I am proud to say that I have all my own teeth at the age of 65. While that may not sound unusual to some people, everyone in my family who is my age or older wears dentures. I always tell people that that flossing is the key to good dental health. I have arthritis in my hands, but I don't let it keep me from flossing every day. My trick is to use those little "flossers" you can buy at the drug store. They have plastic handles floss stretched out on top of the handle. These make flossing easier on days when my arthritis is acting up. I started this blog to let other people know that they can keep their teeth healthy into old age when they take care of them. If you have hand pain, find ways to make flossing easier, like I did.
Don't Let Hand Pain Keep You from Flossing
Signs That Your Wisdom Teeth Should Be Extracted
Francis Miles
If you are an adult who still has their wisdom teeth, then you may be inclined to leave the teeth in your mouth. Some people can leave their wisdom teeth in place, and this may be advisable if your bite is normal and if the teeth cause you little discomfort. However, if you have any negative oral symptoms that involve the teeth, then it may be time to schedule a tooth removal with your dentist. There are several signs you should look for when deciding whether or not the removal should take place.
Clicking Jaw
The wisdom teeth are the third molars that come into the mouth last. The molars do not replace the baby teeth like the rest of the permanent teeth. They instead act as extra teeth that are meant to replace the first or second molars if these teeth fall out of the mouth. This used to be advantageous thousands of years ago when diets were hard and tough and when oral care was nonexistent. However, since humans no longer lose the molars due to wear and decay, the teeth are no longer useful. There also is not a lot of room in the mouth where the teeth can fit behind the second molars.
When the teeth come in and there is little room for them, the teeth end up sitting very close to the temporomandibular joints. When you bite, stress is placed on the joints and this can cause the joint to click. You may feel tightness in the jaw as well as some aching pain. This can result in temporomandibular misalignment and the formation of a condition called TMJ. In cases of extreme misalignment and the wearing of the cartilage in the joint, surgery may be required to fix the issue. However, the removal of the wisdom teeth may be enough to resolve the problem, so it is best to work with your dentist to have the teeth removed first.
Foul Smell From The Mouth
Sometimes the wisdom teeth only come into the mouth partially. If it seems like your only have two or three of the teeth, then it is very likely that the others are stuck underneath the gums and have been unable to erupt. When a tooth partially erupts, the gum tissues form over the top of the tooth and it appears as though you have no wisdom tooth at all in the region. You may also see just a small portion of the tooth as well and a section of the crown will be covered by gum tissues.
The tissues that cover the wisdom tooth either partially or fully is called an operculum. This flap of gum typically sits very close to the second molar, and food can become trapped between the tissues and the tooth. The food can start to break down once it gets stuck, and this can cause a foul odor. An infection called pericoronitis can develop as well as bacteria get stuck in the same area.
As the food breaks down and bacterial activity increases, an odor may be released into the mouth. This is a sign of a serious infection that will need to be treated. Antibiotics as well as the extraction of the teeth will help to resolve the issue. All of the wisdom teeth will typically be removed, even if you are having troubles with a single tooth. This helps to retain the proper bite symmetry in the mouth.
If you still have your wisdom teeth, then it is wise to watch the teeth closely for any signs of illness, decay, or distress. The teeth may need to be removed at some point, and it best to go through the extraction as soon as an issue is noted. Contact a clinic like Abbott Family Dentistry, LLC to learn more.
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