This article, part 3 of 3, provides answers to some of the questions frequently asked about wisdom teeth, their emergence, extraction and post-operative care.

In this, the final installment of a three-part article series on wisdom teeth, we shall answer the last of the questions frequently asked of this experienced dentist in Pueblo.

Question: Is the surgery required for the extraction of wisdom teeth complicated? Does it hurt?

Pueblo Dentist’s Answer: Extracting wisdom teeth can be a very simple and straight-forward procedure, says the dentist in Pueblo. It all depends on the alignment of the teeth and whether they are impacted (partially or fully trapped beneath the neighboring molar) or not. The presence of infection and abscesses can also make surgical extraction somewhat trickier, which is why it is so important for patients to seek consistent and regular attention from the dentist in Pueblo. Potentially problematic wisdom teeth can readily be identified using X-ray imaging, which allows the dentist in Pueblo to schedule their extraction before the patient suffers unnecessary pain, discomfort and complication. During the procedure, patients will either be sedated and receive a local anesthetic, or they will undergo general anesthesia. This depends upon whether the surgery required for extraction is invasive or not. Either way, the use of anesthesia ensures that the procedure is completely painless while the dentist in Pueblo will help the patient feel as comfortable and anxiety-free as possible.

Question: What does the procedure for wisdom teeth removal involve?

Pueblo Dentist’s Answer: If the wisdom tooth is still encased in the jaw bone, then the dentist in Pueblo will make a small incision in the gum and remove the obstructing bone tissue. Frequently, the tooth is removed in small portions to make the operation as minimally traumatic on the surrounding tissue as possible. This lessens post-operative pain and discomfort for the patient, says the dentist in Pueblo. If the tooth has already emerged, then the extraction is straight-forward and can be completed in as little as five minutes per tooth. Remember, anesthesia and sedation are used to keep the patient completely comfortable and free from pain at all times, says the Pueblo dentist.

Question: What kind of post-procedural pain and discomfort can I expect after having my wisdom teeth removed? How do I care for it afterwards?

Pueblo Dentist’s Answer:

Post Operative Bleeding ~

There is usually a bit of bleeding from the sutured tooth sockets in the first 24 hours after having wisdom teeth removed, which is completely normal, says the dentist in Pueblo. This can be controlled by pressing some cotton gauze over the wound and biting down gently for around 45 minutes. The Pueblo dentist also urges patients to avoid rinsing, spitting and strong sucking actions (such as drinking through a straw). These actions may worsen the bleeding or even dislodge the clot, causing the wound to reopen.

Facial Swelling and Bruising ~

Facial swelling and bruising are also common for patients who have just undergone wisdom tooth extraction, says the dentist in Pueblo. Ice packs are given to patients to hold over their face and jaw during the ensuing days, and this reduces the pain as well as the swelling. Analgesics, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), will be prescribed by the dentist in Pueblo to manage any post-operative pain and discomfort. For more complicated cases involving more invasive surgery, stronger pain medications and antibiotics (in the case of infection) may be prescribed.

Diet and Oral Hygiene Care ~

On the day of the surgery, it is recommended by the dentist in Pueblo that patients stick to a liquid diet (soups and blended vegetables or fruit) until the effects of the anesthesia have dissipated. Only soft foods should be eaten in the days following surgery. This, says the dentist in Pueblo, will ensure that the healing tooth sockets are not re-opened or damaged. Avoid alcohol consumption too; it clashes with the pain medication and prolongs healing. Lastly, continue to brush your teeth! Just do so slowly and carefully, making sure to avoid the molars directly in front of the ex-wisdom teeth. Gargle with warm, salty water in the first few days following surgery. According to the dentist in Pueblo, many commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol and other chemicals that may irritate the surgical wounds.

Most importantly, if you have any questions or are worried about your recovery, don’t hesitate to contact your Pueblo dentist!

In our previous article post, courtesy of Pueblo dentists, Dr. Morgan and Dr. Rogers, we began answering some of the questions frequently asked about root canal therapy. “What is root canal therapy?”; “What necessitates it?”, and “Does the procedure hurt?” were all common concerns addressed in Part 1. In this article, the second installment of a three-part series, we shall continue to address more FAQs, beginning with an in-depth account of what having root canal therapy involves.

FAQ 4: What is the procedure involved in having root canal therapy?

Answer: When tissue in the rest of the body becomes infected or diseased, the body simply sloughs off the dead or affected cells and forms new ones, say Pueblo dentists. Your teeth, on the other hand, are incredibly unique structures in that the tissue inside them is completely encased by a hard and protective crown. This makes it impossible for the body to deal effectively with infection and disease. As a result, it is up to external intervention by skilled and qualified Pueblo dentists to repair the tooth if it is to be saved and the need for dental implants avoided.

