Wisdom Teeth Removal

At Dr. Martin Urban, DDS we often extract wisdom teeth when they begin to protrude through your gums. In rare cases, wisdom teeth will grow in naturally and are properly aligned.

For most patients, wisdom teeth are misaligned and grow in on an angle, which can cause dental crowding or damage to the jawbone or nerves. If your wisdom teeth only partially erupt through your gums, more bacteria can develop on them. We encourage our patients to have their wisdom teeth removed when this happens otherwise you are at a greater risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

Any wisdom teeth that are causing pain or infections need to be removed immediately to prevent your teeth from being damaged. After your wisdom teeth are removed, you will be limited to soft foods for a couple of days until the swelling goes down.

If you have any questions or concerns about your wisdom teeth, please give us a call. To learn more about the treatment provided at the dental practice of Dr. Martin Urban, DDS, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640.

Soda And Your Teeth

Soda is becoming increasingly harmful to teeth and to enamel. With the average person drinking around 16 ounces a day, the chances of acids and sugar becoming damaging to teeth is high. With high numbers of acid and sugar in soda and sports drinks, keeping your teeth clean becomes extremely difficult.

Water is always the best thing to drink for your oral health. It not only helps to keep your body healthy, but cleans your teeth and gums with every sip! Avoiding acidic drinks has proven positive effects that go beyond teeth and help your body be as healthy as possible. Many people look for caffiene at some point in the day, whether it’s from sodas or an energy drink, but finding an alternative such as tea, water, or juice will go a long way for your oral hygiene.

At Martin Urban DDS we recommend patients limit their soda consumption as much as possible and rinse their mouth out with water while brushing your teeth. It is also recommended you stop in to get a cleaning and help preserve those pearly whites.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

Gum Disease and Cirrhosis

As specialists in implants, we at the dental office of Dr. Marin Urban are particularly concerned about anything that could exacerbate gum disease. When gingivitis turns into periodontal disease, the integrity of the tooth roots or implant posts can be imperiled. But we also know that oral health is closely tied to overall wellness, and we wanted to share an exciting new study that found treating gum disease can also reduce the harmful effects of liver inflammation.

Cirrhosis is the term doctors use to describe the development of scar tissue on the liver. When the liver has been inflamed long enough to develop scar tissue, it is no longer an effective filter for toxins from the bloodstream. As a result, the patient’s immune system triggers the inflammation response elsewhere in the body, including the brain. Cognitive fog and mood swings are common results. Gum disease exists at particularly high rates in people with cirrhosis. This is partly explained by both resulting from smoking and alcohol, but it was less clear why gum disease would be disproportionately common in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Bacteria that cause gum disease have been found in the livers of cirrhosis patients. Recently, researchers conducted an experiment in which patients with both diseases were given gum cleanings at different times. The results were that cirrhosis symptoms such as cognitive fog and suppressed anti-inflammatory bacteria count improved following dental treatment. While we’re still learning more about the effect of oral bacteria on the rest of the body, we hope our patients will understand why dentistry is so important.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

Basic Dental Instruments

We provide advanced dental and periodontal restorations at the office of Dr. Martin Urban, but we want our patients to feel fully included in all our decisions. Many people suffering from severe tooth or gum decay feel apprehensive about visiting the dentist. They may feel a sense of helplessness born of an inability to describe what is happening; in which case we think it would be good for them to learn some of the language we use to describe our basic instruments.

When patients go to any kind of dentist, they can expect a hygienist to clean their teeth. The two tools the hygienist uses most are the handheld mirror and the explorer. The explorer, which can also be called a probe, is the wand with metal hooks on either end. The hooks come in different shapes for different tasks. Some are used to inspect the hardness of enamel and the cleanliness of the gum pockets. The explorer is also used to break apart hardened calculus, which is removed with a suction hose called an evacuator. This is the tube hygienists ask patients to close their lips around.

Sometimes, a dental extraction is necessary. Prior to removing a tooth, the patient will be numbed with local anesthetic delivered through a syringe. Inducing full unconsciousness is usually not necessary. A flattened spoon called an elevator will be slid between the tooth and the gum pocket and used to loosen it by rocking it back and forth. It can then be removed with reverse-action forceps.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

Swelling after Extractions

We’ve provided lots of people with replacement teeth at the office of Dr. Martin Urban, but sometimes teeth need to be extracted before new ones can be put in. When a tooth is severely compromised or causing overcrowding, a patient may be glad to be rid of it. But they will likely have to deal with some swelling after the procedure, so they should know what to expect.

When a tooth is extracted, the empty socket will briefly be exposed before the blood clots and seals it off. The immune system will trigger inflammation at the extraction site to prevent the migration of harmful bacteria and to concentrate while blood cells. Swelling following a simple extraction is usually not as severe as following one in which incisions were made, but the patient should try to minimize it by applying cold packs. A cold pack should be applied for no more than fifteen minutes at a time, with fifteen minutes allowed to pass between applications.

Swelling should peak within three days. A patient should call for advice if it does not. After swelling has peaked, they may try reducing it with heat packs, again using the fifteen-on, fifteen-off rule. The patient should schedule an emergency appointment if they are in pain or the extraction site turns black or white, but in most cases, the swelling completely recedes within a week. Follow-up examinations are common at this point.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

Acid Reflux

It’s the time of year for feasting, and for that, the teeth better be in good working order. We’re proud to have provided many people with dental restorations at the office of Dr. Martin Urban, but artificial teeth have to be protected from acidic erosion, just like natural ones. Tooth decay is one potential source of harm, but there is another party-goers should beware of: acid reflux.

Sometimes, the sphincter that separates the stomach from the esophagus accidentally opens, allowing acid to escape upwards. When this happens more than twice a week, it is called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The burning sensation of acid in the esophagus is misleadingly called heartburn. Stomach acid is highly corrosive, and when it enters the mouth, it wears away enamel. Natural teeth being eroded by acid reflux will turn a chalky color and become more sensitive, with the inward-facing sides of the upper teeth being the worst affected. Plastic dentures can also be eroded, requiring them to be replaced.

Acid reflux can often be prevented by changes in lifestyle such as the cessation of smoking. Patients are also advised to avoid eating before bed or while reclining and to limit their intake of alcohol, red meat, spice, onions and garlic, chocolate, and citric acid. Saliva helps to combat acid, so patients might want to ask their doctors about switching away from medications that cause dry mouth.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is primarily used to treat receding gums, especially where tooth has been exposed. When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and stretch, forming little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out, they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede. Dr. Martin Urban, DDS can help you correct this by repairing deficient gums with a gum graft. 

A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the graft.  Gum grafting can be performed when receding gums become unsightly, or to cover teeth that have been exposed by receding gums and become much more sensitive.  If you think you could benefit from a gum graft, please contact us.

To learn more about gum grafting and all the other treatments provided at the dental practice of Dr. Martin Urban, DDS, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640.