Magee Dental Surgery: Camberwell, Victoria 3124

Dental information -Special topics- Accidents Anorexia Arthritis Bad breath Bisphosphonates Bleeding gums Boot camp for kids Braces Bruxism Burning mouth & tongue Burning mouth & tongue Cancer treatment Caries Chewing gum Cleaning kids teeth Crowns Decay Dentures Diabetes Diet and Acid erosion Drinks Dry mouth Dummies Eating disorders Endodontic treatment Erosion Erosion Eruption dates Fluoride Genetics and gums Geographic tongue Gingivitis Grinding Heart Risks Hormones Implants Infection control Jaw pain Joint pain Knocked out tooth Lichen planus Morning sickness Mouthguard Info Mouthguards Musican's mouths Oral health rating Orthodontics Osteonecrosis Osteoporosis Periodontal disease Porcelain veneers Pregnancy advice Radiation therapy Radiographs Research pain paper Research to help gaggers Root canal treatment Scaling and cleaning Sensitive teeth Smoking Sports drinks Sterilization Stroke Risks Teething (babies) Thumb sucking TMJ TMJ pain Tongue piercing Tooth brushes Tooth mousse Toothpaste Trauma Trigeminal neuralgia Unreal pain Veneers Vitamin C When teeth grow Whitening teeth Wisdom teeth Xerostomia X-rays

