Wisdom Teeth

Exposing teeth to soft drinks, even for a short period of time, causes dental erosion—and prolonged exposure can lead to significant enamel loss. Root beer products, however, are non-carbonated and do not contain the acids that harm teeth, according to a study in the March/April 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the AGD’s clinical, peer-reviewed journal.  That might be something to consider during the next visit to the grocery store. Consumers often consider soft drinks to be harmless, believing that the only concern is sugar content. Most choose to consume “diet” drinks to alleviate this concern. However, diet drinks contain phosphoric acid and/or citric acid and still cause dental erosion—though considerably less than their sugared counterparts. “Drinking any type of soft drink poses risk to the health of your teeth,” says AGD spokesperson Kenton Ross, DMD, FAGD. Dr. Ross recommends that … Read more

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of problems, including numbness in the jaw and the tongue. However, this is uncommon. Impacted lower (mandibular) wisdom teeth are often very close to a large nerve (inferior alveolar nerve) that controls feeling (sensation) to the lower jaw, teeth and tongue. Treatment of impacted wisdom teeth typically involves their surgical removal (extraction). This procedure may cause temporary numbness in your jaws, tongue and teeth. However, numbness in the lower jaw and tongue before surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth is unusual and may indicate a problem that requires further evaluation. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth can be associated with cysts and tumors — usually noncancerous. Other types of growths also can occur in the jaw area and result in the symptoms you describe. Consult your dentist about the numbness you’re experiencing. A … Read more

Two molar teeth of around 63,400 years old show that Neanderthal predecessors of humans may have been dental hygiene fans, the Web site of newspaper El Pais reported on Tuesday.The teeth have “grooves formed by the passage of a pointed object, which confirms the use of a small stick for cleaning the mouth,” Paleontology Professor Juan Luis Asuarga told reporters, presenting an archaeological find in Madrid. The fossils, unearthed in Pinilla del Valle, are the first human examples found in the Madrid region in 25 years, the regional government’s culture department said. Neanderthals were predecessors of modern humans who inhabited much of Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia from about 125,000 to 30,000 years ago. “There are two (teeth), perfectly preserved, in which the wear and tear of a human of about 30 years old is perceptible,” a government … Read more

Most people think of a routine dental appointment as a checkup for cavities and an opportunity to get their teeth polished for a brighter smile. Indeed, those two items are standard. However, you can give your dental professional an A+ for competence if your dental visit goes beyond the basics. There is growing evidence that chronic bacterial infections of the mouth are linked to a number of life-threatening illnesses. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.” Periodontal disease is an infection, and all infections are dangerous. Researchers have found that mouth bacteria can be aspirated into the lung to cause respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia. Gum infections may make it more difficult for people who have … Read more

You understand that you need dental insurance. After all, it is an essential part of life, no different than any other medical coverage. And, despite the fact that you hate going to the dentist, you know that, one day, you may need more than a simple check-up. If an extensive amount of work is done, you need to find yourself covered. So, you need the right plan to suit your lifestyle. Often, businesses will cover dental insurance and offer plans to their employees. This is how the majority pays for their dental work so, below, we will explain the must common plans used to give you an idea of where to start: One: direct reimbursement plan. The most favored plan, this lets employees be reimbursed for any money they spend on dental care. If you have anything from a check-up … Read more