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!
Tooth Sensitivity
July 28, 2008
A sensitive tooth can be really annoying, as it can cause many different sensations, from a little discomfort to acute pain. In some cases, it can be as disabling and challenging as a severe case of tooth decay.
This article aims to help you understand tooth sensitivity and aid you in preventing this undesired condition.
What Is Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is a condition where a normal environmental agent, such as temperature or some flavors, triggers some degree of discomfort on one’s tooth. This discomfort can be from just a minor sensation, to a really sudden, sharp pain.
This condition is typically present when there are cavities, but sometimes tooth sensitivity presents itself without any visible sign of tooth decay.
Tooth sensitivity appears when the roots of one or more teeth are exposed, instead of being covered by the gums, as they should normally be. As these roots lack the protection of a resistant cover such as the enamel, foreign agents affect them directly.
Most common factors that trigger tooth sensitivity are hot or cold drinks or foods, and less common triggers are sweet, spicy or sour foods.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
There are a number of factors that can lead to the development of tooth sensitivity. Some of them include:
Certain types of foods and drinks – Foods containing a great deal of acids (such as tomatoes, oranges and other citrus fruits, coffee, tea, foods containing vinegar, etc.) may lead to tooth sensitivity when consumed regularly without taking appropriate measures to prevent those acids from damaging the tooth’s enamel.
Pre-existing conditions – Diseases and other conditions can cause tooth sensitivity. Gingivitis, periodontal disease, a cracked tooth and cavities are all conditions that can provide a direct path between the environment and the root and nerve, resulting in tooth sensitivity.
Poor hygiene – Directly related to the development and proliferation of diseases, a poor mouth hygiene provides an ideal environment for bacteria and other bugs to grow, damaging not only gums and teeth, but the whole mouth.
Certain human actions – Some hygienic actions can indeed do more harm than good. For instance, brushing too vigorously or using a hard brush can cause the gums to detach themselves from the teeth, exposing the roots. It also can scratch the enamel, leaving tiny marks where bacteria can live. Acid mouthwashes, as well as certain peroxide-based tooth whitening products, can lead to sensitivity. Additionally, some surgical procedures may cause temporary tooth sensitivity as a side effect.
How Can I Fight Tooth Sensitivity?
You can reduce the risk of developing tooth sensitivity, and also decrease the discomfort it causes if you already are affected, by keeping some simple tips in mind:
Clean your mouth the right way – Use only brushes with soft bristles, and do not brush too vigorously. It’s better to brush slowly and thoroughly for five minutes than brushing fast and strongly for three. Also, use non-acid mouthwashes, and avoid those which contain too much alcohol. Choose fluoridated toothpaste, there are some great products aimed specifically for fighting tooth sensitivity.
Don’t let acids get into action – If you eat a lot of citrus and other vegetables (you should, they are healthy!), or use a lot of vinegar on your meals, then never forget to bring your toothbrush with you. Brushing after a meal significantly reduces the chances of tooth sensitivity.
Visit your dentist regularly – A professional can asses your current mouth’s status and give you exact instructions on what to do.
Keeping these things in mind will help you fight this awful condition, decreasing tooth sensitivity and preventing pain and discomfort.
We hope this article was helpful to you. See you soon!
Know Your Teeth
July 21, 2008
A human being with his full set of teeth in its place has a total of 32 pieces. They are not all the same, but they have different shapes, different structures and are intended for different purposes. Some types of teeth are more prone to certain diseases than others, depending mostly on their location within the mouth.
Here is a brief description of human’s teeth, to help you understand more of them.
How Many Types Of Teeth Are There?
A complete adult teeth set contains four different types of teeth. This differentiation is made based on the number of roots, on the shape of the tooth, and on the specific purpose of each group.
Incissors – The incissors are also known as the front teeth, or cutting teeth. A complete adult dentition has a total of eight incissors. The four lower incissors are typically a little stronger then the upper ones. Incissors have single conical roots, flat surfaces and end in a sharp edge, suited for biting, chopping off and cutting the food. They are placed in the front of your mouth.
Canines – Canines are usually referred to as “fangs”, especially the upper ones. There are 4 canines in a complete adult set. They have a single conical root each, as well as a conical, pointed-edge crown. Both root and crown are larger than those of the rest of the teeth. Canines are designed to shred and tear the food, and are much stronger than other types of teeth. They are located next to the incissors.
Bicuspids – They are called premolars. There are eight premolars in a complete dentition. Their purpose is to chew food, mixing them with saliva to form a paste that can be easily swallowed and digested. They have a crown with two small pyramid-shaped protuberances (called cusps, hence the name “bicuspids”), and they may have either one or two roots. They are found in groups of two, next to and behind each canine tooth.
Molars – These are the backmost human teeth. They are located next to the premolars. A complete dentition has twelve molars, distributed in sets of three (the first molar being the one next to a premolar, and the third molar, also known as “wisdom tooth”, being the one in the back of the mouth, the last piece of the teeth set). Molars have 2 or four roots, and a flat surface ideal for grinding the food as a final step before swallowing.
Different Problems For Different Teeth
Although all teeth are basically affected by the same problems, their specific location inside the mouth sometimes makes them more exposed to certain problems than to others.
Incissors, for instance, are the frontmost teeth, and as such they are visible at plain sight, making any potential problem visually detectable. For this reason, cavities are much less seen on incissors than on other teeth, mainly because any anomaly can be detected and treated promptly.
Canines, on the other hand, have a greater incidence of breaks. This is because they are used to shred and tear, and their strength is sometimes “abused” by trying to deal with hard elements that don’t have much to do with feeding. It is not uncommon to see people that broke their canines trying to do things like taking a cork out of a bottle, or loosening a bolt!
Molars and premolars are the back of the mouth, which makes them are less visible at plain sight. It’s easy for cavities to remain undetected on them, until the pain appears. In addition, there are some problems associated to third molars, the “wisdom teeth”.
It is important to keep in mind that no matter on what tooth is a problem located; your dentist will be able to detect it before it becomes a painful issue. Visiting a dental professional on a regular basis is the smartest thing you can do to protect your teeth.
See you on our next article!