What Are Impacted Canines?

Did you know that our canine teeth are also known as “eye teeth?” It may sound strange, but there’s actually a logical explanation for the nickname: the canines are simply aligned with the position of our eyes. Our canines are important for biting and guiding the rest of the teeth in position when you close your mouth. Canines also have the longest root compared to the rest of your teeth, making them the last to erupt. Sometimes canines fail to erupt properly, which causes problems for the capacity and appearance of your mouth. We at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania offer surgery for individuals with impacted canines. Any of our experienced oral surgeons can help get your canines in the correct position!

An impacted canine simply means that the tooth has failed to erupt through your gums. Some of the causes of impacted canines include:

- Cysts: abnormal growths on the gums

- Overcrowding: when teeth are squished together from lack of space in the mouth

- Extra teeth: when an additional tooth occupies the space where the canine is supposed to erupt

- Ankylosed: when the canine tooth root is intertwined with the surrounding bone

There are some additional signs of an impacted canine to look for. This includes the presence of a palatal lump, the delayed eruption of the canine (usually after 15 years old), and the absence of a labial canine lump. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it’s possible that you have an impacted canine. Call one of our offices today and we can get you started on the road to treatment!

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania is located across the PA area. We have offices in Folsom, Clifton Heights, and two offices in Philadelphia. Please visit oralsurgerypa.com for more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our offices.

 

Midnight Snacks and Your Oral Health

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we realize that some things taste better after midnight. But there is a correlation between midnight snacks and your oral health that isn’t good for your smile. Eating late at night, when your saliva production slows down and your mouth is the driest, accentuates the adverse effects on your teeth (plaque buildup, tooth decay, and even tooth loss) when consuming foods and drinks. This is especially true in the case of sugary foods and starchy foods. Yes, we know that ice cream, pizza, and cake are some of the most popular midnight snacks.

 

There’s a reason that we were instructed early on to brush our teeth before going to bed. Without brushing before bed, food left on teeth — and its bacteria and plaque growth — wreak havoc on your teeth. To minimize the damage to your teeth from eating a midnight snack, be sure to brush your teeth afterwards. Better yet, try to avoid eating late at night by:

• Distracting yourself.  Read a book or magazine.
• Eating breakfast every day. People who eat breakfast are less likely to snack at night.
• Increasing your protein and fiber during dinner. This helps to make you feel full.

Is It Time For a New Toothbrush?

You most likely know that brushing your teeth regularly will help you keep a healthy smile. But if you don’t take proper care of your toothbrush as well, some of those efforts eventually will go by the wayside. That’s because toothbrushes, over time, become infested with harmful bacteria.

 

Many individuals only replace their toothbrush once or twice a year. We believe at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania that that is far too long. We recommend that adults use a new toothbrush every three months in order to maintain and improve oral health. You should replace your toothbrush sooner than three months, however, if the toothbrush bristles are frayed. In addition, if you’ve been sick, such as having the flu, replace your toothbrush immediately when you’re better.

 

Some new toothbrushes contain bristles that change color to let you know that it’s time for a new toothbrush. Keep in mind, children’s toothbrushes should be replaced more frequently than three months -- at least every two months.

Great Oral Health Contributes to a Healthy Pregnancy

Great Oral Health Contributes to a Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting time. It’s also a time when there is a lot to think about and to do.  After all, there’s designing the nursery, selecting baby clothes, and choosing your new baby’s name. While all of these things are at the forefront of your mind, our team at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania wants to remind you of how great oral health contributes to a healthy pregnancy.

 

Taking care of your gums and teeth when you are pregnant is important. During pregnancy, heightened hormonal changes can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease, and may even increase your risk of pre-term labor.  We want to emphasize the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene during your pregnancy by brushing and flossing regularly. With excellent oral health care, you can contribute to a healthy pregnancy.

 

We know that you’ll be having many ob/gyn appointments during your pregnancy, but don’t miss your regular dental checkups during this time. Dental procedures can be done during pregnancy, but they need to be scheduled appropriately, usually in the second trimester. 

Alcohol's Effect on Your Oral Health

 

Many alcoholic drinks, including beer, contain sugar that can damage your tooth enamel.  Wines, margaritas, daiquiris, and other mixed drinks containing citrus juices or soda are even worse.  The high acidity and overly abundant sugar content can increase your risk of tooth decay.

 

Alcohol, by its very nature, is dehydrating.  It dehydrates your body and reduces the amount of saliva in your mouth.  This can both damage and soften your enamel.  In addition to physical problems and addiction tendencies, excessive alcohol consumption can cause a host of dental troubles, including gum deterioration, cavities, and even tooth loss over time.

 

If you are going to drink (and not excessively, we hope), there are a few things that we at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania advise you to do in order to lessen the damaging nature of alcohol’s effect on your health.

• Brush and floss every night before going to bed -- especially if you’ve been consuming alcohol.
• Leave your toothbrush and floss out if you plan to go out and drink as a reminder to brush and floss before turning in.
• ·Swish water in your mouth while drinking alcohol to rinse sugar and acids away and add moisture to your mouth.
• Chew sugarless gum between drinks and after drinking.

While all of these tips won’t completely eliminate alcohol’s damaging effects on oral health, it can help to lessen the detrimental effects.