First of all, one need not worry so much about the third molars or more commonly known as wisdom teeth. Just like the other molars, they are part of our normal dentition. It has no relation to your wisdom… the most commonly asked question… “Will I lose my wisdom if the tooth is extracted?!” The answer obviously is NO! The reason why the third molar is called a wisdom tooth is because it erupts anywhere between the ages of 17-21 years… which is normally considered the age group when a person matures! Hence the name - wisdom tooth! J

Few of the common indications for a third molar extraction are-

1.      When the tooth erupts abnormally i.e. it is rotated in such a way that it pokes the inside of your cheeks or prevents the normal closure of your mouth.

2.      When the tooth erupts partially leading to development of infection around it.

3.      For orthodontic treatment.

4.      When it is badly decayed… beyond restoration.

5.      When the eruption of the wisdom teeth is causing displacement of teeth that have already erupted.

6.      When the tooth is growing wrongly into the bone, causing pain and discomfort.

Hence keeping this in mind… one should just make sure you take good care of your teeth, especially the wisdom tooth because of its location in the mouth… and go for an extraction only if it is really necessary!

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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As the saying goes… “Nothing lasts forever”.. Change is the only constant thing in the world.. And its true even for our teeth.. We all at some point come across dental problems and as we get older we tend to often lose teeth on the way.. But to ease the pain, we replace them with artificial substitutes.. But is that where the problem ends?  Not really…

The denture does replace the missing teeth.. but the underlying oral tissues including the bone is always undergoing a constant process of remodelling. This is a natural process and is enhanced by the application of masticatory forces on the tissues under the denture base. A denture is made of a stiff material that does not change its contour to adapt to the changes occuring beneath it in the oral tissues. Hence when fabricated, the denture may be a well fitted one.. but over the years it may not fit that well. This further adds to the list of dental problems because an ill-fitted denture when continued to be worn, can damage the underlying oral tissues.

Hence one should make sure to visit the dentist regurlarly i.e. once every year, to make sure that that the denture is still a well fitted one as well as replace them atleast in every 5 years!! Following these simple measures can help reduce a lot of complications…  

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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 Well as far as I know there are not many people who brush their teeth more than once a day… very few make an effort to brush twice.. especially at night, before going to bed!

Yet there are a few who take good care… sometimes way too much! Yes it is partially true that brushing too many times a day, with a toothbrush having hard bristles can abrade the enamel of your teeth… in turn reducing its strength.  Also the right brushing technique must be followed… Horizontal brushing technique- which is the most commonly used technique, is one of the major reasons helping the abrasion of the tooth structure… Instead one can use another technique in which you clean about three teeth at time… place the bristles partially on the tooth and partially on the gingiva (gums) and use small rotatory movements… followed my sweeping action away from the tooth. Children can be taught to use small rotatory movements to clean their teeth. Make sure you use a soft or an extra soft toothbrush to avoid extra forces on your teeth. Also use toothpaste instead of tooth powder as most of them contain extra amount of abrasives which can damage the tooth structure…

(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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I have come across many parents who don’t feel the need to treat their children’s ‘milk’ or primary teeth… This is because they are temporary and will be replaced by permanent ones! Lack of awareness & ignorance of the parent, results in painful experiences for their children…

Often parents approach a doctor of medicine, instead of a dentist to treat a painful tooth without realizing that medicines provide only temporary relief but not long term benefits. In my opinion parents should keep a regular check on the progress of their children’s teeth as they rarely complain of a problem unless its really painful. And by that time, the tooth has decayed to a great extent!

Infants cannot clean their own teeth.. and one cannot use a tooth brush on such infants with recently erupted teeth. Hence parents should use a soft cloth and clean such teeth after feeding them. Later on once the child grows up and starts brushing on their own.. parents should keep a regular check on the brushing technique used by the child and visit the dentist at least every six months..

