How to Prepare for Wisdom Teeth Extraction

A majority of people begin to grow wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 24. For some people, there are no complications, but in others the wisdom teeth never erupt. This can lead to swelling, gum ulcers and pain. If the wisdom tooth is impacted (stuck pressing up against another tooth) it can damage the other tooth or the jawbone. If you are one of the many people who have this problem, oral surgery to remove the wisdom teeth is recommended.

Because the word “surgery” can be a frightening one, you may feel anxious about proceeding, but with a little preparation you can go into your surgery feeling confident about the procedure and your recovery.

Timing is everything, and this applies to your oral surgery date. Allow yourself time to recover by scheduling your appointment on a Thursday or Friday so you can have the weekend to rest and recuperate.

Because you won’t want to leave the house during your recovery, be sure to go to the grocery store beforehand to stock up on soft foods such as yogurt, gelatin, cottage cheese, applesauce or pudding. Soups are good choices if they are served warm, not hot. Avoid foods that require a lot of chewing or that are crunchy.

Set up an area in your home where you can be restful. You won’t be sleeping the entire weekend, so get some movies, games and books to keep handy for entertainment. You might be in some discomfort in the days following your procedure, so it’s good to stay distracted.

You will need to have someone you trust to drive you to and from your dental appointment and to see that you get any prescriptions you require. Be sure to keep your medicine – antibiotics or painkillers – handy as you rest so you won’t have to get out of bed to find them. Wearing comfortable clothes to your appointment means that you can get right into bed when you get home.

Talk to Dr. Dr. Yolanda Cruz before your wisdom tooth surgery to see what other recommendations he may have for you and your particular needs.

 

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Why Dental Implants Might Fail

Statistically, dental implants have a low failure rate of only 5-10 percent. It is possible for a patient who has had multiple implants placed to have all but one implant be successful. Although rare, there are several situations that exist in which a dental implant may suffer from failure:

  • Bacteria in the jawbone that is present but undetected can be unleashed when the implant is screwed into the bone. The tissue surrounding the bacteria-infested implant will eventually become inflamed and infected, preventing the implant from healing properly and causing it to fail.
  • Even though implants are made of metal (usually titanium), it is possible for the post to bend or even break. A dental implant that has been contaminated at the factory where they are made or in the dentist’s office can also be the cause of implant rejection.
  • Poor oral hygiene or neglect of aftercare instructions can cause dental implant failure.
  • A poorly placed dental implant can be disturbed by your biting motion, causing aggravation that leads to failure.

Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions for aftercare and follow-up after the dental implant procedure. It is critical to the success of your implant that you follow your dentist’s instructions. Whatever the cause, dental implant failure is likely to present itself shortly after the implant is placed. If you experience excessive discomfort, bleeding, or swelling beyond what is expected, you should contact your dental professional immediately. Once the cause of failure has been determined and treated, you should be able to have the implant replaced.

 

 

Trading Your Dentures in for Dental Implants

After suffering tooth loss for any reason, it’s important to restore your mouth’s function and appearance with restoration options through your dentist. In the past, many patients have gotten dentures for this purpose. Dental implants provide a newer and very popular option. If you already have dentures but aren’t completely satisfied with them, is it possible to change to dental implants instead?

The answer is yes! Of course, you need to consult your dentist to make sure that you are a good candidate for implants. There are a number of reasons that denture wearers might decide that implants are a better solution to their tooth replacement needs. Some patients find dentures to be uncomfortable because they don’t stay in place securely or they irritate the gums. Some find a more permanent remedy to be more appealing than dentures, and implants do provide a long-lasting solution to tooth loss. If patients with dentures don’t like them and aren’t wearing them consistently, they aren’t achieving the goal of restoration.

There are some additional complications that can occur with dentures, making implants more appealing. Trouble speaking and eating is a hazard if the dentures slip, as well as jawbone loss and increased wrinkles. Some patients even alter their diets due to problems eating certain foods. The increased dental hygiene regimen also bothers some patients who are unwilling to do the extra tasks required.

If you dislike your dentures, consider making the switch to dental implants. It might restore your self-confidence as well as your mouth’s function and appearance.

