Wisdom Teeth – The Facts

wisdom teeth

Here are some of the facts that you should be aware of regarding wisdom teeth;

Wisdom Teeth – The Facts #1

Wisdom teeth are the last of the permanent teeth to erupt. They are also called third molars.

Widsom Teeth – The Facts #2

Wisdom teeth usually appear in the late teenage years or early twenties. Most people will have four wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth can be responsible for causing misalignment or crowding of the front teeth and for this reason some people opt to remove them.

Wisdom Teeth – The Facts #3

In some cases, wisdom teeth never erupt through the gums and are referred to as impacted wisdom teeth (or impacted third molars). Impacted wisdom teeth are typically blocked from erupting due to the positioning of other teeth. If wisdom teeth remain impacted, they can cause pain and inflammation and infection may occur. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth can cause damage to adjacent teeth. For these reasons, it is often necessary for individuals with impacted wisdom teeth to have them surgically removed. Your dentist can advise the most appropriate time for extraction – early is normally better than later, so don’t put your visit off it: is so much easier to remove wisdom teeth before the roots are fully formed and when the bone is “younger” and more flexible.

Wisdom Teeth – The Facts #4

Depending on your specific circumstances, wisdom teeth can be surgically extracted by your dentist in around 20 – 30 minutes. You’ll then need to spend some time under supervision in recovery as the sedation wears off.

If you have pain in the area of your wisdom teeth or are concerned that your wisdom teeth have not erupted call us, make an appointment with your dentist today to discover your treatment options.

Wisdom Teeth – The Facts on the Web:

See this great link from the Australian Dental Association on how Dentists in Australia might be taking out too many wisdom teeth unnecessarily – come to us we will give you good advice if you are concerned: https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Latest-News/Wisdom-teeth-To-remove-or-not-to-remove

And another from the American Dental Association: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/wisdom-teeth

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Handling A Dental Emergency

emergency red cross

Dental emergencies do happen. Despite being careful with your teeth, mishaps and accidents can happen. Therefore, it is important to be aware of some of the ways in which dental emergencies can be managed. Here are some tips on handling dental emergencies.

Injured tongue and lip

Like other oral tissue, the tongue and lips are very sensitive. When they are injured, controlling blood loss can be a tough job.

The first step is to relax and refrain from panic. Then, try the following:

  • rinse your mouth with lukewarm water
  • firmly hold a piece of cotton or gauze to the area that is injured to stem the bleeding
  • place an ice cube folded in a cloth on the affected area to alleviate pain and reduce swelling and bleeding
  • make a dental emergency appointment with your dentist

Toothache

An extreme toothache can be very painful. To reduce pain until you can see your dentist, try:

  • gently rinsing your mouth with lukewarm, salty water
  • flossing in the gap between the teeth that are hurting to make sure nothing is stuck that might be causing pain
  • using pain relief medication such as aspirin or paracetamol

In the case of severe pain, see your dentist urgently.

Loose crown or tooth cap

If your crown or tooth cap becomes loose or falls out, immediately:

  • wrap the loose crown in a tissue or other protective covering so that it remains safe
  • make a dental emergency appointment, even if you are not experiencing any pain

Broken tooth

In cases of a broken tooth, follow these steps:

  • immediately call your dentist
  • keep the broken pieces of the teeth as our dentist may need the pieces to mend the tooth
  • place an ice cube folded in a cloth on the affected area to alleviate pain and reduce swelling and bleeding

When you have experienced a dental emergency, it is important to ensure your teeth are checked by your dentist even if your pain subsides and your bleeding stops.

Call us immediately if you are experiencing a dental emergency

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Dental Crowns – More Protective Than Standard Fillings

dental crowns

Dental crowns have a reputation as being nothing more than an expensive filling. However, a dental crown is far more protective than a standard filling and can ensure the structural integrity of a tooth in ways that a standard filling cannot. Here’s why and when dentists will recommend the use of dental crowns.

Full coverage treatment

Dental crowns are designed to fit over the entirety of your tooth, providing an all-over protection. Alternatively, fillings are designed to protect a small part of your tooth, usually a spot where decay or other damage has put your tooth at risk of further deterioration.

Both dental crowns and fillings are useful for keeping your teeth healthy but the complete covering of the tooth involved with having a dental crown fitted means that they offer a special kind of protection to the tooth.

Cavity size and dental crowns

If you have a small amount of damage to your tooth, such as a small cavity, a filling may be the best option. However, if the cavity is large, a crown is likely to be a better solution. This is because a filling replaces the damaged piece of tooth, which is drilled away before the filling is placed. If too much tooth is decayed and needs to be removed by drilling, it can affect the structural stability of the remaining tooth. In these instances, a dental crown is recommended.

With a crown, there is no risk to the structure of the tooth because the entire tooth is encased inside the crown, protected from the force of chewing. The crown acts like a splint that holds the sides of the tooth together so that even if a large area is affected by decay, the structural integrity of the tooth can be maintained.

How your dentist decides which option is best

The first thing your dentist will consider when assessing whether a dental crown or filling is required is the size of the cavity in need of repair. If the cavity is small, the dentist will usually suggest a filling. If the cavity is large or on a part of the tooth that makes it difficult to treat without weakening the tooth, the dentist will likely suggest a dental crown.

Of course, a filling could be used in the instance of a larger cavity, but your dentist will assess the likelihood of problems occurring later should the tooth weaken. Your dentist will usually recommend the best treatment option to ensure long lasting protection for your teeth.

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Teeth Whitening For A Celebrity Smile

whitening

Teeth whitening is as easy as visiting your dentist. It is a simple treatment to lighten your teeth and remove stains or discoloration. It is a very popular and effective way to create a celebrity-style smile.

When is teeth whitening used?

Teeth whitening is used to treat extrinsic stains on teeth.

The outer layer of your tooth is called the enamel. The enamel helps to give your teeth their natural colour. If your enamel is too thin, the underlying dentin will show through. The enamel and the dentin can become stained from daily use. Some of the most common reasons for stains include drinking fluids with a dark colour, not taking care of your teeth properly and ageing. These types of stains are known as extrinsic stains.

Stains can also form on the inside of your tooth. These are known as intrinsic stains. They are caused from having too much fluoride as a child, taking tetracycline antibiotics and trauma. Teeth whitening will not treat intrinsic stains.

What method of bleaching do we use at the surgery?

There are two main types of tooth bleaching: in-office bleaching in the dental chair and the home bleach technique. After attending courses on the techniques involved, we do not believe that in office bleaching gives lasting whitening. As a result, we use only the home bleach technique which is normally less expensive.

What does treatment consist of?

At your initial visit we discuss the whitening process and procedure, taking impressions of your teeth and constructing custom-fitting soft, clear silicone bleach trays.

At your next visit we take a pre-treatment photograph and check the trays for fit. You will be shown how to use the bleach gel in the trays which is a simple procedure. The normal process is for you to wear these trays for seven to ten nights while you sleep (which don’t have to be consecutive). We also take a pre-treatment photo at that visit.
Three weeks later we review you on a complimentary visit and take a post-treatment photo and check your tooth colour to ensure that you have been happy with the results.

What to expect during and after whitening

After the procedure, you may feel some minor sensitivity throughout your mouth which will diminish. Provided you regularly brush, floss and attend dental appointments, your teeth should remain whitened for up to two years.

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