Reasons to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed Using Oral Surgery

There are many reasons to have your wisdom teeth removed using oral surgery and very few reasons to allow them to grow in. We can provide you with a comfortable, successful, and problem-free surgery to remove wisdom teeth for good before they start causing problems. Below are a few reasons why wisdom teeth are concerning and why you should have them removed using oral surgery when necessary.

Wisdom teeth Concerns

1. Limited Space in Your Jaw Bone

For most patients, there is a limited amount of space left in the jawbone when it is time for wisdom teeth to erupt. Due to this, wisdom teeth can grow in and cause surrounding teeth and gums to become difficult to clean. An infection then develops and spreads, causing a long list of other potential issues.

2. Increases Potential for Periodontal Disease

Since wisdom teeth restrict space if they grow in, it increases the risk of oral inflammation and tartar growth. When one does not take care of oral inflammation immediately, it can lead to periodontal disease. A periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease that can lead to preterm births and low birth weights in infants, along with an increase in the likelihood of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Gum disease is hard to get rid of and can lead to tooth loss, gum recession, discomfort, bleeding, and tooth abscesses.

3. Abscesses, Cysts, and Tumors Can Develop

Most wisdom teeth do not have enough room to successfully erupt through the gum line and become impacted in the gums. Impacted teeth are caught between the bone and gum tissues, which causes discomfort, swelling, bleeding, and eventually, infection. When this occurs, the likelihood of tooth abscesses, cysts, and tumors increases, which require invasive procedures to remove. After removal, it can be hard to repair the area and encourage correct healing that restores the appearance and function of the mouth.

4. You May Need Orthodontic Treatment If Wisdom Teeth Grow in

If a patient's teeth are straight and the patient allows the wisdom teeth to grow in, it can cause crowding, crookedness, and an unsightly smile. Do not run the risk of needed orthodontic treatment when we can remove the wisdom teeth using oral surgery and avoid extra costs later. Many people probably envy a naturally straight smile. Do not allow wisdom teeth to ruin the teeth or cause avoidable orthodontic treatments to become a necessity.

5. Wisdom Teeth Cause Discomfort

In addition to wisdom teeth being generally uncomfortable for other teeth and jaw structure, they can also be painful. Crowding of nearby teeth and wisdom teeth struggling to erupt through the gum tissues can be a painful process that we guarantee patients will want to avoid. Removing these teeth with the use of oral surgery will not cause discomfort and can promote a healthy, pain-free mouth.
If you have not yet had oral surgery to remove your wisdom teeth, call us at (757) 397-5611 to visit our Portsmouth office soon to determine if this procedure is necessary for your oral and overall health. We can provide you with peace of mind and healthy dental structure for years to come.

Improve Your Health by Visiting a Dental Office in Portsmouth

When you visit our dental office in Portsmouth you are either coming in to see us for a regularly scheduled appointment that we use to offset any potential problems or you are probably coming in with a dental situation that requires our attention. With the advent of the internet, we have found that more and more of our patients are coming in with an increased amount of knowledge about what we do and how they can make their oral hygiene better. While patients can receive the information they need online, there is the danger of finding false facts online.
Oftentimes, patients come in having researched some condition with major concerns that have no effect on them directly. There are sources online that have no direct connection to you or to our dental office. Reading general information is good for things like oral hygiene but when you have something, in particular, you are best off coming in to see us.

High quality oral health

As a dental office, we have one clear directive, to ensure that each patient has strong oral. To accomplish this, we focus a lot of our attention and offer education on, preventative medicine. This involves teaching patients how to maintain teeth in a manner that prevents disease and keeps the gums and teeth healthy. Our website is one of the tools we use to ensure that patients get this kind of information directly from the source.
While our website is a source of information, we also recommend that people give our office a call if they have any questions. There is nothing as personal as getting medical and dental information directly from one's dentist. We understand our patients' medical history and can help treat any issues before they get worse.

