jaw

Teeth Problems are a Result of our Jaws Changing

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An interesting article titled “Why We Have So Many Problems with Our Teeth” appeared in Scientific America written by By Peter S. Ungar (paleontologist and dental anthropologist) on April 1, 2020 (322, 4, 44-49). The article discusses how human jaws today are very different than that of our ancestors. In fact today our jaws can be consider underdeveloped due to less chewing that occurs and has kept our teeth from fitting properly into our mouths. The author states ” Nine in 10 people have teeth that are at least slightly misaligned, or maloccluded, and three quarters of us have wisdom teeth that do not have enough room to emerge properly. Simply put, our teeth do not fit in our jaws.” The author says that teeth no longer fit into jaws because human diets have changed over the years to use softer more processed foods … Read more

Should we Remove Wisdom Teeth Before Bone Disease Therapy?

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An interesting article titled “Pediatric-Antiresorptive Use: Should We Intervene on Third Molars Early?” written by Michael J. Cimba and et al. appears in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (vol. 79, pp. 1817−1818, 2021). The article seeks to address if oral surgeons should consider preventatively extracting wisdom teeth in children before they start bone disease therapy to prevent jawbone destruction. In the article the authors discuss how removing wisdom teeth that have not yet fully developed in children before they begin antiresorptive therapies may prevent them from developing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). MRONJ, a progressive death of the jawbone, is a side effect of antiresorptive therapy such as bisphosphonates and denosumab, which are drugs used to treat bone (osseous) diseases and cancer-related conditions. It is well known that dental extractions like removing wisdom teeth can increase the risk … Read more

Relatable Reasons Why Adults Should Consider Braces

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There are ample reasons for adults to get braces. Although people usually get braces during adolescent years, with changing times, many adults are opting for braces to straighten their teeth. Oral health may change unexpectedly, leading to teeth moving and causing dental issues. An adult may be uncomfortable with their smile or have trouble with oral hygiene because of the placement of your teeth. To put things in perspective, below are a few reasons adults may opt for braces: Affordable Treatment Options:Braces are one solution to numerous dental issues, including overbite, underbite, misalignment & even hypodontia. The best part about considering braces as an adult is that they are affordable. You may choose from traditional braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, or Invisalign according to your budget. These days, most dental practices offer flexible payment options that you can use to … Read more

9 Things You Should Stop Doing if You Have TMJ

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You might not know much about TMJ, but you use them a lot each time you chew, talk, or swallow. TMJ is temporomandibular joints that connect your jawbone to your skull. When something goes wrong with your jaw muscles and jaw joints because of overuse, jaw injury, or inflammation due to arthritis, TMJ disorders occur. If you have TMJ pain or disorders, you may have to undergo TMJ pain treatment. Your doctor will work with you to reduce your pain and improve the way your jaw functions. In this article, we’ll discuss the things you should stop doing if you have TMJ pain. By avoiding the following activities, you can reduce the stress on your temporomandibular joint and speed up the recovery process: 1. Avoid Clenching Your Teeth Clenching your teeth, also called bruxism,may occur while sleeping or during the day. … Read more

Making a bite: The problems behind dental occlusion analysed

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It’s a phrase that’s probably not an everyday term, but dental occlusion is something that affects a surprising amount of people. To put it in simple terms, it refers to the process where your teeth don’t fit together properly – your ‘bite’ just isn’t ‘right’. Fortunately, this is a condition which can be treated relatively simply. While a dentist will usually have to be spoken to first, there are occasions where something as simple as altering your diet can resolve the problem relatively quickly. As you might imagine, it’s a problem which can be caused by multiple issues. Speak to any Reading orthodontist and they would real off several possible reasons, as we take a look at four of the most common to get to the bottom of your bad bite. Cause #1 – Your teeth Unsurprisingly, there’s every chance … Read more