When your wisdom teeth start to emerge it can definitely be painful, but it can be even worse if your wisdom teeth become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth are trying to erupt but are unable to do so because there is not sufficient room for them to emerge. This usually means that your wisdom teeth are painfully lodged in your jawbone.

While you may not see any real signs of the emerging wisdom teeth when they are impacted, what you can’t see can still definitely hurt you. Some of the indicators of impacted wisdom teeth are listed below.

• Jaw Pain: Pain in the back of your jaw is a common indicator of impacted wisdom teeth. The pain often concentrates in the area around your gums.
• Changes in the Mouth: You may notice some changes in your mouth when you have impacted wisdom teeth. Reddish gums, swelling in the jaw, bleeding gums, and bad breath can all be indicators that you are dealing with impacted wisdom teeth.
• Headaches: If you suddenly start having headaches, especially at the same time as some of the other issues mentioned above, they may indicate impacted wisdom teeth.
• Chewing Issues: Problems with chewing normally can indicate impacted wisdom teeth. If you are having trouble making the chewing motions because your mouth won’t quite open and close as easily as it used to, impacted wisdom teeth may be the culprit.

If you are suffering from impacted wisdom teeth, the best solution is usually going to be removal. This is not a problem that will resolve naturally, and in fact, your pain and other symptoms may worsen as your wisdom teeth become increasingly impacted. Dr. Idiculla can review the details of wisdom teeth removal surgery with you and help you determine if this is the best solution for your situation.

What are dental sealants?

Made of plastic, dental sealants applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect tooth enamel from decay-causing bacteria and acids. These sealants fit perfectly into the depression and groves (pits and fissures) of your children’s teeth, protecting them from decay.

When should dental sealants be applied?

Decay can begin early in life, so children should receive sealants on permanent molars as soon as they erupt – around age 6 for first molars and age 12 for second molars.

Will my insurance pay for sealants?

Dental insurance typically will pay for sealants for children and teenagers’ permanent molars.  Be sure to check with your dental insurance company about your plan, as coverage does vary.

Dental sealants are an excellent way to protect children’s teeth from tooth decay by coating them with a thin plastic material. Their teeth look and feel like normal, but they are protected from plaque build-up and decay early on. We recommend sealants as a preventive measure for children before any decay appears on their teeth.

Who should get dental sealants?

Dental sealants are intended for young children as soon as their first teeth come in. Decay is most common in the molars, so taking your child for sealants right when you see the molars grow in gives your child the best chance to fight tooth decay.

A child’s first set of permanent molars grow in between ages five and seven, while the second permanent molars come in between 11 and 14 years of age. Some teens and adults who don’t have tooth decay may get sealants as well, but it is less common.

How long do dental sealants last?

Once the sealant has been placed on the teeth, it is possible to last up to ten years. During your recare visit, we will check the sealant. Your recare visits should be twice a year. We will look at the sealant and determine if it needs to be replaced.

What is the process of getting sealants?

Applying sealants is a simple, pain-free procedure that is done quickly. There is absolutely no effect on the tooth structure from sealants.

The teeth are cleaned carefully, then dried with an absorbent material. A mild acid solution is applied to them to roughen them slightly. This is done so the sealant can bond properly to the teeth. Then the teeth are rinsed and dried, and the sealant material is painted on and dried with a curing light.

Molars are susceptible to decay early on, which is why sealants are an important treatment to get for your children’s first set of teeth.

We know that just about anyone who has taken on the challenge of planning their own wedding could tell you how important the little details can be. Things like having complementary colors, the right location, beautiful flowers, and delicious food are all a big part of planning your wedding. Another detail that has a big “I do” related role? “Your smile”.

Whether you’re the bride, the groom or an attendant, looking your best when you tie the knot (or help someone tie the knot) is essential. If your teeth aren’t ready to make an entrance, turning to one of the many available teeth whitening solutions is a great option.