A source of information

As a dental office in Portsmouth, we will continue to provide patients with helpful information online. Patients may know some of the information, but we can provide more details to help patients familiarize with what is happening to their teeth. For example, a lot of people know that cavities are due to bacteria in the mouth and that the best way to remove the threat of cavities is to keep the teeth clean. Bacteria live naturally in the human mouth, and, for the most part, is fully harmless.
However, when you do not clean your mouth sufficiently, the bacteria builds up on the teeth in a formation known as plaque. This plaque secretes acids, which wears down the enamel on the teeth and eventually leads to cavities. Knowing this, you can be better prepared to fight cavities by maintaining good habits and eating a diet that is low in acid, starch and sugar. As always, we encourage you to call our office at (757) 397-5611 with questions.

Why You Should Visit a Veneers Dentist Office

What does a veneers dentist do?

When you visit our veneers dentist office in Portsmouth, you are seeking tooth repair and replacement. Our job starts with a single objective: to restore beautiful, healthy teeth and give a patient a radiant smile once again. To do this, we use a tiny porcelain device known as a dental veneer. Dental veneers are also known as porcelain veneers because we use an ultra-thin piece of porcelain to form them. The porcelain that we use is so thin that the device actually takes on some of the qualities of regular enamel.

For example, the veneers we use are extremely hard, which makes the devices very durable. They are also very brittle, just like natural enamel, meaning patients have to avoid engaging in behavior that can damage the teeth like opening a bottle or tearing a bag with the repaired teeth. The dental veneers also have the advantage of looking exactly like enamel, meaning they are used for aesthetic repairs as well.

What conditions can a veneers dentist use dental veneers to treat? 

Porcelain veneers are one of those technologies that have effectively bridged the gap between both cosmetic side of dentistry and its functional elements. As such, dental veneers can correct a large number of problems, ranging from cosmetic fixes to critical functionality issues. On the cosmetic side, we have been using veneers to correct discolored teeth for a very long time. Occasionally teeth no longer respond to the conventional methods of cleaning them and whitening them. When this happens, people have the option of using dental veneers to permanently whiten the teeth.

Dental veneers also give teeth a better shape so that the patients can have a perfect looking smile with smooth teeth. In addition to these, we also use dental veneers to straighten the alignment of teeth where there are minor alignment issues. Properly used, dental veneers can help to essentially straighten some of your teeth. However, one of the most frequent uses for veneers is in the repair of minor damage to the teeth. When the patient has tiny cracks, chips or small breaks to the tooth, there is always a possibility that you can get the tooth infected or that the damage will continue to spread. Using dental veneers, we can repair the tooth making it look great and also increasing its longevity.

Are dental veneers treatments for everyone or are there limitations?

From a purely medical standpoint, there are very few conditions that will hinder receiving treatment by a veneers dentist. While there are extremely rare cases of people who cannot get dental veneers, we will be sure to show one other treatment options, if this is the case. In order to ensure that you are a great candidate for the process, we will need to make sure that the teeth are healthy enough to begin. We typically do this in a preliminary examination before we ever recommend that one get dental veneers. As a veneers dentist, we can treat any health issues patients are facing, such as cavities, so that the teeth can become healthy enough for the procedure.

Fight Gum Disease With Help From a Periodontics Provider

If you have gum disease that is causing detrimental effects to your dental health, a periodontics provider can help you fight it. Pretlow L. Stevenson Jr DDS and Associates provides comprehensive care, preventative treatments, and restorative treatments in order to give you a healthier dental structure free of gum disease.

Gum Disease

The mouth is naturally full of bacteria. The bacteria combine with mucus and food particles to form plaque on the teeth. Fortunately, people can get rid of plaque by brushing and flossing regularly. People will also visit a dentist biannually for deeper cleanings. When a person does not effectively remove plaque by brushing and flossing, it can harden and turn into tartar. A professional dentist can remove tartar with special tools.
If an individual does not visit a dentist in time to have plaque and tartar removed, there is a greater risk to the teeth and gums. The constant presence of tartar and plaque leads to chronic inflammation of the gums. When gums are first inflamed, it is called gingivitis, and it is the mildest form of gum disease. The common symptoms of gingivitis are red, swollen, and bleeding gums. A cleaning in our Portsmouth office by a periodontics provider can reverse gingivitis. If an individual does not receive the effective treatment for gingivitis, it can turn into a severe version of gum disease called periodontal disease.
When periodontal disease (also known as periodontitis) occurs, the gums will begin pulling away from the teeth, forming periodontal pockets of space. These pockets harbor bacteria and become severely infected, helping plaque and tartar continue to grow under the gumline. If one does not treat periodontal disease by contacting a periodontics provider in our office, it can begin to deteriorate the bones and connective tissue that make up the dental structure. Receding gums can occur and tooth loss is possible.

