| During
the twenties the wisdom teeth often make their presence known and
many end up being removed. Gingivitis (gum
disease) may begin in the early stages, and you may not even notice.
During the thirties
gingivitis often progresses to the advanced form, periodontitis,
affecting the tissue surrounding the teeth and the underlying bone
structure. Gingivitis eventually leads to tooth loss.
Many of our patients
are interested in enhancing their smile and specific dental concerns
for Men and Women are addressed on this page. Wisdom
Teeth (The Third Molars)
Most people develop
the third set of molars, known as the wisdom teeth, which may have
already erupted or are beginning to erupt during this time. These
teeth grow on both sides of the mouth, uppers and lowers.
Some
people do not
have
all four
wisdom
teeth, or
have none.
The wisdom teeth
begin to form around age 9 and fully mature
by
the late teens
to
early twenties. By this time the jawbone has nearly reached it's
adult size, but
may not be large enough to hold the wisdom teeth. When that happens
these teeth become trapped in the bone (impacted), and then
grow wherever they
can. Some things that are commonly seen with these teeth:
- The tooth's crown
may only partially break through the gum, or the tooth may remain
completely in the bone, with roots that grow
haphazardly.
- One problem sometimes
seen is when the roots grow too close to a sinus cavity, leading
to sinus or ear problems.
- A wisdom
tooth may also grow
into an
adjacent tooth, leading
to crowding of the other teeth.
Normally, during the
late teenage years or early twenties, we will take a panographic radiograph
of the lower facial region, like the figure shown here. These X-rays
give us an overview of the condition of all of your teeth and clearly
show the position of the wisdom teeth.
Even when the wisdom
teeth erupt normally, gingivitis or gum problems can occur and often
times do. The wisdom teeth are so far back in our mouths that it is
very difficult to properly clean them. Plaque and bacteria get trapped
around the gums and under the gums causing very inflamed, bleedy and
even infectious problems.
We cannot always
predict if or when your
wisdom
teeth
will give you trouble, but
regular X-rays give us some indication. Since wisdom teeth
that are impacted or infected can cause damage to your mouth,
their removal at a younger age, before complications develop, may be
recommended
by your dentist.
This means easier extractions and a faster recovery time.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal (gum)
disease is the number one reason for early, unnecessary tooth
loss. Gum disease affects
75% of adults in North America at some point in their lives. The
earliest form of periodontal disease, gingivitis, can be treated
simply
and effectively. Gingivitis is sometimes observed as early as
the teen years. Two of the signs of gingivitis are red, swollen
gums and gums that bleed
when brushed
or flossed.
As periodontal
disease
progresses
further the infection in the gums spreads to the underlying
bone structure, resulting in the loss of supporting bone and gum
structure. If left untreated tooth loss can occur.
Links
have been established between periodontal disease and a number
of other medical conditions, such as heart disease, low weight
pre-term births and osteoporosis. There is much debate and ongoing
research into the cause and effect of these links. It is known
that bacteria and toxins present in infected gums can enter the
blood stream and travel to the various body tissues.
Click
here to read more about periodontal disease.
Enhance
Your Smile
Many of our patients
are interested in cosmetically enhancing their smiles. We can
help if you are not satisfied with your smile.
- If you have
stained, discolored or dull looking teeth we can professionally
whiten
your smile
in just a little over an hour or with a professional at-home
treatment.
- If you have
chipped, cracked or worn teeth, bonding, tooth-colored crowns
or veneers may
be the solution
for you.
- Gaps between
the teeth can be filled using bonding, crowns or veneers or
through orthodontics.
- Missing teeth
can be replaced with fixed
bridges or dental implants using materials that look
just like your other teeth.
- When restorations
are needed, or to replace existing metal restorations, you
may choose tooth-colored fillings, or all-porcelain inlays or
onlays.
Be
sure to discuss
your options to cosmetically enhance your smile with
your dentist.
Click
here to read more about our cosmetic services.
To read articles about enhancing
your smile through cosmetic dentistry from our newsletter archive
click on the title you are interested in:
Men
and The Dentist
Did you know that
most men change the oil in their cars more often than they visit
their dentist? Read tips to pursuade the men in your life to come
in
and see
us in our newsletter archive. Dad! Get A Dentist!
Women
and Dental Care
Hormones
can effect your oral health and cause dental problems. Women
are particularly susceptible to periodontal disease during puberty,
menopause and menstration. Special care may
be needed during pregnancy, after the birth of a child,
and while using oral contaceptives. And many people, especially
women during child-bearing years, suffer from pain or tenderness
in the jaw.
Pregnancy. It is not a
mistake to visit your dentist during pregnancy. This is a
time when gingivitis
is common and professional cleanings are important. Be sure
to maintain good oral hygiene and your regular hygiene visits.
Please inform us that
you are pregnant, so that we adjust our treatment accordingly.
Read more about
oral health during pregnancy. After
Giving Birth. An increase in progesterone after the birth of a child
can cause your gums
to bleed during brushing or flossing. Be carefule about bacterial
infections.
Oral
Contraceptives. During
the use of oral contraceptives, which contain synthetic hormones,
existing oral problems can be highlighted,
gingivitis may occur or you may notice a reduction in the
amount of saliva produced in the mouth. Please
be sure to discuss any concerns you may have with your dentist.
TMJ. Millions
of women of childbearing age (and some men) have a tenderness
in their jaw joint called Temporomandibular
(Jaw)
Joint Disorder
(TMJ). A link has been established between female hormones and
TMJ.
Read more
about women's oral health in our newsletter archive. Women's
Oral Health
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