One of the most frequently posed questions to a Jacksonville Florida dentist is, “Do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?” If you do just a little research, you will find conflicting information about whether or not wisdom teeth should be removed. So, here is a guide that will tell you everything you need to know about wisdom teeth.
What Are They?
Wisdom Teeth are the last set of teeth that humans grow, and they are the very last teeth in the jaw. A final set of molars, wisdom teeth usually sprout at the end of puberty. Most people’s wisdom teeth come in between the ages of 17 and 22.
The problem with wisdom teeth is that they are not really necessary. Like the appendix, they are an unnecessary part of the anatomy that is left over from earlier versions of human beings. Back before humans had tools to cut their food, they had to do an awful lot of chewing to digest their food. This required a bigger, stronger jaw that had room for wisdom teeth. However, now our jaw sizes have shrunk as the need to chew has drastically diminished. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth still exist.
The Problem With Wisdom Teeth
Because wisdom teeth were designed for the older, larger human jaw, they do not fit in the more recent, smaller jaws that we have. This means they often come in crooked or push into existing teeth. This can cause other teeth to go crooked, and it can lead to a lot of pain as well as infection.
Because of this, specialists in cosmetic dentistry in Florida sometimes recommend that everyone get their wisdom teeth removed when they come in. This has been the standard course of treatment for several decades.
However, new evidence shows that wisdom teeth removal may do more harm than good in some instances. The procedure can be very painful, and it can lead to complications such as infections. For some people with large jaws, the wisdom teeth will not have any kind of negative effect on the rest of their teeth. People like this can avoid the pain, expense and hassle of having their wisdom teeth removed.
It Helps
For the vast majority of patients, the removal of their wisdom teeth will be beneficial. Any professional of cosmetic dentistry in Florida can remove the wisdom teeth with a minimum of pain. Removing the wisdom teeth will ensure that they do not have a chance to overcrowd the jaw, which can lead to crooked teeth and excessive pain.
Also, if wisdom teeth are not removed, they can sometimes become infected. If this infection gets into the bloodstream, it can lead to life-threatening problems. Therefore, it is important for anyone who has wisdom teeth to get them checked by a Jacksonville Florida dentist. Even if your wisdom teeth have never given you any problems, you should check with a professional to be sure that they will not lead to any complications down the road.
You need your teeth for life. Take care of them by getting your wisdom teeth checked out. It could save you from a lot of pain, and it could even save your life.
David and Associates specializes in all aspects of dentistry including cosmetic, implants, whitening, basic care and Lumineers. We use the " Total Team Approach," which enables us to fix all your dental needs under one roof. Let one of our dental care specialists brighten your smile today.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Answers from Jacksonville Florida Dentists: “Does Bleaching Damage Your Teeth?”
Do a quick Google search and enter the words Jacksonville Florida dentist or cosmetic dentistry Florida, and it becomes clear David and Associates knows a thing or two in this sector. As cosmetic and implant dentistry experts in the Sunshine State, we are asked a myriad of questions by patients and prospective patients on a variety of topics. Yet one subject tends to stand out amongst the rest in terms of frequency and popularity—and that is teeth bleaching. It seems everyone wants to know how it works and, perhaps more importantly, “Will the process damage my teeth?”
In fact, teeth bleaching does not “damage” teeth. Often confused with “negative effects” of the process, teeth bleaching can sometimes heightens sensitivity in the gums and teeth while the process is occurring, however, the normal sensitivity range returns once whitening is completed. Contrary to popular myths circulating out there in the public sector, teeth bleaching causes no damage to the tooth structure, nor does it make the teeth weaker. The heightened sensitivity is simply what’s known as an “oxidation reaction” where electrons are exchanged.
Interestingly, the pursuit of super-white teeth dates back thousands of years – not just since the average public has been smitten by the look after sensationalized shows such as The Real Housewives Of… or Vegas Bad Girls made flashing sexy smiles all the rage. In fact, the National Museum of Dentistry has said ancient Greeks and early Renaissance Europeans applied mixtures and chemicals such as full-strength bleach to their teeth for the purpose of making them gleam. However, these legends also told of instances when the individuals would damage and lose their teeth in this ancient whitening procedure, and it may be from these annals of history that such rumors came to pass about damaged teeth from bleaching.