Fight Gum Disease With Help From a Periodontics Provider

The first step to fighting gum disease is a scaling and root planing, which is a deep cleaning that we perform on the gumline. During the scaling portion of the cleaning, we scrape off the tartar below the gumline and around it. During a root planing, we remove rough spots from the tooth roots. Germs grow in these rough spots. This procedure will help limit bleeding, inflammation, and discomfort.
We can also provide antibiotics or other medications that can fight infection and inflammation, as well as relieve discomfort. The medications we provide can work in conjunction with a scaling and root planing. If we feel as though your periodontal disease is not getting better or is causing serious problems, our periodontics provider may recommend other treatments, including surgical options. If you need treatments in addition to the less invasive ones we provide as a first defense, we can talk about your other options with you during your appointment.
To learn more about how we can help you fight gum disease, visit Pretlow L. Stevenson Jr DDS and Associates as soon as possible. The sooner you receive treatment, the sooner you can reverse the effects it has caused, or you can receive treatment to repair your gums and teeth.

Teeth Brushing Tips From Your Portsmouth Dentist

As a local Portsmouth dentist, we practice preventative care so that our patients can stay in excellent oral health and avoid common problems like cavities and gum disease. We begin by having the individual practice good oral hygiene at home and following it up with regular trips to our dentist office. During the appointment, we will remove any bacteria and plaque that you are unable to reach during regular brushing and flossing. There are, however, ways that you can increase the effectiveness of your daily health care routine.

Here are teeth brushing tips to try:

Start with the brush

In order to get a good clean, one needs to start with a good toothbrush. We recommend that patients use a soft toothbrush because a hard one can irritate your gums and start to strip the enamel way from the teeth. This can lead to sensitivity and can even make one's gums bleed.

Three months max

Do not use a toothbrush for more than three months. The toothbrush starts to become ineffective when one uses it for too long, causing the bristles break and fray. Upon noticing that the toothbrush looks like it is in good condition or has stains, make sure to replace it. Otherwise, use the three-month rule for buying a new one or replacing the head on an electronic toothbrush. As a Portsmouth dentist office, we also give out toothbrushes at teeth cleaning appointments.

Keep it dry

The toothbrush needs to stay dry and clean. If an individual goes to brush his or her teeth and it is wet, more bacteria may be lingering on the brush itself. Use a toothbrush holder so that the toothbrush can air out during the day.

Movement matters

An individual's tooth brushing technique can make a large difference in how clean the teeth get. Move the brush around in circles and go from top to bottom on the upper teeth, while also going from bottom to top on the lower teeth. This way, food and bacteria are brushed away from the gums and roots.

Brush it all

Many people make the mistake of only brushing the teeth when they need to actually brush their gumline as well. People also need to brush their tongue and the roof of their mouth, since these areas can harbor bacteria as well.

Toothpaste

Use toothpaste that has the American Dental Association seal. We also recommend using one with fluoride because it can help to strengthen teeth by placing minerals directly onto them.

Frequency.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day, more if possible. In the best case scenario, our patients would brush their teeth after every meal, floss daily, and use an antiseptic mouthwash. These habits will help to prevent both cavities and gum disease from forming.
We can help you to stay in good oral health by removing the bacteria and plaque that you were unable to get with at home care. Call (757) 397-5611 today to schedule your exam.

