What you should know about Pulp Disease

Although a number of things, including a broken tooth or an injury to your mouth, can cause pulp disease, the American Dental Association explains that pulp disease is usually a result of poor oral hygiene.

Brushing twice and flossing once each day along with a healthy diet and regular checkups with your dentist can help prevent pulp disease. If you have dental caries, it can affect the pulp in the soft center of your tooth or teeth. Your pulp is loaded with blood vessels, nerves and delicate tissue, that when disturbed, could become diseased. Head to your dentist as quickly as possible, as those cavities could lead to missing teeth.

Your dentist explains that there are several different types of pulp disease.

Reversible pulpitis is a mild inflammation in the center of your tooth. Symptoms usually include pain when you eat or drink, or when your teeth are exposed to hot, cold or something sweet. Without treatment, your pulpitis could cause an abscess, which is a collection of pus and bacteria. Improve your oral health habits to help offset reversible pulptitis and see your dentist as quickly as possible as you may need a dental filling if you break or crack a tooth.

Irreversible pulpitis is actually an inflammation so severe in the center of your tooth that there is no cure. In other words, you may need root canal therapy. If your root canal doesn’t help, your dentist may have to extract your tooth.

Dental pulp stones also known as dental pulp calcification are a condition that hardens your pulp tissue causing extreme pain and hypersensitivity. If you have dental pulp stones, your dental nerves are becoming compressed. Root canals are usually the only answer when it comes to dental stones as the hardened tissue is cleared away during the root canal treatment.

One of the most painful pulp diseases occurs when the pulp in your teeth become exposed. Dental pulp exposure is a condition that occurs when there has been damage done to the enamel or external covering of your tooth. If you have a crack or cavity in your tooth, your pulp becomes exposed making it easy for food particles and bacteria to make their way into the center of your tooth. Pain is usually the first and most noticeable symptom. You may also have a mild infection that if left untreated, could result in a serious abscess. Depending on how exposed your pulp is, a root canal may help, otherwise you may need to have your tooth pulled.

If you are experiencing sensitivity, sudden or intense pain in your mouth, or have an infection, you could be suffering from pulp disease. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today for more information.

Do You Really Need Your Wisdom Teeth?

About 100 million years ago, the jaws of prehistoric man could easily accommodate all 32 teeth, including Wisdom Teeth. Wisdom Teeth are the third set of molars that come in after birth. Paleontologists and anthropologists will tell you that because early man walked on all fours, much like a dog, the massive jaw lead the way.

According to Wikipedia, teeth played an important role. Jaws were larger, which helped with running and balance. Teeth were used to catch, dismember, and eat prey. Early mans diet consisted of raw meat, roots and a healthy diet of leaves. This meant that having 32 teeth was a massive advantage. Prehistoric men and women did not have the luxury of seeing a dentist either which meant that those Wisdom Teeth might have been a back up if the first and second molars were worn down, broken, or lost.

Once man began to walk upright, Wisdom Teeth were not as important. According to some scientists, jaws became shorter and brains larger. Once this occurred the amount of space for teeth was lessened.

Those who oppose evolution say that it was dental hygiene and dietary changes that lessened the importance of Wisdom Teeth, totally discounting the jaw shortening and brain growth theory.

Whatever the reason Wisdom Teeth are the only teeth that develop entirely after you are born. In fact, 35 percent of people never see an appearance of Wisdom Teeth at all.

According to your dentist, Wisdom Teeth are valuable as long as they come in properly and are healthy. However, problems with third molars can occur especially if your jaw is not large enough to accommodate your new Wisdom Teeth.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth are one of the biggest issues when it comes to the third set of molars. If the teeth do not erupt properly and are impacted, the other teeth will obstruct the path. If this occurs, your dentist may recommend having your Wisdom Teeth extracted.

Other problems that could occur include sideways growth or part of the tooth causing damage to the adjacent teeth. Your dentist may also recommend removal if cysts begin to form or if jaw stiffness, pain, and swelling are present.

If you would like more information regarding Wisdom Teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist who will be able to decide whether you or kids need to have those third molars extracted.