Before the wedding day arrives, you should take your smile into consideration. If diet and daily wear-and-tear have caused your teeth to lose their original luster, our team can help! In-office procedures do cost more than kits you use at home, but with an in-office treatment, you benefit from a professional taking proper care of your teeth. In addition, relying on our office to handle teeth whitening before the wedding can give you access to trustworthy advice on how to keep your teeth looking their best for a longer period of time. It’s common for someone experienced in assisting people with their oral health to suggest investing in an in-office whitening technique and then following up with a teeth-whitening kit at home.

Take the time to bring out your most beautiful smile before the big day. Don’t let your smile hold you back on your wedding. With our in-office teeth whitening, you can be sure that you’ll be more confident and comfortable.

Accidents happen all the time and not all of them require immediate care. If you have an injury to your teeth, mouth or jaw, you should see your dentist right away. Here are just a few common ones:

Broken Tooth- Save any pieces of the broken tooth and rinse your mouth out with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the area to decrease swelling and pain until you can be seen by your dentist.

Broken Jaw- Apply cold compress to limit the swelling and see your dentist right away.

Knocked out Tooth- Gently rinse off the knocked out tooth without removing any attached tissue. If possible, hold the tooth in place in the socket. Otherwise, place the tooth in a glass of milk and get to your dentist right away.

Something is stuck in your Teeth- Carefully try to remove the object with dental floss (do not use a sharp instrument). If you are unable to dislodge the object with dental floss, contact your dentist.

Toothache- Rinse your mouth out with warm water. then try to floss the area to make sure there isn’t any food or other debris causing the pain. If the pain persists, call your dentist.

Lost Dental Filling or Dental Crown- For fillings, seal the area with a piece of sugarless gum or over the counter dental cement. If your crown came loose or fell out, try to put it back into place with dental cement. If that doesn’t work, contact your dentist.

Dental Abscess- If you notice a painful, pimple-like swelling on your gums, rinse with salt water and immediately contact your dentist. Dental abscesses can lead to more serious infections if not properly treated.

An unclean night guard can harbor all kinds of bacteria, yeasts and molds. These microorganisms can, cause infections and promote tooth decay and gum disease. When you take your guard out in the morning, brush it with a soft toothbrush (use a different one than the one you use for your teeth) and some liquid antibacterial soap or dish detergent. These mild household cleaners work just as well as the soaking solutions marketed specifically for oral appliances. Use warm, never hot water because the heat can warp the guard and ruin it. Dry it thoroughly before putting it in its case. There is no point in putting a clean guard into a dirty case, so wash and dry the case as well. Before you put your guard back in your mouth, make sure to brush and floss your teeth,  otherwise you will be transferring thousands of microorganisms along with food debris and sugar from your mouth to your guard.

As you need routine checkups so does your nightguard. When you go in for regular exams and cleanings, always bring your guard along so your dentist can examine the fit and evaluate the wear and tear of the guard.

It can be unnerving to hear from your dentist that you are in need of restorative dental work, especially if you aren’t currently experiencing any pain. If the tooth isn’t causing you any day-to-day problems then why should you make dental treatment a priority? We get this question from patients all the time so we want to help you understand just how important it is to not postpone your dental treatment.

Dental Problems Get Worse With Time

The most important thing for you to understand is that the majority of dental problems only get worse with time. This means that even though you may not be in pain today, chances are good that you will eventually be in pain if you choose not to fix the problem.

All too often we get calls from patients who are in severe pain and need to be seen immediately only to learn that their pain could have been entirely prevented if they fixed the problem while it was still manageable.

Stages of Decay

Decay typically starts out very small. At first we will see a weakened part of your enamel which is our first indicator that there may be a problem with the tooth. With time, the decay works through the enamel and eventually will attack the dentin. If the decay is still left untreated, the decay will move into the pulp of the tooth, resulting in the need for a root canal, extraction, or an implant. If we catch the decay while it is still only affecting the enamel, we have a much better chance of keeping you out of pain altogether.

Objections to Treatment

The most common objections we hear from patients who need dental work are cost and fear. Our dental practice is empathetic to both.

Dental work is not always glamorous, so we understand that people don’t always want to spend their money on it. However, what inevitably ends up happening is that their problem gets worse, they find themselves in pain, and more expensive treatment is necessary to remedy the problem. Since they are in pain they have no time to make financial arrangements, they are instead forced to come up with their out-of-pocket expense on the spot. It is always better for our patients in the long run to choose the more preventative treatment option as to avoid an unforeseen financial obligation down the road.

