Online Dental Education Library
Our team of dental specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with your teeth and gums. Please use our dental library to learn more about dental problems and treatments available. If you have questions, please contact us.
Choose from the links below, browse our Glossary, or simply type in keywords for more information.
YOUR HEALTH ---
- Medication and Heart Disease
- Age and Oral Health
- Tobacco
- Diabetes
- Medications
- Oral Piercing
- Periodontal Exams
- What is Tooth Decay?
- Brushing
- Flossing
- Fluoride Facts
- Mouth Rinses
- Sealants
- X-Rays
- Denture Care
- Emergency Care
- Prevention Tips for Children
- Women and Tooth Care
- Seniors and Oral Health
- Nutrition and Your Teeth
- Choosing a Toothbrush
- Your First Dental Visit
- Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient
- Oral Health Products
- Types of Floss
- Water Picks
- Managing Pain
COMMON DENTAL PROBLEMS ---
- Abscessed Tooth
- Dental Emergencies
- Bad Breath (halitosis)
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Canker/Cold Sores
- Cavities and Tooth Decay
- Toothaches
- Dry Mouth
- Fluorosis
- Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
- Wisdom Teeth
- Jaw/TMJ
- Lacerations and Cuts
- Oral Cancer
- Plaque
- Sensitive Teeth
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
- Jaw Disorders
- Missing Teeth
- Chipped, Cracked, and Worn Teeth
- Excessive or Uneven Gums
- Old and Unsightly Fillings
DENTAL TREATMENTS ---
General Procedure
When restoration procedures such as root canal therapy, crowns, or fillings are not enough to save a tooth, it may need to be pulled, or extracted.
Tooth extraction procedures today are far less painful than ever before, thanks to powerful anesthetics and sedatives. In many cases, a patient who has tooth pulled experiences little or no discomfort, and only minor bleeding.
Before a tooth is extracted, the area surrounding the tooth is numbed with a topical/and or injectable anesthetic such as Novocaine.
Patients with extracted teeth sometimes need to take an antibiotic, and at the very least, take precautions following the procedure to ensure that infection doesn't occur.
Smoking, vigorous brushing and rinsing, and drinking liquids through straws are discouraged during the post-operative period because they hinder healing and may cause the wound to open. Cold compresses applied to the outside cheek near the extraction area can help reduce any swelling and promote faster healing.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that erupt in the back corners of the upper and lower normal adult mouth. Unfortunately, most people experience problems from wisdom teeth; in most cases, this is because the teeth erupt too close to existing permanent teeth, causing crowding, improper bites, and other problems.
If wisdom teeth are causing a problem, this could mean that they are impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely painful, as well as harmful to your oral health. Symptoms are easy to spot: severe discomfort, inflammation, and some kinds of infections.
Many people need to have their wisdom teeth extracted to avoid future serious problems. In general, the lack of the four wisdom teeth does not hamper one's ability to properly bite down, speak or eat.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth:
- Facial swelling
- Infection
- Pain
- Gum swelling