All About 'Wisdom Teeth' Removal

All About 'Wisdom Teeth' Removal

The last teeth to develop and erupt into the jaws are called the third molars or the wisdom teeth. They usually appear between the ages of 14 to 24; although they can appear at a later age in some people. The average person's mouth will comfortably hold 28 teeth, so when the remaining four teeth start emerging, it can get a bit crowded in there.

In many people there is often insufficient space left in the mouth to accommodate them which results in pain, lots and lots of pain! The only solution to that pain is extraction of the tooth. But should you?

Should You Remove Your Wisdom Tooth?

If wisdom teeth are not visible, they are impacted (Hidden within the gums) or unable to erupt due to space and size limitations. Impacted (Hidden) teeth don't have enough room to grow and will lie beneath the gums, which may or may not be a problem.

Every one does not necessarily get four wisdom teeth, some may get less or none. However if the impacted teeth provide you the following troubles, they need to be removed.

• Pain

• Facial swelling

• Infection in the mouth
• Swelling of the gumline in the back of the mouth.

If Not Removed, What Problems I am Likely to Face?

If the problem tooth is not removed, one is likely to face the following problems:

• Bacteria and plaque build-up
• Cysts development
• Tumor development
• Infection
• Jaw and gum disease.

Position of the Wisdom teeth

The position of the wisdom teeth may vary depending upon the space available for it to erupt. It could be placed in the following different 4 positions..

The time duration required and the complexity of the case depends upon and varies with the position of the tooth .

How will the Surgery Take Place?

Teeth extraction usually is a relatively routine procedure. The operation is usually done under local anesthesia. This completely blocks pain from your gums and you will stay awake during the procedure or be offered a mild sedative.



The wisdom tooth will be removed in toto (single piece) / in 2-3 pieces depending upon its position .

What are the Complications?

The only complication is something called as the Dry Socket. It delays the normal healing process and results when the newly formed blood clot in the extraction site does not form correctly or is prematurely lost. A dry socket can delay the healing process by 2 to 3 months.

Will I Face Problems After Surgery?

After the tooth has been removed some patients face the following temporary problems:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Minor bleeding
• Minor swelling
• Numbness in your mouth and lips

Do I Need to Take Some Precaution After Surgery?

Here are a few precautions that you can take to make the surgery tolerable:

• Bite gently on the gauze pad / cotton periodically for 45 mins.
• Comfort the extraction site with Ice pack from the outside on the cheek on the side of the extracted wisdom tooth.
• Do not spit until the first 45 mins , till the gauze/cotton is placed. Take it in.
• Remove cotton after 45 mins.
• Do not gargle / rinse for a day.
• Do not suck on a straw. This could dislodge the blood clots and potentially cause dry socket.
• Avoid excessive mouth rinsing, which may interfere with blood clotting.
• Take cool liquid and a soft food diet.
• Avoid hot and hard food stuffs.
• Do not touch/irritate the extraction site.
• Take medication as prescribed by the doc.
• Continue to brush your teeth, but avoid the teeth directly neighboring the extracted tooth during the first 24 hours.
• Do not lie flat. This may prolong bleeding. Prop up your head with pillows.
• Relax after surgery. Physical activity may increase bleeding.
  

Although the procedure may get painful but once you get your wisdom teeth removed, you will notice a big improvement in your mouth and your health. You will restore your pain free beautiful smile back :)

Dr.Pooja Shah 

The Dental Checkup

The Dental Checkup

There are quite a few things in our body which don't receive attention from us at all. Poor teeth! They are there right in the mouth. You see them as often as you see your face in the mirror. They are indeed responsible for your beautiful smile and confidence. Other than once or twice a day customary superficial brushing, which is done more like fulfilling a formality, they seldom get our care and protection. They need to develop a sensitive cavity, or a throbbing pain, or a severe loss of outer enamel covering, for us to turn our attention to them. They deserve something much more than an emergency fire-fighting kind of care. Pain or no pain, cavity or otherwise, we need to visit our dentist periodically to take care of our teeth which assure us a good overall health.

 

 

Teeth and Oral Hygiene

How often we should visit the dentist ? The Answer is 'Every 6 months'. Our lifestyle and habits have a direct bearing on our dental health. The consumption of alcohol and tobacco, not only stain the teeth, but also cause gum diseases and periodontal dental diseases due to poor oral hygiene. The study released by the Indian Dental Association reveal that the bacteria found in the mouth which are associated with gum diseases may be linked to heart disease, artery blockage and stroke. Therefore regular dental checkups will help to keep the gums healthy and help in detecting the problems of gum, teeth, oral cancer and dental cavities well in advance.

