Now although most teenagers know that around the ages of 15 to 16 they might get their wisdom teeth out. In fact most do. But here is why you, your parents, and your orthodontist would decide to take them out. You should probably ask some questions if your orthodontist/dentist are just telling you to take your wisdom teeth out without any reason.
Reason 1: Your wisdom teeth grow in between the ages 14 – 17 (approximately) and when they do, they can grow in perpendicular, sideways and every which way (described in post Wisdom Teeth Part 1 in more detail). This is especially true if you have had orthodontic work done. After braces, headgear, bands and the whole shebang, your teeth are probably in totally different places then their “natural” places. Since your wisdom teeth don't know that the rest of your teeth moved, they start coming into the place they would have fit into. Usually right into their neighbor teeth.
Reason 2: Sometimes even if your wisdom teeth are coming in straight or only a little bit crooked, they can hurt excruciatingly. This is caused by the fact that when the top of the wisdom tooth comes in it exposes sensitive nerves in your mouth. These are very sensitive. This is a big reason why kids get their wisdom teeth out.
Reason 3: Another issue for wisdom teeth is having them grow in infected. This is caused by unhealthy gums that lift away from the tooth enough to let bacteria in and thus you get decay on your new teeth. This is called pericorontis. See this link for more information http://www.animated-teeth.com/wisdom_teeth/t2-wisdom-tooth-infections.htm.
This can also cause reason 2.
Well hopefully this helps you and clues you in on some reasons you could be getting your wisdom teeth removed. This came up because one of our friends got her wisdom teeth out and the orthodontist looked at her x-rays after wards and pointed out it wasn’t really necessary.
-Amanda and Erik
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Grinding Your Teeth
A common habit among kids, teens and even adults is to grind your teeth at night or during the day when they get nervous/stressed (Take a moment to think of whether or not you do this, and if you do, pay attention to this post!). This is definitely not something you want to do! The consequences for grinding include: a sore jaw in the morning, lack of decent sleep as this action will often wake you up, potentially sensitive teeth, and the worst part, the wearing away of the enamel on the top of your teeth. This is especially bad. Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth. When you grind this layer down it can, first off, make you way more prone to cavities, and second, grinding it down too far will expose the cluster of sensitive nerves in your teeth and you will be in a world of hurt!
Here are a couple of things you can do if you already grind your teeth and know it:
1. Wear a mouth guard at night. This is sort of like a big rubber retainer. You can fit it over your braces if you have braces, but it just protects the top of your teeth when you sleep. They make special ones for this problem.
2. Buy toothpaste that has enamel boosting effects. The goal is to try to strengthen the enamel you still have left.
In fact those two things are a good idea to do even if you don’t think you grind your teeth because a lot of people do so without even realizing it!
-Amanda and Erik
Here are a couple of things you can do if you already grind your teeth and know it:
1. Wear a mouth guard at night. This is sort of like a big rubber retainer. You can fit it over your braces if you have braces, but it just protects the top of your teeth when you sleep. They make special ones for this problem.
2. Buy toothpaste that has enamel boosting effects. The goal is to try to strengthen the enamel you still have left.
In fact those two things are a good idea to do even if you don’t think you grind your teeth because a lot of people do so without even realizing it!
-Amanda and Erik
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tooth Sensitivity
Sometimes one or a couple teeth will become sensitive to heat or cold. It usually hurts and is very uncomfortable when you eat or drink when this happens. It can last for days or just hours.
Some causes of this are getting your braces on. Your teeth will be extremely sensitive when you get your braces on. Another is if you slack on wearing your retainer and then wear it one night this can cause your teeth to become sensitive. Also eating really hot then really cold foods in succession can also do this. Sometimes if a previous filling has eroded away or if the roots of your teeth are exposed from unhealthy teeth, this can also be a reason.
Here are a couple things to do to minimize the pain:
1. Do not grind your teeth!
2. Try using special toothpaste designed to desensitize your teeth.
3. Go to the dentist to have your old fillings checked and get new ones if necessary
Sensitive teeth are very painful and chances are you have had them at some point. Hopefully this helps to take away the confusion.
Some causes of this are getting your braces on. Your teeth will be extremely sensitive when you get your braces on. Another is if you slack on wearing your retainer and then wear it one night this can cause your teeth to become sensitive. Also eating really hot then really cold foods in succession can also do this. Sometimes if a previous filling has eroded away or if the roots of your teeth are exposed from unhealthy teeth, this can also be a reason.
Here are a couple things to do to minimize the pain:
1. Do not grind your teeth!
2. Try using special toothpaste designed to desensitize your teeth.
3. Go to the dentist to have your old fillings checked and get new ones if necessary
Sensitive teeth are very painful and chances are you have had them at some point. Hopefully this helps to take away the confusion.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Retainer Update: Erik
Since the last post, Erik has since had an orthodontist checkup. Here is how it went down.
First I went in for the first time in six months (I have had my braces off for around that time too). My orthodontist said to put my retainers in. Then, he wiggled them around and took them on and off my teeth just to make sure that they fit snug, but they weren’t tight enough to indicate that my teeth were migrating back. Then he gave me the ol’ cheek stretchers (you will become very familiar with these if you get braces and they take a lot of pictures of your mouth) and took some pictures from all the usual angles (see post http://youandyourbraces.blogspot.com/2010/03/classic-checkup.html ).
Then he told me that since my teeth were staying in the proper place, I could reduce my retainer wearing time to after school till the beginning of school the next morning. Then we scheduled another appointment for 6 months later and at that point he said that, if all went well, I would probably be able to just wear my retainers at night!
That is a usual post braces check up. Just remember to bring your retainers to the appointment…
-Amanda and Erik
First I went in for the first time in six months (I have had my braces off for around that time too). My orthodontist said to put my retainers in. Then, he wiggled them around and took them on and off my teeth just to make sure that they fit snug, but they weren’t tight enough to indicate that my teeth were migrating back. Then he gave me the ol’ cheek stretchers (you will become very familiar with these if you get braces and they take a lot of pictures of your mouth) and took some pictures from all the usual angles (see post http://youandyourbraces.blogspot.com/2010/03/classic-checkup.html ).
Then he told me that since my teeth were staying in the proper place, I could reduce my retainer wearing time to after school till the beginning of school the next morning. Then we scheduled another appointment for 6 months later and at that point he said that, if all went well, I would probably be able to just wear my retainers at night!
That is a usual post braces check up. Just remember to bring your retainers to the appointment…
-Amanda and Erik
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)