What to Expect When You Get a Filling and Your Dental Checkup

We often place fillings after a dental check-up multiple times in one day. While people understand the reason for having a dental filling, it is also one of the least liked procedures that we perform. A dental filling is the most common form of treatment for cavities, which form from the acid secretions of bacteria gradually eating away at the enamel of one's teeth. Eventually, the bacteria leads to forming a hole or a cavity. Bacteria, which naturally occur in the mouth, tend to colonize the teeth where they are visible as a thin film that is also known as plaque. After exposure to sugar and starch-rich foods, bacteria secrete an acid which forms the cavities in teeth.
Few people are aware that the teeth actually make an effort to fight decay and cavities. Using the minerals that occur in saliva, calcium, and phosphate, along with water, and fluoride, the teeth attempt to slowly rebuild the damaged or destroyed enamel. Unfortunately, in most cases this is not enough to prevent the decay and need for a dental filling.
While dental fillings are often part of a dental check-up, here at the clinic, there is nothing stale about the technology. We are constantly working to improve the dental fillings we offer, and in tandem with dental scientists around the world are able to make strides in that direction. Few patients remember, but not that long ago patients did not have as many options when it came to dental fillings. While gold and silver fillings were more common in the past, they were obvious and did not appear normal. Knowing that naturally colored fillings make our patients far more comfortable, we offer composite dental fillings in our Portsmouth office. These can also be whatever shade you want.
Aesthetics aside, dental scientists are working diligently to make sure that we have the best tools at our disposal. One of the major challenges with dental fillings is the need to remove contaminated enamel, along with the regular decay that has set into the tooth. This involves shaving away some enamel with the drill. Scientists who are working with the University of Maryland Dental School, are trying to solve this with a unique approach. Using silver nanoparticles and ammonia, the scientists hope to kill the bacteria at the site. The silver and ammonia, both of which are a natural antibacterial, are included in the filling, and the adhesive used to place the filling.
The idea is that if the filling can kill all the bacteria, the body can start to respond normally and the tooth can start to repair all the damage done to the tooth by the bacteria in the first place. Allowing a tooth to heal naturally is the next iteration in dental fillings. We can discuss all of your options during your next dental checkup in our Portsmouth dental office.

Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that understands, diagnoses and treats the diseases that affect the supporting structures of your teeth. These supporting structures include your gums, periodontal membranes, alveolar bone and other areas of your jawbone. You may need to visit a periodontics office if you develop gum disease, are at high risk of gum disease, or suffer complications due to gum disease.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, the most serious form of periodontal disease, is an infection that affects the supporting dental structure. Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss among adults, and it occurs in most adults. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), periodontal disease occurs in nearly 50 percent of adults. Once adults are 65-years-old, that percentage increases to 70 percent.
Gum disease occurs due to the buildup of bacteria and plaque along the edge of your gum line. Plaque eventually hardens into tartar and cannot be removed without the help of a dentist or periodontics office. If gum disease is not treated or stopped in its early stages, it develops into the more severe periodontal disease, characterized by the chronic inflammatory response of the gum tissues and supporting bone structure of your teeth. Symptoms of gum disease include periodontal pockets (gum pulls away from teeth, creating pockets), gum recession, loose teeth, exposed roots, gum inflammation and bleeding, and discomfort.
If this sounds familiar to you, you should visit a periodontics office immediately to reduce your risk of losing teeth and needing oral surgery.

Signs you need to visit a periodontics office

It is crucial to visit a periodontics office if:

• Gum disease runs in the family
• The patient is pregnant (women who are pregnant are more susceptible to gum disease due to an increase in natural bacteria)
• The gums are swollen, red and bleed when one brushes or flosses
• The patient notices that his or her breath is constantly foul-smelling, even after brushing
• The patient has a constant metallic taste in the mouth
• The gums are receding, showing more of the tooth
• There are pockets between the teeth and gums
• The teeth feel loose or like they are shifting in alignment
• One notices a weakness when chewing
• It is uncomfortable to eat
• The teeth are extra-sensitive to hot and cold temperatures
• An individual smokes or chews tobacco
• One has night grinding habits
• Once has diabetes, which results in higher levels of sugar in saliva

These signs that one needs to visit a periodontics office need to be taken seriously. Even if one does not have gum disease, there may be another dental structure issue that needs treatment. The American Academy of Periodontology recommends patients receive an all-inclusive periodontal evaluation from a dentist or periodontics office once a year. With the annual evaluation, the patient can ensure a periodontal disease does not develop because it was unnoticed in the beginning stages. If one develops gum disease, we can help fight it by providing the necessary periodontics treatment options.