Oral Dental Checkups

When we say oral dental checkup, we mean that visiting a dentist and have everything like, teeth, gum and the entire mouth cavity examined and checked regularly, so that problems, if any, can be detected at the earliest in a primitive stage. These checkups include:

1. 1. Cleaning and Polishing: This is done in order to remove tarter from the teeth using special instruments called a hand scaler or an ultrasonic dental instrument. Polishing is done with the help of a rotating rubber cup or brush for further cleaning and removal of stains.
   2. Education: Educating how to take care of the teeth will enable  maintaining healthy teeth and gum. It may include the right way of brushing and flossing the teeth.                                                             
   3. Examination: It mainly includes checking the teeth, gum and the mouth region. More intently, the dentist may examine the area between the teeth and the areas between teeth and gum. For further checkups orthodontists or periodontists may be referred.
   
   4. X-rays: A proper x-ray is taken by the dentist to look for decay, gum disease or any other dental problems.

                                                 

Key points to Remember at the Checkups

Dentists do know their jobs. Nevertheless if we are also aware of the procedure it can doubly ensure that nothing is left to chance. Some important points to remember when we go for dental checkup:

• It is important to check every concern and problem with the dentist, however small or insignificant they may appear to you.
• Make it a point to discuss every medical problem which has been diagnosed with the dentist.
• Discuss the medication, the dosage and the period under medication with the dentist, so that any anxiety over any dental or other medical problem can be taken into consideration.
• Do not hesitate to bring to notice of any small change or problem in your teeth or gum.

People with a high risk for dental problems need to visit their dentists more often like once in three to four months. These people who run a higher risk for dental problems are:

• Smokers,
• Diabetics,
• People with current gum diseases,
• People with weak responses to bacterial infection, and
• People who tend to develop cavities and scales more frequently.

Tips for Better Oral Health

• Brush your teeth both morning and night to keep the cavities at bay. The routine habit does not allow plaque to sit between your teeth. Daily flossing is very important because floss can reach spots which cannot be accessed by tooth brushes. This can totally check forming of plaque altogether.

• Brushing carelessly or inappropriately may result in hurting the gum and bad breath.
• food stuff with high sugars and aerated drinks greatly affect the oral health, therefore, you need to avoid them.
• Never use painkillers like aspirins for toothaches as they tend to burn the gum, increasing the pain further.
• Gargle with a mouth-wash regularly before bedtime.

The way to a good oral hygiene is very simple and easy to follow. Once these disciplines are imbibed, there may not be any deterioration, and the regular visits to the dentist can help in maintaining the good condition. Further these visits are mandatory to detect any irregularity or disorder at the earliest.

 

Dr.Pooja Shah

How To Deal With Sensitive Teeth

             How To Deal With Sensitive Teeth

There seems to be no "spice" in something which is very ordinary and common place just like the food at room temperature. Foods, either hot or cold, are actually what nurture our taste buds. Steaming soups, a hot cup of Bournvita, hot noodles on one hand and ice-cool dessert items like ice-creams, kheer, custard and pudding on the other hand, form the main attractions of our "dreamy" food wish-list. But what if, your teeth send out a negative feedback and you face an "entry barrier" for your foods? This is the most unfortunate situation faced by individuals who have sensitive teeth.

What Causes Teeth Sensitivity?

The wearing down of tooth enamel or the recession of the gum line cause stimulation of the cells within tubes situated in the dentin, which is under the protection of the gums and the enamel coating of the teeth.

But improper ways of brushing, tooth disease or cracking of tooth may lead to a reduction in the degree of this protection as a result of which heat begins to get transmitted to the tooth nerve through the microscopic pores in the dentin. Your teeth undergo expansion and contraction due to the consumption of hot and cold foods respectively. And this contributes towards the development of microscopic pores in the teeth in due course of time.Few causes of excessive wear of teeth are Harsh tooth brushing (applying alot of pressure) , Habits (Chewing supari) ,Bruxism (Grinding / clencing of teeth ), Placing instruments /solids in between the teeth . All these must be avoided.