Accidents
What do you do if a tooth is knocked out?
Anorexia
Eating disorders can have serious dental consequences. Dentists can be part of the team who helps with your health while you deal with the eating disorder.
Arthritis
Is there anything that would help me?
Bad breath
Read some odd research on this common problem
Bisphosphonates
These medications used in cancer and osteoporosis treatment are a real concern to dentists. Find out why and let the dentist know if you are taking these drugs.
Bleeding gums
When you clean your teeth and your gums bleed should you be concerned?
Boot camp for kids
Are your kids ready for a fun challenge? The ADA has a web site just of them. You can start your kid's Bootcamp program anytime-just click on the first day and get them started with Day One's Basic Training.
Braces
Orthodontics seems so common today. When should I have my child checked out for braces?
Bruxism
Bruxism or wearing down your teeth from grinding is not uncommon. Other symptoms are more common in bruxers. What?
Burning mouth & tongue
Burning mouth: You should be confused because we are !
Burning mouth & tongue
A tongue or mouth with burning sensation is not uncommon. This condition is linked to certain ages and stages in life.
Cancer treatment
Remembering to keep your mouth and gums healthy before and during treatment for cancer is very important
Caries
Caries or decay is a disease caused by bacteria. Diet and prevention are linked to successfully managing this disease.
Chewing gum
Chewing gum can help prevent and heal teeth - if you make the right choice.
Cleaning kids teeth
Help avoid the 'bathroom' fights morning and night!
Crowns
Should you have a filling or a crown? What is involved and how will you benefit?
Decay
Getting holes in your teeth is preventable. Become informed so you can make a difference.
Dentures
How do you live well with new dentures? Hints and suggestions for success
Diabetes
What should you do 'dentally' if you have diabetes? What about the gums and diabetes?
Diet and Acid erosion
Diet and erosion: cause and combating!
Drinks
Acid and sugar content of drinks is a great concern in looking after your teeth for a long life. Find out what sort of damage may occur - even with diet drinks.
Dry mouth
Medications and illness can dry our mouths. Find out our hints for relief.
Dummies
Sucking is natural for babies and it is comforting. Will that dummy affect my babies teeth later in life?
Eating disorders
Anorexia and bulimia may be seen by a dentist before any other health professional. Find out why the teeth are affected.
Endodontic treatment
A 'dead' tooth causes pain and needs to have endodontic treatment. It sounds very complex. Find out what and why the inside of the tooth is treated.
Erosion
Are you wearing your teeth down or out! What causes erosion and how do you make sure this insidious condition doesn't cost you money.
Erosion
Are you wearing your teeth down or out! What causes erosion and how do you make sure this insidious condition doesn't cost you money.
Eruption dates
When should teeth start to grow? Is it better for teeth to be early or late?
Fluoride
This is added to water supplies to help prevent tooth decay. Why shouldn't you remove it with your water filter?
Genetics and gums
Largest study ever using genetic testing to help with gum health
Geographic tongue
Do you have a 'road map' in your mouth? Geographic tongue affects up to 4% of the population.
Gingivitis
The most common infection dentists see is gingivitis. It is preventable and treatable.
Grinding
Don't wear away your teeth. Night grinding is a real problem.
Heart Risks
Research is becoming clearer and showing gum disease is linked to heart attacks.
Hormones
At different stages of life different hormones affect our gums.
Implants
The newest major change to dentistry has been the ability to replace teeth. Dental implants may be an option if you have a missing tooth or dentures that are always loose.
Infection control
You need to know that the dental surgery is concerned with your general health and safety. Infection control is how we make sure we don't share 'bugs'.
Jaw pain
My teeth don't ache but my face does. Should I see a doctor or a dentist?
Joint pain
Does it 'click' when you open your jaw. Find out why.
Knocked out tooth
Emergency help - you need to act quickly.
Lichen planus
Lichen planus is a common disease of the skin and mouth. Why, how and what?
Morning sickness
If you suffer from this it is important to take our advice so you don't cause long term tooth damage.
Mouthguard Info
New ADA information resources for sports clubs
Mouthguards
Be safe when you play sport. A mouthguard can save 1,000's of dollars.
Musican's mouths
Did you know that people who play musical instruments and sing are prone to certain types of mouth and face pain?
Oral health rating
New studies rank Aussies 1st or 2nd in nine different oral health indicators when compared to UK, USA and Germany
Orthodontics
When should my child have orthodontics, why and what?
Osteonecrosis
This is a rare but serious condition of the jaw bone. The symptoms and risk factors are discussed.
Osteoporosis
If you have osteoporosis you may be taking medications which the dentist needs to know about. Find out why.
Periodontal disease
80% of Australians have this disease in some form. Be informed to reduce its impact in your mouth
Porcelain veneers
Fine coatings of porcelain can cover defects in teeth and make them look stunning and perfect again.
Pregnancy advice
Cravings, morning sickness, bleeding gums and how do I have a healthy baby?
Radiation therapy
How can I maintain the health of my teeth and gums while I have radiation therapy? Loss of appetite, dry mouth and nausea!
Radiographs
Why do dentists want to take radiographs of teeth? Can't they just look around your mouth for holes?
Research pain paper
German brain scan research gives new insight into dental pain
Research to help gaggers
Having pressure applied to the palm of the hand can reduce gagging
Root canal treatment
The inside of the tooth root is treated by dentists. Find out what and why and how of root canal treatment.
Scaling and cleaning
Removing buildup around the teeth may not be a favorite part of the dental visit. Why does it matter and what causes the buildup?
Sensitive teeth
Ice-cream -ouch. Cold water -ouch. Find relief from sensitive teeth.
Smoking
You know it affects your lungs but why is your dentist talking about gum damage and smoking?
Sports drinks
Sports drinks are great for rehydrating but terrible for teeth. Find the sensible balance.
Sterilization
Your health is important so we take extra special precautions to keep you safe.
Stroke Risks
Gum health and strokes have been linked. Prevent the risk of strokes with healthy gums?
Teething (babies)
What is normal? When should teeth come through? How can I survive as a parent?
Thumb sucking
What is worse - thumb or dummy? Will they ruin my childs teeth and mean we will need braces later in life?
TMJ
My dentist said I have TMJ problems. What does that mean and how can it be fixed?
TMJ pain
My face aches and my teeth ache on BOTH sides of my face. Why?
Tongue piercing
Is tongue piercing dangerous to teeth or is it all a rumor spread by old people?
Tooth brushes
Which toothbrush do I need? Soft? Hard? Electric? Some hints on what to look for and how to decide what you should do.
Tooth mousse
Prevention of dental caries is important to Aussie's
Toothpaste
Low dose children's toothpaste does little to protect against decay
Trauma
Find out what to do if you have a tooth accident. Quick and correct action is very important.
Trigeminal neuralgia
What is trigeminal neuralgia? What is the cause and how is it treated?
Unreal pain
It's not a 'normal' toothache. What is it and how can we make it go away.
Veneers
Appearance is important and veneers are an option for making your teeth look better.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is not just good to stop colds and flu.
When teeth grow
When should teeth come through? What is 'normal'?
Whitening teeth
Please make my teeth whiter! How do you do that?
Wisdom teeth
Everyone seems to be getting their wisdom teeth out and you want to know what's going on! Do you have any wisdom teeth and will they need to be removed?
Xerostomia
A dry mouth is uncomfortable and causes tooth decay. The things you need to know.
X-rays
Is taking xrays really necessary in your mouth if you don't have any pain or discomfort?