Fast-forward to circa 2000. Solutions such as teeth whitening strips found their way onto the market with a bleaching solution in a much safer and less-painful way than in Renaissance times, at least. Still, the question has been raised even in the midst of this phenomenon, “Do teeth whitening strips damage the teeth?” According to the American Dental Association (ADA), both over-the-counter and whitening products purchased from dental offices are “mostly safe and effective.” Some products are even eligible for the SDA Seal of Acceptance. There have been reports, though, of whitening agents in these strips causing gum irritation and tooth pain and/or sensitivity. What is paramount to consider in these situations is whether or not an individual patient’s teeth will respond to whitening strips or another method of bleaching. Dentists such as those practicing with David and Associates in Jacksonville can study tooth discoloration and recommend the most effective whitening path to take. Further, it has been established that gray and brown-tinged teeth often times won’t respond as well and sometimes not at all to whitening strips while yellow-stained tooth surfaces more often improve with bleaching.
But, studies of the effectiveness of whitening strips as a whole show that they do brighten and whiten smiles for most users, and at a cost ranging from less than $10 to about $30 for drugstore-branded whitening strips—and most well under $100 for strips sold through Jacksonville Florida dentist offices. Because whitening options are readily available, millions of individuals on a worldwide basis are “bleaching away” without worry. For more information on teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry in Florida, visit drjoeldavid.com.
In fact, teeth bleaching does not “damage” teeth. Often confused with “negative effects” of the process, teeth bleaching can sometimes heightens sensitivity in the gums and teeth while the process is occurring, however, the normal sensitivity range returns once whitening is completed. Contrary to popular myths circulating out there in the public sector, teeth bleaching causes no damage to the tooth structure, nor does it make the teeth weaker. The heightened sensitivity is simply what’s known as an “oxidation reaction” where electrons are exchanged.
Interestingly, the pursuit of super-white teeth dates back thousands of years – not just since the average public has been smitten by the look after sensationalized shows such as The Real Housewives Of… or Vegas Bad Girls made flashing sexy smiles all the rage. In fact, the National Museum of Dentistry has said ancient Greeks and early Renaissance Europeans applied mixtures and chemicals such as full-strength bleach to their teeth for the purpose of making them gleam. However, these legends also told of instances when the individuals would damage and lose their teeth in this ancient whitening procedure, and it may be from these annals of history that such rumors came to pass about damaged teeth from bleaching.
Fast-forward to circa 2000. Solutions such as teeth whitening strips found their way onto the market with a bleaching solution in a much safer and less-painful way than in Renaissance times, at least. Still, the question has been raised even in the midst of this phenomenon, “Do teeth whitening strips damage the teeth?” According to the American Dental Association (ADA), both over-the-counter and whitening products purchased from dental offices are “mostly safe and effective.” Some products are even eligible for the SDA Seal of Acceptance. There have been reports, though, of whitening agents in these strips causing gum irritation and tooth pain and/or sensitivity. What is paramount to consider in these situations is whether or not an individual patient’s teeth will respond to whitening strips or another method of bleaching. Dentists such as those practicing with David and Associates in Jacksonville can study tooth discoloration and recommend the most effective whitening path to take. Further, it has been established that gray and brown-tinged teeth often times won’t respond as well and sometimes not at all to whitening strips while yellow-stained tooth surfaces more often improve with bleaching.
But, studies of the effectiveness of whitening strips as a whole show that they do brighten and whiten smiles for most users, and at a cost ranging from less than $10 to about $30 for drugstore-branded whitening strips—and most well under $100 for strips sold through Jacksonville Florida dentist offices. Because whitening options are readily available, millions of individuals on a worldwide basis are “bleaching away” without worry. For more information on teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry in Florida, visit drjoeldavid.com.
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