When it comes to dental anxiety and dental fear, we have you covered. We offer nitrous-oxide for those who need a little extra help relaxing, and we do everything in our power to make you as comfortable as possible. 

Schedule An Appointment Today!

It’s normal to want to postpone your dental work, but the scary truth about postponing your dental treatment is that it will negatively affect the health of your mouth by doing so. If you are currently postponing work that your dentist recommended you receive, we want to encourage you to make the phone call today to setup your dental appointment. Your smile (and your checkbook) will thank you down the road!

Spring is finally here making many of us think about our spring-cleaning rituals. Do you think spring-cleaning is just for the house?

It’s also a perfect time to give your mouth a deep cleanse too! Here’s what to do:

• Take some time to brush your entire mouth. Many people only brush the front and back of their teeth. But this month, take the time to gently brush your roof, the insides of your cheeks, and your tongue. Remember: bacteria can end up anywhere in the mouth.

• Use a tongue scraper, which can remove more bacteria than a toothbrush. They are inexpensive and easy to use. With the rounded edge, gently scrape your tongue using a few strokes.

• If you use a manual toothbrush, consider upgrading to an electronic toothbrush. Studies show that electric toothbrushes remove more plaque and reduce gingivitis more effectively than manual brushes. Some electric toothbrushes even come with built in timers to help you brush for a full two minutes, and sensors that monitor how hard you’re brushing.
• While you’re clearing out closets and scrubbing the kitchen, don’t forget to make your mouth squeaky-clean, too. Schedule your routine cleaning appointment with our office to help maintain good dental health.

We know most of our patients enjoy a cup of coffee or two throughout the day. But what many of you don’t know is that coffee can be especially tough on your teeth because tannic acid (the substance that makes the dark color) etches into the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, staining your pearly whites and being generally detrimental to your smile. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, with more than 50 percent of people drinking a cup daily. Other foods and drinks such as wine, chocolate-flavored beverages, and soft drinks can all cause tooth enamel discolorations. A hot cup of Joe, however, goes one step farther: extreme temperature changes in your mouth can cause teeth to expand and contract. This allows stains to penetrate deep into the micro-cracks of your tooth enamel.

Additionally, caffeine is considered a diuretic, which means it causes the body to lose fluids. So when you enjoy coffee or any kind of caffeinated beverage, it slows the production of saliva and causes dry mouth, which can potentially lead to bad breath and even tooth decay.

If you just can’t make it through the day without a cup of java, we encourage you to consider these tips to help make sure your teeth stay in tip-top shape:

• Drink a glass of water with your coffee or rinse with a glass of water after every cup. Not only does it help neutralize and rinse away the acid left behind from the coffee, but it also helps replenish fluids drawn out of your body by caffeine.
• Chew gum after you drink coffee. Chewing gum will help keep your saliva production up and prevent dry mouth.
• Enjoy your beverage with a straw so that tannins don’t make contact with your front upper and lower teeth.
• Switch to decaf. Each cup of regular coffee you drink has an average of 110 milligrams of caffeine. Decaf has the same great taste with only two to 12 milligrams of caffeine.

Dr. Idiculla and our team also invite you to visit our office for whitening options. We can help bleach your teeth with proven and professional products. To learn more about whitening options available at Parkview Dental, please give us a call!

Many patients may be missing teeth because of dental problems they had in the past, or may be facing the prospect of losing teeth that cannot be saved to extraction. If you are in this situation, there are several restorative procedures we offer that may be able to fill the gap in your smile by providing a durable replacement. One of the treatments we offer is dental bridges, which, with the help of crowns, can replace several missing teeth in a row.

What is a Bridge?

A dental bridge can replace several teeth in a row. We can craft a bridge specifically for you that can fill the gap, so that you can avoid the dental health issues caused by missing teeth. In addition, we will create crowns for you, usually out of either porcelain or zirconia, which will be placed on the teeth surrounding the bridge. These abutment teeth will be reshaped so that the crowns will fit with the bridge snugly in the extra space.