Wisdom Teeth Problems
August 19, 2008
Of the whole set of teeth a human being has, the so-called wisdom teeth are maybe the most problematic ones. Their special location makes them target for many problems, and require special care and treatment when an undesired condition affects them.
Here is a small introduction to some of these problems.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
The term “wisdom teeth” refers to both upper and lower third molars. They are the backmost dental pieces within your mouth, and the last ones to emerge, typically on a person late teen years, or even at their early twenties.
There are 4 wisdom teeth in a complete adult dentition set.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth So Problematic?
Wisdom teeth are not problematic per-se, but problems arise when there is not an adequate structure to support them.
People with small jaws are most likely to develop wisdom teeth problems, because of the lack of physical room to let it grow freely.
What Problems Are Associated To Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth appear later than the rest, which means that there may not be enough room within the mouth for them. As a result, a wisdom tooth must “fight” to get space, and sometimes it gets stuck against a second molar, which holds it below the jawline and totally or partially beneath the gums. This is known as “impacted wisdom teeth”, and may cause inflammation, pain due to the pressure between both teeth, and infection, if it’s partially hidden. In many people, however, the wisdom tooth just stops growing there, so they don’t press against or damage the second molar, and nothing happens.
Regardless of the pressure applied against the other tooth, if a wisdom tooth gets partially out and then stops emerging, then a condition called pericoronitis (peri=outside; coron= crown; -itis= swelling) may happen. Pericoronitis is due to plaque, bacteria, food and other elements getting stuck under the partially-penetrated gum, causing infection that leads to swelling, tenderness and pain.
The growth of infection is worsened by the fact that a wisdom tooth is far behind inside the mouth, thus making it difficult to clean properly. If a wisdom tooth gets cavities, gingivitis or infections, then the second and first molars are very likely to be affected as well.
A wisdom tooth that comes out the wrong way can also cause problems. For instance, if a wisdom tooth is slightly inclined towards the tongue, there may be friction and damage to the tongue during its normal use.
What’s The Treatment For Wisdom Teeth Problems?
The treatment consists on the removal of the wisdom tooth that is causing the problem.
The extraction should be correctly assessed, and any infection must be healed before removal. The extraction should not be performed if there isn’t a condition that needs fixing, i.e. if a wisdom tooth just remains hidden but doesn’t cause pain or discomfort then it should be left untreated.
Sometimes extraction of a wisdom tooth may require a minor surgery, and it’s not uncommon to get stitches after the procedure.
Wisdom teeth extractions have fewer problems if performed before the tooth has stopped growing, so it is important to check with your dentist as soon as discomfort appears.
Many people have no problems with their wisdom teeth in their entire life, but it’s useful to know about those problems, just in case. We hope this article helped you.
See you later!
Where Do Cavities Come From?
August 11, 2008
Everybody knows that cavities are the most common condition affecting a mouth’s health. However, many are unaware of the true causes of this disease. This article is intended to clarify some points.
What Are Cavities?
Cavities, also known as “tooth decay”, are small holes on the surface of teeth, which progressively go deeper into the inner parts and, eventually, lead to tooth pain.
Cavities present on the surface of the front teeth are visible at plain sight, but most cavities are located on non-visible areas, and are noticed when they start causing sensitivity or pain. A dental professional can locate cavities before they are painful, therefore it’s very important to check with a dentist or dental hygienist regularly.
What Causes Cavities?
Cavities are the result of certain bacteria, known as “sugar bugs” because they feed on sugar. Upon finding sugar particles, these bacteria release certain enzymes that chemically break its molecular structure, turning the sugar into more simple elements that the bacteria can consume. This chemical reaction leaves chemical residues that are strongly acid, and those acids damage a tooth’s enamel, causing the cavity. This small hole makes a perfect home to these and other acid-resistant bacteria, which grow and feed there, causing even more damage, thus enlarging the cavity.