If the decayed tooth isn’t treated on time, not only is it painful for the child, but it also has serious consequences in the long run.. If the tooth reaches a stage where it cannot be restored, it may have to be removed. Primary teeth act as natural space maintainers for the permanent successors i.e they prevent faulty eruption of the permanent teeth which leads to crowding and malalignment of the teeth. Not only does the faulty arrangement of teeth affect the aesthetics of the child, but it also hampers the masticatory function i.e. the chewing of the food. Malalignment can lead to food lodgement and make their teeth more prone to development of cavities! Also, everyone knows that having a good smile always helps build a person’s self confidence….

 If such a situation does arise where the teeth need to be extracted, the child needs to be given artificial space maintainers that help maintain that space. All this and more can be taken care off by the dentist, only if the parents show some concern and make sure their child visits the dentist regularly! 

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Normally it all starts with a severe tooth ache.. staring in the mirror for hours at the blackened tooth, trying to remove the food lodged in it..followed by lots of sleepless nights.. which ultimately leads to a forced visit to the dentist! The dentist examines the tooth.. while you shake in the chair.. fearing what he is going to do next with his weapon .. read “the drilling machine!”.. Finally when the dentist has finished his job and gives you the permission to go home.. phew!!  you are at peace! You are relieved its all over and now you don’t need to worry about the tooth.. That is where you go wrong!   

You need to be careful and take utmost care of the restored tooth too.. Getting the carious tooth or in common language.. the cavity filled or restored, does not permanently solve your problem. Especially if you are not going to take care of it. The restorative dental materials used, cannot match the superior strength of natural enamel and dentin.. Hence the restored tooth needs to be given extra attention and oral hygiene must be maintained really well..

There is always a possibility of secondary caries, i.e. decay to develop around the already restored tooth due to poor oral hygiene maintained by the patient. That is why a dentist always advises you to take proper care of the restored tooth. It is also important to go for at least a yearly check up to keep track of the progress of such teeth to help detect the problem in its early stages and avoid the painful complications!

There are various dental aids available in the market, that can help you take care of your restored teeth. Apart from cleaning such teeth with a regular tooth brush, it is also necessary for you to floss the area around it really well. Inter dental brushes are also easily available in the market. In case if part of the restoration cracks, chips, or breaks off.. don’t hesitate to visit your dentist. Many people avoid going to the dentist assuming that since its only a small part that has chipped off, they need not bother. Wrong again! You need to take care of it as soon as possible.. because this forms a path for new cavities to develop. Also if there are any sharp edges left behind by the chipped off restoration, it can irritate the surrounding structures and cause lot more problems and not to forget, a lot more pain. Hence one needs to visit a dentist as soon as any such complications arise!

My advice to everyone would be, dont live with the myth that “once restored need not be looked at ever again!” 

(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Scaling or professional dental cleaning of teeth is a procedure, which ensures maximum removal of food particles, plaque, calculus, tarter and stains from the all surfaces of teeth including those areas, which are not accessible with a regular toothbrush. It is extremely important to get this done every 6 months to maintain a good oral hygiene. In the few years of my work experience I have always come across patients with similar complaints that their teeth have become loose after scaling. This is true to a certain extent…. as the cleaning procedure has removed all the calculus and food particles that had wedged into the space between the tooth and the bone socket giving a false impression that the tooth is healthy and strong. But this is only a MYTH!!

The truth is that because of the poor oral hygiene maintained by the patient.. recession of the gingiva or more commonly known as the “gums” had occurred along with loss of the supporting bone, which led to the loosening of the tooth. The food particles had just taken their place….hence reducing the life of the tooth!! Scaling removes these harmful particles and helps restore the heath of the gums.. which ultimately results in non sensitive, strong & healthy teeth!!

And one more thing… scaling does not mean one does not have to brush their teeth! Sounds weird..??!! But there are patients who believe once u have got a dental clean up done .. you do not need to brush!! Brushing at least twice a day is equally or rather in my opinion even more important..!! Following this simple, non-painful procedure will definitely ensure very few visits to the “Scary Dentist”!!!

(4 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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