 

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Expectations During Recovery From Oral Surgery

Are you or someone you love about to undergo oral surgery? If so, be sure you know how to get the most from your recovery time to speed healing and to prevent complications.

During your procedure, you received some type of anesthesia. Recovering from the anesthesia is part of your surgery after-care. You may feel sleepy or confused. You are not able to drive yourself home and the dentist’s office won’t let you try. You will need a designated driver – someone you trust completely – to drive you home. This person will listen to any last-minute instructions from the oral surgeon and pick up any prescribed medication.

When you are home, it’s vital that you rest and relax. If you plan ahead, you can wear pajama-type clothing to the surgery, allowing you to slip into bed and begin resting immediately. Sleep is the best thing you can do for your body as it heals. Do not plan any activities for the first 48 hours following your surgery and do not lift anything heavy during recovery.

Take your pain medication as prescribed. Don’t wait to take it until you are in pain; try for some “overlap” between pills to ensure you are comfortable. Under no circumstances are you to attempt to drive while you are taking your pain medication. Don’t do anything important – like talk to your boss or write an email to your child’s school – because you can’t be certain what you might say while under the influence of the medication.

Eat only soft foods that are neither too hot nor too cold. Don’t eat crunchy or hard foods for up to six weeks following your surgery. Don’t consume alcohol at all while you are taking pain medicine – this could be life-threatening! Don’t drink from a straw during recovery, and don’t smoke.

To ensure a comfortable and successful recovery, follow these simple guidelines. The faster you heal, the faster you can get back to your normal life routines. Talk to our oral surgeon in Toronto if you have any questions about how you can best recover from oral surgery.

Teeth Whitening Options

A brighter smile can make a big difference in your appearance. There are lots of choices today for improving your tooth color.

Here are details about some of the options so you can decide which way you may want to whiten your smile.

Eliminating the need
One way to eliminate the need for teeth whitening is to avoid foods and drinks that are known to cause stains. These include items like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and curry. If you do consume foods that stain, try to brush your teeth as soon as possible before stains can attach to your teeth.

Whitening at home
There are many products available at your drugstore to help you brighten your smile at home. Whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes are two types of options, although it can take a while to see results from these methods. Whitening strips are a popular choice, which are covered in a bleaching solution and attached to the fronts of your teeth. Depending on the brand and strength, they might be in place from 5 to 30 minutes daily for a week or two in order to achieve the desired results. Overuse of these strips can increase teeth sensitivity, so be careful not to use them too often.

Professional whitening
Whitening procedures performed at your dentist’s office are usually the fastest and most effective way to spruce up your smile. Custom trays filled with a higher strength bleaching gel may be made to be worn either in the office or at home later. Another method that must be administered in the office involves a bleaching agent applied to your teeth’s surface and then a bright light to speed up the process. You can typically expect dramatic results from this type of professional whitening.

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Saving a Tooth with a Root Canal

It is better to save a damaged or diseased tooth than to replace it with an artificial one or to leave a hole in your smile. Trauma, deep cavities, breaks, or gum disease are all reasons you might end up with infection inside your tooth. If not treated in time, an infection can mean the end for your tooth. A root canal is a procedure that can come to the rescue.

A tooth has several parts: the crown, dentin, and the pulp. The outer visible part is the crown, which is made of enamel and allows you to chew food. Dentin is beneath the tooth’s surface and contains nerves. The deepest layer within the dentin holds the roots and pulp of the tooth, which nourishes the teeth. The sensitive pulp can become infected if there is a crack or cavity that provides germs access. If your tooth’s pulp gets infected, decay occurs quickly and will likely cause swelling and pain. The nerves in your tooth will become more sensitive with decay, especially when exposed to hot or cold items.

See your dentist as soon as you suspect you have a tooth problem. After examination and X-rays to identify the issue, your dentist may say a root canal is your best option. The process of a root canal involves deadening the area and drilling through the enamel into the dentin. The infected pulp will be removed with a special instrument, and then a rubber filling will replace the decayed pulp. Sometimes the tooth’s surface is damaged during the root canal, and may be replaced with an artificial crown if needed.

After a root canal, you should practice good oral hygiene to protect your teeth from future infection or decay. Maintaining regular checkups with your dentist is also an important aspect of your oral health.

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