The procedure involved here begins with the filing away of a portion of the tooth structure to expose its infected internal spaces (the pulp chamber and root canals). The Pueblo dentist, under the effects of a local or general anesthesia (depending upon the number of teeth requiring therapy and the complexity of the case) will completely remove the dead and infected pulp from the inside of the tooth. The canal areas are then carefully shaped and cleaned to render the risk of secondary infection at an absolute minimum. Your Pueblo dentist will finally fill and seal the canal space using exceptionally strong and impervious dental cement.

In cases where a large portion of the tooth structure has gone missing as a result of accidental trauma, or has been required to be removed due to extensive decay, Pueblo dentists may place a titanium post or screw in the canal space to provide ‘anchorage’ for a ceramic dental crown or ‘cap’. This restoration is carefully fabricated to be virtually indistinguishable from any natural healthy tooth, say Pueblo dentists. Furthermore, its durability enables patients to eat all the foods they love without discrimination.

FAQ 5: How do I know if I need root canal therapy?

Answer: Only a qualified and experienced Pueblo dentist will be able to tell you whether the procedure you need to get your oral health back on track is root canal therapy. However, there are certain signs and indications that point towards an infected and decayed tooth; signs that should not be ignored if you are to save the tooth and avoid the need for dental implants. If you ever notice any of the following symptoms in any combination, immediately make an appointment with your Pueblo dentist. Only timely treatment will prevent the affected tooth or teeth from being lost and the need to have them replaced with dental implants:

• Tooth Ache: Most notably, an infected pulp chamber or root canal/s presents with pain, says the Pueblo dentist. This can range in intensity, but as a rule persistent tooth ache, whether it’s mild or intolerable, should never be ignored.
• Prolonged Sensitivity to Temperature Extremes: If biting into a cold ice cream or sipping on hot coffee causes unusual sensitivity of a tooth or several teeth; you should schedule an appointment with your Pueblo dentist to make sure that there aren’t more sinister problems behind your symptoms.
• Tooth discoloration: Tooth decay causes the natural color of the tooth crown to change from pearly white to dark yellow, brown, gray and even green. Seek immediate attention from your Pueblo dentist if you want to avoid tooth loss and the need for dental implants.
• Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums: The body’s natural response to infection is inflammation and swelling, say Pueblo dentist.

Pueblo Dentists: Stay Tuned…

For more frequently asked questions about root canal therapy and how it can save you from needing dental implants, stay tuned for the final installment of this three-part article series, courtesy of qualified and experienced Pueblo dentists, Dr. Morgan and Dr. Rogers.

This article describes the importance of thorough lifelong oral hygiene in the preservation of a beautiful and healthy smile.

Just the ones you want to keep! We have all been instructed by our parents, guardians or Pueblo dentist to brush and floss our teeth twice a day. “Look after your teeth” is a phrase that all of us should be familiar with and the consequences of poor oral hygiene, even more so. Yet, in spite of our awareness of the importance of good oral health, there is this air of invulnerability that keeps so many people from taking the advice of the Pueblo dentist seriously. So now there is a new phrase to memorize and teach your children:

You don’t have to brush all your teeth; just the ones you want to keep!

Ask the Pueblo Dentist: The Hazards of a Dirty Mouth

Keeping your teeth and gums clean requires regular (and thorough) brushing, flossing and check-ups with the Pueblo dentist. If it’s been more than a year since your last appointment or teeth cleaning, then it’s time to make that phone call! Why? No matter how neurotic we are about keeping our teeth clean (and very few patients are), plaque accumulates in places that are hard to reach and hard to keep clean. That soft white sticky substance on your teeth may seem harmless enough, but did you know that it consists of over 300 different varieties of bacteria? Ew, gross! Exactly; and there are people who seldom brush their teeth more than once a day! The reality of the situation is that we need to understand what happens when we don’t practice proper oral hygiene and healthy living habits. According to the Pueblo dentist, oral bacteria, if not kept to a minimum via brushing and flossing can cause the soft tissues in the mouth to become inflamed and infected. Gingivitis not only results in gums that are swollen and unsightly, but also bad breath, which is a guaranteed social deterrent!

Pueblo Dentist: Fancy Dental Implants? Here’s How to Need Them…

When an oral bacterial infection is left without treatment – and exacerbated by further neglect of oral hygiene – the decay can migrate down into the gingival sulci or tooth sockets. It is at this juncture that only professional intervention by the Pueblo dentist will be able to restore good oral health; or otherwise you face the inevitable need for dental implants as a result of tooth loss. Yes, tooth loss. One of the biggest causes behind tooth loss and the suite of nasty oral ailments that cause it is poor oral hygiene; in other words, neglecting to brush, floss and see the Pueblo dentist regularly. Other factors include a diet that is high in fats and sugar, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse.

A Final Note from the Pueblo Dentist

If you want to end up losing one or more of your pearly whites to decay and if you want to end up requiring dental implants, then poor oral hygiene, says the Pueblo dentist, is the fast track there. For those of us who care about the quality and health of our smiles, regular brushing, flossing and visits to the Pueblo dentist are a must.

So, remember to brush the teeth you want to keep for a lifetime: all of them!