It’s interesting to know that sugar bugs feed on refined sugar, but not on “natural” sugar; so eating candy increases the risk of developing cavities, but chewing a sugar cane does not.
How Can I Prevent Cavities?
Well, the obvious way to prevent cavities is to avoid all consumption of refined sugar, but this is not recommended, especially for kids: sugar is a very good source of energy, and kids need to include it in their diet. Besides… have you ever tried to prevent a kid from taking sugar? It’s just impossible.
So, the best “realistic” way to prevent cavities is a comprehensive brushing, good flossing and the use of mouthwashes, preferably alkaline-based. Even with all that, some sugar particles may remain, and some sugar bugs may hide from the mouthwash, so regular visits to a dental professional are recommended.
How Can I Get Rid Of Cavities?
Once tooth decay is there, the only way to stop it from getting worse is to fix the hole. Your dentist will clean the hole of any “garbage” that may be present there (food tends to get stuck in cavities, which causes bad breath and, in some cases, infection), then he/she will work the edges of the cavity with a small drill, to get rid of the bacteria living there. Once the hole is clean, your dentist will fill it with a special antibacterial product that will cover the cavity and prevent it from being infested by bacteria again.
If a cavity is too deep, to the point of having gone beyond the dentin and into the pulp chamber, then your dentist will need to apply a more radical treatment, such as root canal or extraction; but of course, if you keep good care of your mouth then you won’t have to face such an extreme situation.
Well, that’s all for now. See you soon!
Understanding Dental Abscesses
August 4, 2008
Of all the consequences of having a cavity, an abscess is perhaps the most painful one, usually requiring urgent assistance to deal with the sharp, very strong pain.
If you want to know what a dental abscess is, and how to prevent it from affecting your mouth, then you will this article useful.
What Is A Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is, plain and simply put, a small “bag” of pus located outside the tip of a tooth’s root. Teeth with more than one root (molars and some premolars) can develop more than one of these little bags.
The part of a tooth that is exposed and you use for chewing is the crown. It’s protected by a hard cover, the enamel.
When a cavity appears and manages to get deeper into the tooth, it successfully drills a hole in the enamel, exposing the inner part of the tooth, which is the dentin. As the cavity progresses, it eventually gets through the dentin and reaches the softer part of the tooth, the pulp.
The pulp contains soft tissue and many nerve terminals. This soft tissue is very prone to infection, and as food gets trapped in the cavity, the infection develops. Shortly after it begins, the infectious process takes the whole pulp tissue, which is in direct contact with the nerve; it causes extreme pain and discomfort.
After having affected the whole pulp, the infection expands into the root’s ends, and it ends up in a bag between the tip of the root and the surrounding jaw bone, pressing against the nerve. This is known as a periapical abscess, i.e. an infection from within the tooth’s pulp.
Alternatively, the infection can make its way without passing through the tooth’s core; it may come from under the gums or from surrounding tissues, and end up forming a bag of pus in the same place as a periapical infection. This is known as a periodontal abscess.
How Can I Cure Dental Abscesses?
A professional will assess your particular case, and he will give you instructions on how to deal with the infection.
The most obvious first step is to remove the infected pulp and tissues, and to clean the area of foreign elements, which your dentist can do. He will prescribe antibiotics if he thinks they are needed, and treat the damaged tooth once the infection has gone away.
Abscesses can be a very delicate issue, and require a separate evaluation for each case. No one can tell you how to deal with your particular case of abscess, except for your dentist.
Can I Prevent Dental Abscesses?
Yes, you can.
Observing good health’s practices and keeping a good mouth’s hygiene is the best way to prevent an abscess from ever affecting you. Visiting your dentist regularly, brushing thoroughly and using anti-bacterial products to clean your mouth are all essential steps to prevent infection.
Sadly, many people don’t visit a dental professional unless they are in pain, and by the time that happens there’s a high chance that the infection is already there.
Your teeth take care of feeding you, so you should take care of them properly.
See you in our next article!