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Build Stronger Teeth


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Build Stronger Teeth

Everyone knows the basics of good dental care. Brush your teeth after every meal, floss every day, see your dentist at least twice a year. It sounds simple. But what if you still don’t have strong, healthy teeth? Weak enamel can be a genetic weakness, or it can be caused by other conditions, like Celiac disease. I’ve always had weak enamel, so I started looking into ways that I could increase the strength of my teeth, and found that dietary changes could make a big difference. I started this blog to share my experience, and to talk about other ways you can make your teeth stronger and healthier. There are lots of things that you can do to improve your dental health. You just have to find them.

What The Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure Is Like

If you have a wisdom tooth that is bothering you, an oral surgeon can extract it for you. Typically this type of surgery can be done right in the oral surgeon's (or dentist's) office. Occasionally, it may be necessary to have it done in the hospital.

First, here are some reasons why you might want to get your wisdom teeth removed:

Reasons

  • Crowded back teeth: Your teeth could come in in strange positions that are unsightly or even painful.
  • A wisdom tooth that is stuck in your jaw and doesn't show through your gums: This can cause a sensitive flap of skin right above your wisdom tooth to become red and sensitive.
  • Pain in your gums due to a sensitive area around your wisdom tooth when it has only partly broken the gums: This can cause infections.
  • Gum disease or decay that requires wisdom teeth removal.

Here is what you can expect from the procedure:

Prep

Your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area around your tooth. If you are having multiple teeth taken out, you might receive a general anesthetic to numb more of your mouth. The general anesthetic protects you from pain all over and makes you go to sleep. You may need to avoid eating or drinking for a certain period before the removal if general anesthetic will be used.

The Surgery

The dentist will need to open the gum tissue surrounding your tooth in order to remove any bone that is covering your tooth. They will separate your bone from your tooth and then take out the tooth. They could also cut your tooth into smaller pieces to make it more efficient to remove.

After the Surgery

If necessary, they will stitch your gums back up. Many types of stitches will naturally dissolve and others may need to be removed days after being sewn. You might experience some gum swelling around your removed tooth socket. There will be bleeding that you'll want to stop with a gauze pad for a period after the surgery. Also, some of the numbness from the anesthesia may still affect your mouth for some time after the procedure.

There are many reasons you might want to get your wisdom teeth removed. If you speak with your dentist and decide it is a good idea, then plan accordingly. Take care of your mouth and be prepared for the events after your surgery.