Useful Information About Wisdom Teeth

The Truth About Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are last in line in the back of the mouth. But not all of us have our wisdom teeth, for a variety of reasons.

For many people, wisdom teeth emerge from the jaw between the ages of 17 and 25 years, and they don’t cause problems. In other people, the wisdom teeth become impacted, which means that they are trapped within the jaw and unable to emerge. But that’s not always a bad thing. Impacted wisdom teeth often cause no symptoms or pain and stay within the jaw for life.

But in some cases, the impacted wisdom tooth does cause problems. You may experience redness and swelling around the area where the tooth is impacted as well as jaw pain, headaches, and a strange taste when you bite near the area of the impacted tooth.

As wisdom teeth try to emerge, they can push other teeth out of the way and interfere with orthodontic work. Also, partially emerged wisdom teeth can provide a breeding ground for bacteria, and bacterial buildup can lead to severe gum disease.

Even if impacted wisdom teeth are causing no symptoms, some dentists recommend removing them surgically to prevent the possibility of future problems. Fortunately, wisdom tooth extraction is a common outpatient procedure, performed under local anesthesia. As with any surgery, expect some residual bleeding, swelling and bruising in the first few days, and limit your activities. But most people recover quickly and easily.

Friday, May 15, 2015

How to Get Your Smile Ready for Wedding Season

05/11/2015

Dental Tips

by: Sandy Johnson, RDH

Now that wedding season is fast approaching, it’s time to be prepared for cameras and pictures at every turn. Is your smile up to the task? We have tips to get a picture-perfect smile for every occasion in the season.

Step 1: Brighten your pearly whites. This part’s easy—we have quick, one-hour teeth whitening available at your dentist’s office. If you can’t squeeze in a visit, try clinical strength at-home teeth whitening trays from your dentist instead.

Step 2: Choose flattering makeup colors. The right lipstick can make teeth instantly appear whiter. Bright red, cherry red, rosy pink, and bright berry colors are your best bet. Avoid lipsticks with blue undertones since they can bring out yellow in your teeth. Using bronzer can also help make teeth appear brighter.

Step 3: Strike a pose. First, relax your face. Then, smile gently, maintain good posture, put your head back and your drop your chin down slightly. It also helps to turn your head at a slight angle to the camera.

Step 4: Wipe stains away. If you’ve been drinking red wine, gently wipe away wine stains on your teeth and lips with a damp napkin before picture time.

Step 5: Practice. There’s no shame in practicing your smile in the mirror to feel more confident when cameras come out. Try breaking into a smile effortlessly to make it look natural. Also note what angles work best for you.

Don’t forget, a healthy smile is a beautiful smile! Make sure to schedule regular dentist visits to keep yours in the best shape.

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