Tips to Deal with Teeth Sensitivity

• Use a Desensitizing Toothpaste: Some toothpastes, which are meant to control tartar formation, may contain abrasive ingredients, which may aggravate tooth sensitivity. People who have teeth sensitivity should switch to desensitizing toothpastes like Sensodyne ,Thermoseal -RA & Colgate sensitive etc. The ingredients of these toothpastes work by filling up the tubules of the dentin. You can also rub some amounts of these toothpastes on the sensitive areas before going to sleep. It will work overnight and your teeth will become less sensitive within a few weeks.
• Rinse With Fluoride Solutions: You can get a fluoride rinse from your local pharmacy. This will benefit you more if you have tooth decay problems. Using a fluoride rinse once a day by swishing it around in your mouth will help you reduce your tooth sensitivity.
• Maintain a Good Oral Hygiene: The plaque in the teeth synthesizes an acid which causes teeth irritation. Brush twice a day and especially before going to bed. Brushing after the meals will also help to prevent bacterial attacks. It's equally important to floss for at least once a day.
• Use a Toothbrush With Soft Bristles: The tooth enamel may get damaged if you brush with too much of pressure or if you use a brush with hard bristles. Use a soft toothbrush and clean your teeth via gentle up-and-down movements.
• Avoid the Consumption of Excessive Sugary or Acidic Foods: The dental enamel may get eroded due to the consumption of too much of sugary and acidic foods. And erosion of the teeth enamel will make your teeth exposed, thereby leading to their sensitivity. Use a straw while drinking acidic juices. This cuts down the degree of exposure of your teeth to acidic substances.

People who have actually gone through the pain or discomfort may only know what it feels like. If these home remedies fail to solve your issues, then it may be a high time for you to consult a dentist, without delay.Doc may help you to prevent more serious underlying issues like gum disease.

Dr.Pooja Shah.

 Learn How To Brush and Floss Your Teeth

The Correct Tooth Brushing Technique

The Perfect Tooth Brushing Technique ( Modified Bass Technique ) and Flossing Technique

Parents must teach their children the correct method of brushing :)

 

The angulation of the tooth brush bristles is important and must be noted

Tooth Decay - Causes n Prevention ( For Kids) !!

Why or How does Tooth Decay Occur?

Tooth decay and gum diseases are common problems for children and adults. Normal bacteria that live in the mouth can cause tooth decay and gum diseases while causing the teeth to become sensitive. The normal bacteria in the mouth use the sugar from the foods that we eat as their food and produce acid as a by-product. This acid destroys the tooth, causing decay and gum irritation (gingivitis).  As people get older, their gums recede and the roots get exposed. Now the decay occurs along the gum line. So, it is important to prevent dental problems before they start. Healthy habits related to oral hygiene and dietary practices should be introduced right from the childhood to ensure optimal oral health for a lifetime.

Tips to Prevent Tooth Decay and Gum Diseases in Children

Here are some tips to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases in children:

1. Washing Hands: Washing hands thoroughly is the first and the foremost step in infection control. This practice helps reduce the bacteria on the hands and prevents contamination.
2. Brushing Twice a Day: Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste removes plaque or the sticky film on teeth. Formation of plaque is the leading cause of tooth decay. The tongue should also be brushed without using any toothpaste. The toothbrush should be replaced after every one to three months or as soon as it shows wear.
3. Flossing Daily: Daily flossing helps remove plaque from between the teeth and under the gum line. This is important to prevent the hardening of plaque into tartar. Once tartar forms, it can only be removed through professional cleaning mechanisms. Flossing can be started by the age of four.
4. Rinsing: After brushing and flossing, the teeth should be rinsed properly for at least one minute.
5. Avoiding Sugary Foods: Children should be encouraged to eat a well balanced diet that limits the intake of starchy or sugary foods, which are mainly responsible for producing plaque. Eating these foods with the meal instead of being taken as individual snacks is a bit "healthy" as the extra saliva produced during a meal helps to rinse food from the mouth. Low fat milk and dairy products high in calcium will prove to be beneficial for a child's health during his growth stages.
6. Avoiding Binging: Frequent intake of snacks between the meals should be avoided, especially high-sugar snacks.
7. Drinking Fluoridated Water: Children should be served with fluoridated drinking water. If the option is not available from the water supply, then the dentist or the pediatrician should be consulted to find out a way.

8. Avoiding Sleeping with Baby Bottle: The child should not be allowed to sleep with a baby bottle of milk, juice, formula or other sweetened liquid. If they at all need a bottle, the same should be filled up with water.
9. Getting Supervised While Brushing: Kids who have crossed the age of 2 years will need to be supervised while they brush their teeth. Parents need to put a pea-sized dot of toothpaste on a soft-bristled brush and they should make sure to teach them to spit the toothpaste out! Swallowing too much of fluoride toothpaste can permanently stain teeth.
10. Brushing After Taking Medicines: If medicine is given to a child, then his teeth will need to be brushed afterward. The sugar found in some medicines can get converted into enamel-damaging acid.
11. Using Teething Ring During Teething: Teething is normally accompanied by pain. Under such a condition, a child should be allowed to chew on a clean teething ring, cool spoon or a cold wet washcloth. Rubbing the child's gums with a clean finger can also be tried.
12. Going for Regular Dental Checkups: Regular dental checkups and cleanings should be scheduled.

As a parent, you can come out with several innovative techniques to encourage your child to take care of his oral hygiene .