Extractions

Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth out. However, Studies have shown that 95% of people do not have space for their wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth can cause severe issues in the gums, or 'eat' (resorb) the roots of perfectly fine permanent teeth. It’s common for people to have impacted wisdom teeth. These teeth are buried, either partially or completely, in the soft tissue or jaw bone, and are more susceptible to disease and other problems.

To prevent issues, the best time to remove these for most people we've found is in their late teens to early twenties. We've seen kids as young as 12 that needed them removed due to pain! Although that is rare, we still need to keep an eye at this age to prevent future problems.

Even wisdom teeth that come in correctly can develop problems over time because they are so far back in the mouth and difficult to clean. Wisdom teeth are a big cause of periodontal disease which we want to avoid. So if you keep your wisdom teeth, be sure to brush and floss them well, and see your dentist regularly. They also cause shifting of teeth while trying to erupt, pushing on your other molars, which can affect any orthodontic treatment needed in the future. Asking your dentist about why they suggest removing your wisdom teeth can help you see and understand their concerns. Even if you aren't in pain, most removals are preventative rather than responsive.  

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One common concern parents have with their children's teeth is when their permanent teeth come out before the baby, or primary, teeth have fallen out. 

Losing baby teeth is a part of growing up. Sometimes things don't go as they should and a permanent tooth erupts out of position, not allowing the root of the baby tooth to be absorbed and dissolve. Normally, when the permanent tooth starts pushing against the baby tooth’s roots, the roots begin to dissolve. Once enough of the root has dissolved away from the baby tooth, it becomes loose and should fall out. However, if the permanent teeth begin growing behind baby teeth, it can miss the baby tooth’s roots, which won’t trigger them to dissolve. This is called an ectopic eruption.

We have kids, too, and don't want to rob them of the experience of growing up and losing teeth. If the permanent teeth start to erupt with the primary teeth being wiggly or loose, it might be best to wait and see if they fall out on their own. But in some cases, they need our help. If the primary teeth are not loose, then most likely they will need to come to one of our Fort Worth, TX offices and have them extracted. 

If untreated, “shark teeth” or the formation of permanent teeth behind the baby teeth, can cause deflection of the teeth and move out of position causing problems as they get older. Once the baby tooth is out, your child’s tongue should naturally push the permanent tooth forward into the correct position. Children who have moderate to severe crowding may not have room for the permanent tooth even after the baby tooth is out, and an orthodontic consultation would be appropriate.

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There are many causes of bleeding gums. Most of these can easily be fixed, but some can also be a sign of more serious oral issues needing to be addressed. 

Many people get nervous when they see blood of any kind, but it's pretty common for gums to bleed. However, that does not mean it's a good thing.

The most common reason for bleeding gums is due to 'gingivitis' which is a mild infection of the gumline where buildup of plaque is at its earliest stage. Your gums become swollen, tender, and can bleed during brushing or flossing. We see this quite often, and in simple terms, it tells us that these areas need to be cleaned better. Brushing and flossing thoroughly and consistently usually resolves this. Regular exams allow us to help you in identifying these areas and we can give you tips on how to improve what you’re doing at home! During regular cleanings, we can then remove anything you are missing at home allowing your gums to remain healthy and happy! 

The next thing we see is periodontal disease, which is a chronic infection in the gums due to years of infection and inflammation near the gums resulting in bone loss around the teeth. These patients will always need to keep up with their cleanings and most tend to visit every 3 months to stay on top of the disease. If it's been years for these patients since the last cleaning, their gums will likely bleed after removing the tartar from their teeth, but they will be on their way to becoming healthier!

For a lot of dental treatment we are able to send you home knowing that you won't have any bleeding. However, for some procedures like removing a tooth, there will definitely be bleeding. Oozing or bleeding can last up to 48 hours after treatment and is normal. Use gauze as directed. Alternatively, a home remedy is placing a tea bag on the area to help it clot.

Another reason gums bleed after dental work could be that the tooth being treated was near the gums. When this happens it heals pretty quickly due to the nature of the gum tissue.

When you need dental treatment, we go over the "post-op expectations" with you so that you are prepared. We also remind you that when we have to numb your mouth for your dental treatment, it is vital not to put your hands in your mouth or eat/drink until your mouth “wakes up.” If you don't wait, you could accidentally harm your gums, cheeks, or tongue, as you cannot feel them. This could also cause unexpected bleeding.