Pericoronitis

Causes of Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis is a dental ailment that occurs when the gum tissue around the wisdom teeth, the final set of molars experienced in early adulthood, become infected and swollen. This occurs when there is not enough room in the mouth. Without the necessary room, the wisdom teeth will either partially or fully fail to erupt. Food and plaque will then get caught underneath the gums, causing irritation. If not removed Pericoronitis can occur.

 

At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, Dr. Frederick Shaw, D.D.S. can inspect your wisdom teeth to detect if they are coming in and check if they have punctured the gum line. Through an examination, any symptoms of swelling and infection can be investigated.

 

Symptoms of Pericoronitis

The main symptoms can include:

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  Swelling in the gums

  
  


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  Pain

  
  


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  Infection

  
  


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  A “sour” taste in the mouth

  
  


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  Swelling of the lymph nodes

  
  


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  Increased difficulty opening the mouth

  
  

 

Diagnosis and Treatment

If Pericoronitis is suspected, the first step will be to wash away the accumulated food causing the irritation. If the pain and swelling have not spread, the recommended treatment is to rinse your mouth with warm salt water. An antibacterial oral rinse may also be recommended. If swelling and pain are widespread, oral antibiotics will be prescribed. Over-the-counter pain relievers are also recommended.

 

Make sure to monitor the tooth closely after treatment. If symptoms are severe, or in the case of recurrent pericoronitis, oral surgery may be recommended to remove the wisdom tooth or gum flap.

 

If you experience any of these symptoms, specifically swelling and pain, make an appointment with Dr. Shaw right away. An untreated infection can spread into the throat and neck, restricting your ability to swallow and breathe. Thus, early prevention is key.

 

To learn more about our practice and the services we provide at our practice, visit www.fredrickshawdds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

 

Tooth Sensitivity

If you feel a shooting pain through your teeth when you bite into something cold, that indicates a problem with your dental health. We’ve restored a lot of teeth at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, so we know the warning signs of deteriorating enamel. If you want to protect your teeth and their function, read on.

Natural teeth contain a nerve in their pulp. Dentin, a yellow-grey porous substance, surrounds the pulp, and heat can easily be transferred through it out of the nerve. The crown of the tooth is mostly made up of enamel, a thick mineral substance that insulates dentin, while the tooth root is made of cementum, a thin substance that helps the root adhere to gum tissue. If enamel erodes or gum tissue recedes, the tooth will be more sensitive to sudden changes in temperature.

Although it is possible for enamel erosion to result from mechanical stress, most instances are caused by exposure to acid. Oral bacteria secrete acid as they metabolize sugar, and the acid becomes stuck in the gum pocket and in a natural tooth’s biofilm. Patients will have to improve their brushing to reduce sensitivity and switch to toothpaste with extra fluoridation. If they have a partial denture, they may also want to consult with us to ensure they are cleaning it correctly. (Oral appliances should not be cleaned with fluoridated toothpaste or they may get scratched.) Patients should also avoid drinks that are acidic, such as soda and citrus juice.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.

 

Alzheimer's and Gum Disease

We frequently see the effect gum disease has on dental stability at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group. Weakened gum tissue makes it easier for teeth to fall out and implants to fail. But teeth aren’t the only things imperiled by gum disease. New research has shown a link between Alzheimer’s disease and oral bacteria, drawing new attention to how closely tied oral health is to the rest of the body.

Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the bacteria species that causes gum disease, defends itself against white blood cells by secreting toxic enzymes called gingipains. Although gingipains are common, scientists found them at elevated levels in the brains and spinal fluid of people who displayed symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Further research determined that gingipains trigger the creation of neural plaque, which disrupts brain function and leads to Alzheimer’s.

In the past few months, new research was published on the movement of P. gingivalis in living humans. Scientists found evidence that P. gingivalis can travel from the mouth to the brain and that it likely speeds the development of Alzheimer’s. Although they do not believe the gum disease is the sole cause of neural plaque formation, it does seem to be a significant contributor. People with Alzheimer’s are also less able to care for their gum health, creating a vicious circle. We encourage all our patients to maintain regular dental appointments so they can get deep cleanings and to carefully monitor themselves for signs of gingivitis. Their teeth aren’t all that’s on the line.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.

 

Prosthodontics and Cleft Palate

Not everybody who gets an artificial tooth is replacing one that fell out; some people are getting teeth where there hadn’t been any previously. At the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, we work closely with other doctors to care for children with facial deformities such as cleft palates. These patients will need several procedures over the course of their development to be able to enjoy the full use of their jaws.

When a part of the upper palate was missing at birth, the teeth may come in misaligned even after initial corrective surgery. They may be difficult to speak or eat with or to keep clean. Orthodontic therapy is often required to move them out of the way in preparation for an implant. Once orthodontic therapy is complete, the patient may need a larger bone graft to fill in the gap in their jaw bone and create something for an implant to anchor to. The new bone material may be taken from another part of the patient’s mouth or be made of material taken from a donor or synthesized in a laboratory. The process of integrating new tissue will take some months, during which a patient may wear a temporary denture.

Once the new bone tissue is integrated, an implant post may be placed. For a single tooth, this process could also take a few months, after which an artificial crown may be loaded onto it. Another option is to make a permanent partial denture or bridge, which may be desirable if more than one tooth needs to be restored. Having a full set of teeth will greatly improve a patient’s oral health, as well as their self-confidence and quality of life.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.