How To Detect Impacted Wisdom Teeth

People experience different symptoms of having impacted wisdom teeth. Some don’t even experience symptoms. To prevent complications and to ensure oral health, it is important to have these teeth removed. Here are some ways to detect impacted wisdom teeth:

Difficulty opening the mouth

Some people who experience this symptom feel as if their jaw is stuck and their mouth is unable to do its usual movement. If the mouth and jaw feel numb for a certain time, perhaps it is due to an impacted molar.

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Bad breath

There are many reasons a person may have halitosis. However, an impacted tooth can trap particles of food and hard to clean. This causes the growth of bacteria that may cause bad breath.

Metallic taste in a person’s mouth

Some people describe this symptom as if they can taste something metallic in their mouth. This is perhaps due swollen or bleeding gums that react to the wisdom tooth or teeth’s growth. This can worsen if the area around the impacted tooth becomes infected.

Sensitive teeth and gums

An erupted molar can affect other teeth and the gums as well. Gingivitis may be a common occurrence, but it can be a telling sign that a person may have impacted wisdom teeth especially when gums feel tender and bleed at the slightest brush.

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When one or two of these symptoms occur, it is best to seek the help of a dentist. While extraction might not be immediately suggested, a dentist can provide solutions to a patient to control the painful and uncomfortable symptoms before the operation.

Dr. John Pasqual, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, helps in rebuilding bone structure with minimal surgical intervention and optimal patient comfort. Visit this website to know more about his practice.

A Guide To Dental Implant Maintenance

Dental implants certainly improve a person’s smile and confidence. Here are some ways to keep these implants and the rest of the teeth healthy:

Brush regularly.

Dentists and dental hygienists cannot stress enough the importance of regular brushing. Even with implants, people are expected to brush three times a day to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

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Keep on flossing.

Dental implants are not prone to tooth decay but they are prone to stain and dirt that seep in the remote areas of the teeth. To prevent discoloration and infection in other teeth, flossing is the solution. For those who are not so fond of the threading floss, they can use water floss, a device that squirts water in the hard to reach areas. This tool prevents the buildup of dirt and keeps teeth looking clean.

Spend time in the dentist’s chair.

Dental implants can last up to twenty years. But this doesn’t mean that check-ups are no longer necessary. Going in for routine comprehensive cleaning will ensure the longevity and the quality of the implants. Dental hygienists also have better tools that will preserve not just the implants but all of the teeth.

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Maintaining oral health is a must whether or not a person is using dental implants. Having clean teeth can protect a person from periodontal diseases and other conditions.

As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, John Pasqual, DMD, PA,  is an expert in techniques designed to rebuild bone structure with minimal surgical intervention and optimal patient comfort. He also diagnoses and treats facial pain and facial injuries, among others. Visit this page for more information about his practice.

How To Know If You Are a Candidate For Dental Implants

Dental implant procedures have become one of the most common solutions to tooth loss; however, not everyone is fit to be fused with dental implants. What makes an ideal candidate for the surgical procedure?

Adequate bone support
Dental implants are fixed inside the mouth by fusing them with the jawbone. Insufficient bone density or growth can hinder the success of the dental procedure; this is also the reason children usually do not qualify. Those who do not have enough bone support can instead undergo bone grafts or mini-implants.

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Improved overall health
A dental implant is a surgical procedure, which is why the overall well-being of the patient is paramount. Those with heart conditions or sleep apnea are discouraged from having dental implants as anesthesia is involved in the process. Furthermore, patients who have diabetes, drink alcohol, or smoke encounter a lower success rate because of poor oral health associated with these conditions and addictions.

Healthy gums
Gum disease and infection affect the gums, bones, and ligaments attached to the teeth, which is the primary reason for adults losing their teeth. Poor gum health can also cause the failure of dental implants.

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No bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for the clenching or grinding of the teeth and jaw. While doing it infrequently may not cause lasting problems or symptoms, doing it persistently can not only result in jaw pain or discomfort but also reduce the success rate of the dental implant.
Dr. John Pasqual, DMD, PA, is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with years of expertise in conducting dental procedures, including dental implants. Read more about the procedure here.

Some Facts About Wisdom Teeth

Dental health means having a proper education about how teeth work behind the scenes. Not a few people are surprised to know a number of facts about wisdom teeth, for instance. Here are some of them:

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1. 
   
   Wisdom teeth are called such because they grow by the age of “wisdom”, during which most agree that a person forms an independent identity. Specifically, this is in the age of 17 to 25 years.
2. Normally, wisdom teeth can grow in each of the four quadrants, but there may be times when a person grows more than four wisdom teeth in his lifetime. These are called supernumerary teeth.
3. Wisdom teeth are not problematic teeth per se. However, these do cause problems for other teeth as they develop. This is when they are considered impacted, and so they need to be removed.
4. Not everybody grows wisdom teeth. A congenital condition called agenesis of the teeth, which is attributed to a particular gene, has been observed in nearly 100% of Mexicans. This is technically an indication of underdevelopment.
5. There is a huge risk in not having an impacted wisdom tooth removed. The crown of an impacted wisdom tooth is associated with a jaw cyst. When left untreated, a cyst can destroy the bone around it.
6. Not all wisdom teeth have to be removed. However, there is already an existing technology that can be used to predict whether or not a wisdom tooth will cause harm in the future. The best advice to be sought still comes from the world’s most advanced practitioners in dentistry.

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John Pasqual D.M.D., P.A. is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Follow this blog for the latest in dental surgery.