Magee Dental Care
575 Riversdale Rd
Camberwell 3124
Ph 9882 4444
Information sheet from www.mageedentalcare.com

Wisdom teeth (or 8's)

About Wisdom teeth
What problems can wisdom teeth cause?
Looking after wisdom teeth
How will my wisdom teeth be removed?
After removal of my wisdom teeth
How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?
How does the dentist know if your wisdom teeth need to be removed?
What age should I be when my wisdom teeth are removed?
Are there any risks with removing wisdom teeth?

About Wisdom teeth

• Typically wisdom teeth start to erupt, or grow into the mouth, in people aged between 16 years to 26 year olds. They derive their name "wisdom teeth" from this being the time of the "getting of wisdom" as you progress from "youth" to "adulthood".
• Wisdom teeth are the third of the molar series of teeth to grow in your mouth (the first molars grow when you are about 6 years and the second molars grow when you are about 12 years old). There is four wisdom teeth in total. Two upper wisdom teeth and two lower wisdom teeth. The total number of teeth in the mouth is 32.
• Sometimes wisdom teeth are missing from the mouth because they remain under the gums. A radiograph or x-ray will show whether the tooth is actually missing altogether or just remaining within the jaw bones.Sometimes they do not form at all.

What problems can wisdom teeth cause?

• Unerupted wisdom teeth: These are teeth that have not grown into the mouth. Usually when teeth don't grow into the mouth it is because they don't have enough room to fit in.
  
• Cyst formation: A totally unerupted wisdom tooth may be surrounded by fluid. A cyst can form and this may damage adjacent teeth, the jaw and nerves. Often the only way this problem is detected is by radiographs (x-rays).
• Pain :As the wisdom teeth move through bone and gum to their final position people may experience some degree of pain or discomfort. This can be due to infected gums or may be part of the normal process of eruption.
  
• Infected gums: A tooth that has partially broken through the gums allows bacteria to enter the area around the crown of the tooth. Bacteria can breed and cleaning this area can be nearly impossible. This condition is known as "pericoronitis" ( infection around the crown).
  
• Decay: A tooth that is partially covered by gum may get decay. This decay may be hard to treat.
  
• Crowding: Wisdom teeth may not have enough room to come into the mouth in a good position for cleaning and eating. Sometimes they come through at strange angles and may cause uneven wear on other teeth. Sometimes dentists and orthodontists feel that removing the wisdom teeth early may eliminate the potential for wisdom teeth to cause crowding.

Looking after wisdom teeth
Regular dental checkups
Good brushing
Chlorhexidine mouth rinse in mild infection in gums
"Teething gel" if gums are sore during eruption
Beware of popcorn and apple peel when teeth are not totally erupted

How will my wisdom teeth be removed?
Depending on your health and the position of the teeth you may have numerous choices.

• Local anaesthetic - this involves injections and is probably the most inexpensive of the methods of removing teeth. It is generally not used where the procedure is difficult or very long.
• Local anaesthetic and some form of relaxation. (Ask us if you are interested in knowing more)
• General anaesthetic - you will not be awake for the removal of wisdom teeth by this method. This is often the method used when 4 wisdom teeth need removal. This procedure is usually done as a day procedure. You will be asked to fast (not eat or drink) for a time before the surgery ( usually 6 hours - but we will give you specific instructions). You need to be driven home after the general anaesthetic by someone else after recovery. Please ask us about the advantages and disadvantages of a general anaesthetic for your particular teeth.

