Monthly Archives: September 2019

The ABCs of Wisdom Teeth | Palm Harbor Dentist

Wisdom teeth – it becomes a rite of passage as we mature into adults. For some it’s an easy journey; for others, not so much. Some people have all four wisdom teeth, others may only have a couple. Unfortunately, there seems to be no reliable predictor to determine how many wisdom teeth any given patient has prior to getting x-rays done. And you can certainly live a full life with or without wisdom teeth – until they’ve become problematic.

In many cases, wisdom teeth crowd other molars, grow in misaligned, or partially erupt from the gum. This is what causes pain, tenderness, and further alignment issues with other teeth. If they become impacted, bacteria can enter the gum tissue where it cannot be brushed or flossed, leading to significant decay of the tooth itself, as well as periodontal disease as the infection spreads to the surrounding gum tissue.

While not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, their potential for problems makes them likely candidates for extraction in many patients. The difficulty of extraction depends on many factors, such as number of wisdom teeth, their general alignment, and whether or not they’re compacting other teeth. If the wisdom teeth are fully erupted and visible, extraction may be simple; if the wisdom teeth are underneath the gums, the dentist or oral surgeon will need to cut into the gum to get to the teeth, which tends to be more invasive.

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort near the back of your mouth, or if you’ve been told you have wisdom teeth that may be problematic, speak to your dentist about the various options available to you.

If you’re interested in learning more about wisdom teeth, contact Dr. Larry Lieberman, DDS at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

Having Gum Disease Is Worse than You Think | Palm Harbor Dentist

We all want to be as healthy as we can possibly be, but there are times when things fall through the cracks. Gum disease is a dental condition that develops mainly from poor dental hygiene. And while most adults will have some form of gum disease in our lifetimes, it can be more detrimental to your health than you think. And not just your oral health – it turns out oral issues can be linked to other life-threatening diseases:

Heart disease. Individuals with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease. Harmful bacteria from your mouth enter your blood stream and attaches to fatty plaques in your heart’s blood vessels. Ultimately leading to inflammation in which makes you more prone to clots that may trigger heart attacks.

Memory loss. Researchers have found that there may be a close link to poor oral health with an increased risk of dementia. Oral bacteria may spread to the brain through cranial nerves that connect to the jaw and may contribute to a type of plaque that has been linked to Alzheimer’s.

Diabetes. Individuals with diabetes are more like to have periodontal disease than those without diabetes. Gum disease makes it harder to control you blood sugar, resulting in a high chance for diabetic issues.

Breathing issues. Individuals with poor hygiene are hurting their respiratory systems. Gum disease may increase your risk of respiratory infections such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Fertility. Women with gum disease take an average two months longer to conceive a child that those who don’t have gum disease.

If you’re interested in learning more about gum disease, contact Dr. Larry Lieberman, DDS at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.