Are Your Wisdom Teeth Ready to be Removed? Here’s How You Can Tell

Between the ages of 17 and 25, your wisdom teeth may begin to emerge, even if there is insufficient space in the jaw. Your wisdom teeth could be impacted, stuck, growing in at the wrong angle, or causing discomfort – all leading to the rest of your teeth becoming misaligned and causing oral health concerns. To prevent any damage to your dentition, your dentist may recommend the removal of your wisdom teeth.

Here are some signs that your wisdom teeth need to be removed.

Jaw stiffness: If your jaw is feeling more tense than usual, this could be a sign that your wisdom teeth are emerging, but are impacted – meaning that they are unable to break through the surface of the gums.

Pain or irritation: It’s possible for your wisdom teeth to come in at an awkward angle, which can cause pain in your cheeks, tongue, and other areas of the mouth.

Infection or swelling: When wisdom teeth become partially impacted, the gums will form a flap of tissue to accommodate the tooth. However, the space left from the gap can become infected and begin to swell.

Teeth crowding: If you notice that your teeth are shifting in alignment, this may be a sign that your wisdom teeth are coming in and disrupting the rest of your teeth.

Decay or gum disease: If your teeth become overcrowded due to the emergence of wisdom teeth, your teeth will become more difficult to clean, possibly leading to dental health concerns such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Call Us Today!

If you are experiencing any of these sings, it is important to contact your local dentist for a proper diagnosis. If you would like more information about wisdom teeth extractions, contact Dr. Craig Wright and Dr. Andy De la Garza at Windcrest Cosmetic Dentistry in San Antonio today!

5 Great Ways to Gain a Brighter Smile

Your smile says a lot about you, and now more than ever people are beginning to recognize the importance of a bright smile. Your dentist can provide you with many teeth whitening options, but before you make an appointment, read up on some of the at-home remedies available that can help you gain that white smile you’ve been looking for.

Brush, Floss, and Rinse

The key to a bright smile is good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing teeth regularly will help keep staining bacteria at bay. You can also use a whitening mouthwash, which will sweep out any bacteria leftover after brushing and flossing. Each plays a part in the whiteness of your smile.

Snack on Fruits and Veggies

Chewing on natural foods like fruits and vegetables will help produce more saliva, which cleanses your teeth of any bacteria. Eating these foods throughout the day will keep plaque from sticking to teeth and contribute to a whiter smile.

Eliminate Staining Liquids

If you are trying to achieve a brighter smile, you should considering eliminating liquids like coffee, black tea, and red wine. Tobacco use can also lead to a dull or yellow smile, so try kicking the habit if you can. If you must have that morning cup of coffee or a glass of red wine, consider drinking it through a straw so that the liquid doesn’t touch your front teeth.

Try an Over-the-Counter Whitening Kit

Although they cannot whiten in the same capacity as a professional whitening procedure, an over-the-counter whitening kit can give you the quick fix you’re looking for. You can target front-facing teeth with whitening strips and achieve a whiter smile.

Schedule a Teeth Whitening Appointment with Your Dentist

The most effective way to whiten teeth is to schedule an appointment with your local dentist. A professional whitening procedure targets each tooth and can lighten teeth more than any other whitening treatment available. Patients can either opt for take-home whitening kits or chairside procedures and can expect quick results.

Call Today!

If you are interested in a teeth whitening procedure or any of our other cosmetic dentistry services, contact San Antonio dentists, Dr. Craig Wright and Dr. Andy De la Garza, today. We would be happy to discuss the teeth whitening options available. Call us and schedule a consultation!

Welcome to our blog!

We're excited to announce the official launch of our Windcrest Cosmetic Dentistry blog.

We'll be posting helpful dental tips, news from the dental industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in dentistry.

We built our practice on the notion that we're there for our patients when they need us and we want our online presence to be a reflection of that principle. We hope this blog provides an extra level of service to our current and future patients.

If you would like to stay up to date on the latest from Windcrest Cosmetic Dentistry, simply click the RSS “Subscribe to feed” link located on our website and subscribe. Our subscribers will be updated when we make a new blog post. (Compatible with Windows Internet Explorer 7 and 8 or News Aggregator/RSS Reader only)

Here's to your best oral health ever!