Depending on the difficulties in taking out your wisdom teeth we will advise you as to whether we are able to take them out or if you need to see an Oral Surgeon. Oral Surgeons are dentists who have undergone special training in this area. They may also have a medical degree.
When you attend an Oral Surgeon the initial appointment will be to assess your teeth and health and then advise you on the options you have and the cost involved.

After removal of the teeth
It is normal to have some initial swelling and pain (called discomfort by us!) after surgery to remove teeth. If we have advised you to take any medication please do so to minimise your discomfort. You should also take the following sensible advice: -

• Rest at home.
• You may need to take time off work or school to recover. It is wise to plan to have a few days at home after surgery.
• Swelling and pain may be relieved by ice packs.
• You may be prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relieving medications and antibiotics if necessary. Some pain killers affect blood clotting and should not be taken after tooth extraction.
• Avoid alcohol on the day of the surgery. Alcohol shouldn't be taken with certain antibiotics and should not be taken with pain killers.
• Drink lots of liquids so you don't get dehydrated but be gentle so you don't wash away the blood clot that forms where the teeth has been removed.
• Eat soft foods for a few days while your jaw recovers.
• Call us or the Oral surgeon if you have fever, severe pain, excessive bleeding or swelling or any reaction to your medications.

How do I know if my wisdom teeth need to be removed?
You may experience pain or difficulty in opening your mouth or even swelling at the back of the jaw.
You may however have no pain and it is possible to develop bone loss without being aware of problems
The best thing is to come in for regular check up and x-rays.

How does the dentist know if your wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Often as the wisdom teeth start to erupt the dentist can see enough of the teeth to tell if it is going to come through into a useful position or if it is just going to be a problem. This can mean that the wisdom teeth can be removed before they cause problems.Often the dentist will need radiographs (x-rays) to see the wisdom teeth and decide whether they are likely to cause problems.

This radiograph is called an "OPG" and is commonly used to assess wisdom teeth because is shows the root within the jaw.
Lower impacted wisdom teeth are seen on this x-ray.

Sometimes the advice from the dentist will be "wait" and "watch" because the teeth may be close to the correct position to fit in the mouth.

What age should I be when my wisdom teeth are removed?
Often orthodontists will want wisdom teeth removed to prevent the possibility of them interfacing with the teeth straightening they have undertaken.
Your dentist may also feel this is an important consideration in your mouth.

Between the ages of 17 and 24 would be "typical" to have wisdom teeth removed.
At a younger age it may be difficult to remove the wisdom teeth because they are imbedded deep within the jaw bones and as we get older our jaw bones becomes more dense making removal and healing a greater problem.

Are there any risks with removing wisdom teeth?
With any treatment there are risks.

• Anaesthetic problems. General anaesthetics, while very safe today, are not without risks. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to an anaesthetic or any medication please let us know.
• Bleeding problems. Again this is rare but a possibility. Normally stopping all activity and siting down (not lying) and applying pressure to the area by gently biting on a gauze pack for 15 minutes will generally stop bleeding. Don't keep removing the pack to see if bleeding has stopped.
  If, after 15 minutes, bleeding has not stopped please contact us.
• Dry Socket. After a tooth is removed exposed bone quickly gets covered with a blood clot. If this clot does not form properly or gets washed away you will experience a constant throbbing pain that will last for days. If you do experience pain like this please contact us. Usually we apply a medicated dressing to the bone socket to help relieve the problem. Remember prevention is better than cure and please:
  • Don't rinse or spit with force for the first 24 hours after surgery as this may loosen the clot.
  • DON'T smoke for two weeks after the surgery ( and if you stop for that time you may as well give up altogether!). Smokers are more likely to get dry sockets.
• Numbness. Nerves near the wisdom teeth may be damaged during the removal of the wisdom teeth. This may lead to tingling or numbness which usually disappears over a few weeks as the nerve recovers. In rare cases the nerve may not heal.
• Infection. This is rare but if you develop a fever, bleeding or increasing pain this may indicate an infection so please contact us.

While there may be risks in wisdom teeth removal we will endeavor to give you the best advise for your mouth and this may be removal of your wisdom teeth although aren't aware of any problems with them.
Please discuss with us your concerns and we will be happy to advise you.

Notes: