Month: May 2020

Hyperdontia is a condition where there is excessive growth of teeth in your mouth. The extra teeth are called supernumerary teeth. These extra teeth can grow in any part of the dental arches, which is the curved area where the teeth and the jaw are attached.

Hyperdontia is not age, gender, or race-specific, but it is more common in people with cleft lip, Gardner’s syndrome, or children with Down Syndrome. Thus, anyone suffering from Hyperdontia without these diseases is considered to be abnormal. Now depending upon the location and morphology of the extra teeth, Hyperdontia can be categorized into two types-

Paramolar Hyperdontia- When the growth of extra teeth occurs beside the molar teeth, they are named as Paramolar Hyperdontia. They are generally not developed completely.

Mesiodens Hyperdontia- This type is more common and consists of growing extra teeth between the two upper central incisors. Based on the shape of the tooth, this can be further classified into-

• Eumorphic
• Dysmorphic

Symptoms and Causes of Hyperdontia

The apparent symptom of Hyperdontia is the extra teeth growing anywhere in the dental arch. Generally, it is not painful, but in some cases, the crowding of teeth can cause additional pressure on the jaws and gums, leading to swollen and sore gums. It also causes disorientation of teeth, which will bring change in the looks of the sufferer. Nonetheless, more than the required pair of teeth cause a hindrance to the speech and eating habits.

Even though a lot of research has to be done before concluding every cause of the Hyperdontia, still there are two main factors responsible for the same-

• Genetic factors- Parents with supernumerary teeth are prone to have a child with the same disease.
• Environmental factors( The exact cause or the triggering element is still unknown).

Treatment of hyperdontia

The earlier it is diagnosed, the better it is treated. Though completely grown extra teeth can easily present the problem, it is still difficult to guess the issue at an early stage. The experts suggest that it can be diagnosed at the age of 2 or onwards. All you need to do is to be attentive while taking the child’s care, instead of overlooking the small details of their body.

Well, in some cases, hyperdontia need not be treated, but in few others, those extra teeth cause hindrance to the regular processes, thus arising the need to be removed. Here are a few conditions, where a dentist will recommend you to remove the supernumerary teeth-

• When you have a genetic condition making the extra teeth to appear
• When you can’t chew the food properly, and the extra teeth cut the mouth while eating
• When the extra teeth cause discomfort or uneasiness
• When you are not able to brush or floss your teeth because of Hyperdontia leading to gum diseases and cavities
• When you feel self-conscious about your looks because of the extra teeth.

If the extra teeth are creating problems in eating, chewing, brushing, or in the growth of the permanent teeth, it is suggested to remove them as soon as possible. Otherwise, they can create long-lasting painful effects.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

When it comes to managing our body health, water plays an essential role and it also makes a difference in our oral health. We are advised to take proper intake of water to prevent dehydration, but many people are confused about what to consume: Bottled water or tap water? Now both of them have their pros and cons, but when it comes to considering their effect on dental health, the ingredient creating difference is Fluoride.

Bottled water and tap water: pros and cons

Bottled water has been a savior whenever we go out and crave to consume chilled drops of water. These bottles are at least better than the soda or other sugary drinks and are appropriately sealed, making them safe to drink. Moreover, they are handy and can be taken anywhere along.

However, if we consider the environmental effects of these bottles, we can have numerous reasons to avoid them. They enter the food chain by breaking in the environment, having adverse impacts on wildlife and humans as well. Plus, these bottles are made of plastics having chemicals like BPA, which can cause harm to the body. In addition to this, knowing the fact that anything kept in plastic for long may turn toxic due to the leaching effect of the plastic, we cannot put ourselves at risk.

In comparison to bottled water, tap water is inexpensive and has no added chemicals like that of plastic packaging. Along with this, tap water is treated for the microorganisms at various phases, unlike the water in packed bottles, for which there is no strict law and check. However, in emergencies and during natural disasters like cyclones, we depend upon bottled water to quench our thirst and do necessary water-related activities.

Comparing in terms of Fluoride

When it comes to measuring the value of water for the teeth, the best parameter is the amount of Fluoride, which is a crucial mineral for healthy teeth. One needs to know that the soil and water naturally contain this mineral. Still, when the bottled water is prepared, the Fluoride and other minerals are treated to bring the desired taste, which devoids it of the required value. But this is not the case with the tap water. Even after the essential treatments, some amount of Fluoride remains in the water, which makes it an appropriate choice for our teeth.

Now talking about the intake of water in terms of oral health, the type makes no significant difference except the amount of Fluoride in it. That is why, when you buy a bottle to drink water next time, check the label for the Fluoride content. An average of 0.7 to 1.7 ppm is enough. You can even call the toll free number provided in the label to query about the same. Otherwise, it is always better to carry the water, which is home filtered.

With the above piece of information, you can judge the suitability of water for oral health and decide which one to consume: bottled water or tap water?

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

With kids going through growth and development, they often engage in rough-and-tumble activities that lead to dental emergencies often. A tooth emergency can happen to any child at any time. Situations may vary as your child might fail and break out a tooth or may bite the inside of her cheek or tongue to the point of swelling. Depending on the condition, it is essential to visit a reliable pediatric dentist to fix the problem.

Here are some tips suggested by expert dentists to do when your children lose baby teeth, experiencing teeth pain, and other various dental problems.

Sudden Teething Pain: Normally, it happens in babies that are between the age of four months to two and a half years. The cause of teething can be excessive drooling, soft gums, and frequent irritation. According to dental experts, giving a lot of fluids to kids who are undergoing teething pain can bring relief to them. You can even give your baby a cold teething ring, or carefully rubbing the gums with your finger can make them feel better.

Knocks Out a Permanent Tooth: Firstly, try to stay as calm as possible! Your child is already in a tough situation, and seeing your panic can worsen the case for them. Keep the situation under control by comforting them and diverting their minds off the accident. Once your child is calm, locate the tooth and pick it up without touching the root. If the tooth is not dirty or broken, you can attempt to reinsert it into your child’s mouth. Next, tell them to hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean cloth. However, if the tooth is dirty or broken, you can’t reinsert it instead schedule a quick appointment with your dentist to examine the further condition.

Bleeding Gums or Tongue: A cut or bitten cheek, tongue, or lip is extremely painful for a child. It can lead to excessive swelling or bleeding, which can bring a lot of discomfort to your baby. To relieve the pain, you can apply direct pressure to the wound and stop the bleeding. If there is swelling, make sure to use a cold compress or offer them a popsicle.

Severe Toothache: While growing up, a toothache is quite common in children though sometimes it is too much to handle. During such cases, you can try to soothe the ache by offering them a warm salt water rinse. If your dentist has recommended any medicine for pain, you can give that to ease their irritation as well.

Don’t Scare your Kids, Comfort Them

Children are known to adapt what they see or observe around, which is why your actions and reactions play a crucial part in dental emergencies. It can be hard to stay calm when seeing your child in pain, but try your best as it will keep them calm and composed too. Regardless of the dental problem your child has, make sure to always consult your well-trusted dentist for further assistance and guidance. They will ensure to offer your child a quick assessment and pain-free treatment as per the condition.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.