Wisdom teeth extractions can make a lot of sense for most people. But there are a few exceptions where keeping your wisdom teeth might be OK. Here's how to tell if your wisdom teeth should be removed.
Along with those gray hairs and inevitable smile lines, your mouth undergoes natural changes over the years, as well. Among them:
Remember to keep regularly scheduled hygiene appointments to check for cavities. Consider dental sealants to prevent decay, or a nighttime mouthguard if you experience grinding (bruxism).
Loss of bone mass is a fact of aging, especially in women. When teeth are missing, osteoporosis (bone thinning) is accelerated. A diet rich in calcium (milk, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits) can help put the brakes on bone loss.
There are many way to strengthen a damaged or compromised tooth. Bonding, porcelain veneers, or crowns can all provide structural support and repair imperfections. Discolored or stained teeth can also be whitened!
This can be a problem because lack of saliva can increase susceptibility to infection, decay, and gum disease. Dry mouth can also interfere with chewing, swallowing, even speaking. Xerostomia can be caused by prescriptions such as sedatives, heart and blood pressure medications, and others. Radiation therapy has the same effect as well.
If you’ve got chronic dry mouth, consider saliva substitutes, sugarless gum or sugarless lemon drops. You may want to consult your doctor.
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Wisdom teeth extractions can make a lot of sense for most people. But there are a few exceptions where keeping your wisdom teeth might be OK. Here's how to tell if your wisdom teeth should be removed.
Dental veneers can transform the way your smile looks. All it takes is two office visits to start enjoying a more beautiful smile — and greater self-confidence. Learn how veneers can help you get the smile you want.
Dental implants are designed like your natural tooth, with the metal implant acting as a “stand-in” root. That design doesn’t just make implants more secure and comfortable – it can actually help prevent future oral health problems. Here’s how.
If you're considering Invisalign treatment, you probably already know it's really popular. What you want to know is why. Here are five major benefits of Invisalign treatment, as well as a couple of special benefits just for teens.
There’s no way to prevent a gummy smile — that comes down to genetics. But dental veneers offer a way to change the proportion of teeth and gums. Pushing back gum tissue and filling that space is just one of the dental issues that veneers address.
Keeping your smile its whitest isn’t difficult, but it takes some self-discipline to maintain an effective oral care routine. Your best smile comes from a combination of dentist visits and personal care at home.