Evergreen Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Wisdom Teeth Removal: How Late is Too Late?

Most dentists and oral surgeons suggest their patients have their wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible to avoid complications later in life. The ideal age for wisdom teeth removal is between 16 and 25, when the teeth are mature but haven’t yet erupted. However, many patients are hesitant to have their third molars removed if they are not causing any problems. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious oral health issues as they grow older. In addition, removing wisdom teeth becomes more difficult as you age.

impacted wisdom tooth xray

Increased Surgical Risks

Patients over 30 are more likely to experience surgical complications when wisdom teeth are removed. The teeth may be impacted and impinge on neighboring teeth, pushing them out of alignment or damaging them, leading to infection. As individuals age, the roots of wisdom teeth grow longer and may become entangled with nerve bundles in the jawbone. If this happens, nerve damage is likely, as are numbness and tingling. In rare cases, the jawbone may need to be cut away to remove the tooth.

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Dry Socket

dry socket pain

Most people do not have complications after wisdom teeth extraction, recovering in a few days and returning to their routine. However, occasionally a patient will develop a dry socket, a painful condition that is easily treated.

What is a Dry Socket?

A dry socket is painful inflammation and irritation of the empty tooth socket when exposed to air and debris. While anyone having a tooth extracted can develop a dry socket, it is more common after wisdom teeth removal. After tooth extraction, a blood clot forms where the tooth is extracted. The blood clot protects the exposed nerve endings and prevents inflammation that could cause intense pain.

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After Care: Dental Implants

Are you considering dental implants but are worried about the recovery time?

Don’t worry, we’re here to give you the facts!

The recovery time following dental implant surgery tends to vary but is usually based on the amount of teeth being implanted, whether or not a bone graft was needed and how well the individual manages his or her recovery. The science and technology behind dental implants have improved drastically over the last few years, improving post-surgery pain and comfort for patients.

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History of Wisdom Teeth

Why Do People Have Wisdom Teeth?

Most people need their wisdom teeth removed, so why do we have them in the first place? Here’s a quick history lesson on wisdom teeth and the important role they once played!

Wisdom teeth were once an extremely valuable asset to our ancestors. When a typical diet consisted of chewy plants and uncooked meat, third molars (wisdom teeth), which fit easily into our ancestors’ larger jaws, were absolutely necessary. Wisdom teeth were the evolutionary answer to the need for chewing power to combat excessive wear.
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Oral Cancer: Know the Signs


Did you know that mouth cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide? The sad truth is that oral cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women, and the fastest-growing group of oral cancer patients are young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals. Now is the time to be proactive and get yourself checked for oral cancer.

Remember—early detection saves lives! It is more important than ever for young adults, as well as older men and women, to get regular screenings whether they think they’re at risk or not.

What are the risks?

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Wisdom Teeth Aftercare

Having your impacted wisdom teeth removed is a serious surgical procedure, and post-operative care is extremely important! Read on for instructions on how to care for your sore mouth, and how to minimize unnecessary pain and complications.

Immediately Following Surgery:

Keep a firm, yet gentle, bite on the gauze packs that have been placed in your mouth to keep them in place. You can remove them after an hour if the bleeding is controlled. If the surgical area continues to bleed, place new gauze for another 30 to 45 minutes.

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How to Take Care of Your Dental Implant

Cleaning and taking care of your implant is just as important as cleaning your natural teeth. Here are some things you should know about caring for your implant.

Your implant and your natural teeth are similar because they both rely on healthy tissue for support! Just like with real teeth, plaque buildup can be harmful. It’s important to remove that plaque because it can develop into an infection. If the infection isn’t properly treated, it can result in a loss of bone around the implant which could progress to the loss of the implant itself. Read the rest of this entry »

Flossing: Absolutely Necessary!

Yes, You Still Have to Floss. No, the dance move “flossing” does not count. The AP recently released an article making the claim that “there’s little proof that flossing works”. Their review cited a series of studies that found flossing does little or nothing to improve oral health. Here’s the problem: the studies were flawed. The AP concluded that floss does little for oral health, but it’s important to note that the evidence they cited was very weak at best. In fact, they said so themselves.

As acknowledged by the AP, many of these studies were extremely short. “Some lasted only two weeks, far too brief for a cavity or dental disease to develop” (Associated Press). They also say that “One tested 25 people after only a single use of floss” (Associated Press). Read the rest of this entry »

Wisdom Teeth: Questions Answered

Wisdom-Teeth--Questions-Answered

If you or your child are getting your wisdom teeth removed, you must have questions! We are here to make you feel as comfortable as possible. As always, if you have other questions feel free to contact us. We are more than happy to help you understand more during your upcoming procedure. Read on for some frequently asked questions:

1. Why do we have Wisdom Teeth?

Centuries ago our human ancestors used wisdom teeth to help them grind up tough food, like leaves and roots. Their jaws were larger and had more room for extra molars. As we evolved, our diets changed to include softer foods. The third molars became unnecessary as our jaws became smaller.
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When Should You Consider Dental Implants?

considerimplants

Dental implants typically consist of three components: the post, the abutment, and the restoration. The post is a screw that is inserted into the bone. The abutment is attached to the post and the restoration is placed on top, giving the finished product a beautiful, realistic look.

Dental implants are an effective way to replace missing or damaged teeth, but when is getting a dental implant the best option for you? There are a few circumstances where receiving an implant might be the best option for improving your smile. Read the rest of this entry »