterile packages they can arrive with germs already on them.
Here are some tips to guard your toothbrush from germs:
Before and after you brush your teeth, wash your hands to get rid of germs.
Rinse your toothbrush well with water, and then allow it to air dry.
Store the toothbrush upright so that water can drain from it while drying.
Consider storing your toothbrush in a dry area outside of the bathroom, away from humidity and toilet spray
Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or more often if you notice worn bristles.
Do not share your toothbrush with anyone.
Do not soak your toothbrush in disinfectant or mouthwash, which can lead to cross contamination
Do not bother microwaving your toothbrush or running it in the dishwasher, because these tactics may damage your brush.
Schedule your appointment at our Sicklerville dental office
Your body is a little bit like a puzzle. It gives you clues to help you figure out what’s going on within your body. Did you know your mouth can give you hints about things that may be happening elsewhere in your body? Here’s a list of some of the signs your mouth can give you to pay attention to certain other aspects of your health.
Worn teeth and headache
If your teeth are showing extensive wear, you may be grinding your teeth. This would be even a stronger possibility if you’re also experiencing regular headaches, which can be caused by the muscle tension related to teeth grinding. This condition also indicates that you are likely under too much stress, and that you are unconsciously coping with it by grinding your teeth.
Gums covering teeth
If your gums begin to grow over your teeth and you are on medication, it may mean that your medication is at fault. Some medicines can cause your gums to overgrow, and the dosage needs to be adjusted.
Mouth sores
An open sore in your mouth that doesn’t go away in a couple of weeks can be an indicator of oral cancer. Numbness and unexplained bleeding in your mouth are other signs. Smokers and people over age 60 are at the most risk, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect others too. See your dentist to make sure all is okay.
Cracked teeth
If your teeth begin to crack or wear extensively, you may have gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD). It’s a digestive disease that allows stomach acid to flow back into your food pipe and mouth. This acid can cause your teeth to deteriorate. Additional signs of GERD are acid reflux, heartburn, and dry mouth.
Unclean dentures
If you wear dentures, make sure you remove and clean them regularly. Inhaling food debris from your dentures that makes its way to your lungs can lead to pneumonia.
If you need a dentist in Sicklerville contact us today
