What Are Receding Gums And What Causes Them?

Dr. Robert L. Bass D.D.S.

Receding gums (commonly misspelled as receeding gums), also known as gingival recession, describes the loss of gum tissue, potentially exposing the roots of one’s teeth. It generally happens the most to people in their 40s and older, but can sometimes start in the teen years. It is one of the main indicators of periodontal disease.

Some causes of receding gums include:

- Brushing too hard with a toothbrush that has hard bristles.
- Periodontal disease
- Lack of adequate flossing and/or brushing.
- Chewing tobacco. This affects the mucus membrane lining in the oral cavity
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Adult orthodontic moving of the teeth
- Lip or tongue piercings can wear away the part of the gum that rubs against them
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), an ingredient that is in most toothpastes
- An uncommon cause is an adult tooth not growing out of the right place in the gum

Some receding gums symptoms include the following:

- The teeth may be sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, sour, and spicy sensations.
- Teeth may look longer than normal.
- Roots of the teeth may be seen.
- Tooth may feel notched at the gum line
- Teeth discoloration (due to the difference between the color of the enamel and cementum)- Spaces appear between teeth due to the gums not being there anymore
- Cavities below gum line

If receding gums are caused by gingivitis, you may also have these symptoms:


- Swollen/inflamed, red, or puffy gums
- Gum bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Bad breath

If you are having the aforementioned problems, please contact our office about an oral evaluation.

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Facial Injury - Prevention, The Best Policy

Dr. Marc Salomone D. D. S.

We treat numerous facial injuries each year through surgical intervention. Quite a few of these injuries ccur during sports participation and accidents. Because avoiding injury is always best, we advocate the use of automobile seat belts, protective mouth guards, and appropriate masks and helmets for everyone who participates in athletic pursuits at any level. You don’t have to play at the professional level to sustain a serious head injury. New innovations in helmet and mouth and face guard technology have made these devices comfortable to wear and very effective in protecting the vulnerable maxillofacial area. Make sure your family is well-protected. If you play the sport, make the following safety gear part of your standard athletic equipment:

Football: Helmets with face guards and mouth guards should be worn. Many of the helmets manufactured for younger players have plastic face guards that can be bent back into the face and cause injury. These should be replaced by carbon steel wire guards.

Baseball: A catcher should always wear a mask. Batting helmets with a clear molded plastic face guard are now available; these can also be worn while fielding.

Ice Hockey: Many ice hockey players are beginning to wear cage-like face guards attached to their helmets. These are superior to the hard plastic face masks worn by some goalies, as the face guard and the helmet take the pressure of a blow instead of the face. For extra protection, both face and mouth guards — including external mouth guards made of hard plastic and secured with straps — can be worn.

Wrestling: More and more high school athletic associations require wrestlers to wear head gear. A strap with a chin cup holds the gear in place and helps steady the jaw. Recently, face masks have been developed for wrestlers, who should also wear mouth guards.

Boxing: Mouth guards are mandatory in this sport. A new pacifier-like mouth guard for boxers has been designed with a thicker front, including air holes to aid breathing.

Lacrosse: Hard plastic helmets resembling baseball batting helmets, with wire cage face masks, are manufactured for this sport.

Field Hockey: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend that athletes participating in this sport wear mouth guards. Goalies can receive extra protection by wearing Lacrosse helmets.

Soccer: Soccer players should wear mouth guards for protection. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons advise goalies to also wear helmets.

Biking: All riders should wear lightweight bike helmets to protect their heads. Scooters and Skateboarders: Bike helmets are also recommended for those who ride two-wheeled scooters and skateboards.

Skiing and Snowboarding: The recent surge in accidents among skiers and snowboarders has encouraged many safety conscious participants to wear lightweight helmets that will protect the maxillofacial area in the event of a fall or crash.

Horseback Riding: A helmet and mouth guard are recommended for horseback riding, particularly if the rider is traveling cross-country or plans to jump the horse.

Basketball, Water Polo, Handball, Rugby, Karate, Judo, and Gymnastics:Participants in these sports should be fitted with mouth guards.

A Word about Mouth Guards

New synthetic materials and advances in engineering and design have produced mouth guards that are sturdier yet lightweight enough to allow the wearer to breathe easily. Mouth guards can vary from the inexpensive “boil and bite” models to custom-fabricated guards made by dentists, which can be adapted to the sport and are generally more comfortable.

A mouth protector should be evaluated from the standpoint of retention, comfort, ability to speak and breathe, tear resistance and protection provided to the teeth, gums and lips.

There are five criteria to consider when being fitted for a mouth protector. The device should be:

1. fitted so that it does not misalign the jaw and throw off the bite
2. lightweight
3. strong
4. easy to clean
5. should cover the upper and/or lower teeth and gums

By encouraging sports enthusiasts at every level of play to wear mouth guards and other protective equipment, oral and maxillofacial surgeons hope to help change the “face” of sports.

In the event a facial or mouth injury occurs that requires a trip to the emergency room, the injured athlete, his parent or coach should be sure to ask that our office is called for consultation. We are the specialists most qualified to deal with these types of injuries. In some cases, we may even detect a “hidden” injury that might otherwise go unnoticed.

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Why Choose An Oral Surgeon For Your Dental Implants

Dr. Robert L. Bass  D.D.S.

Dental implants have become the clear choice for replacing single or multiple missing teeth. Although the procedure is extremely technical, when performed by an experienced oral surgeon, the results are typically very predictable. As you begin to explore your options with dental implants in Palm Springs/Palm Desert, you can be confident that our oral surgeons have the expertise to permanently restore your smile.

The dental implant procedure is an amazing combination of science and cosmetics. After extensively reviewing your medical history, your oral surgeon will implant a surgical grade titanium post into your jaw bone. Using state of the art imaging technology, the oral surgeon can evaluate the anatomical curvatures of your bone in order to identify the exact location for your implant.

When the jaw bone is not dense enough to support an implant, your oral surgeon may suggest a bone grafting procedure to improve stability.

During the planning and placement of your implant, the oral surgeon will pay particular attention to the esthetic aspects of the procedure. How will the implant be angled to align with the neighboring teeth? How is the jaw bone shaped near the implant? Does the gum tissue look healthy and natural around the implant? These aspects are just as important as the clinical success of the implant. You deserve a tooth replacement solution that is both strong and beautiful.

By trusting our oral surgeons to restore your smile, you have access to a specialist who possesses a wealth of knowledge. In addition to completing four years of dental school, oral surgeons receive specialized education and hospital residencies in cardiology, internal medicine, plastic surgery, and anesthesia. With the ability to combine dental procedures with surgical expertise, an oral surgeon is the most likely specialist to deliver superior implant dentistry.

Maybe you have been curious about the ways that dental implants can improve your smile. Perhaps you have questions about how to proceed with your choice to replace your missing teeth. If so, then call our dental implant team at 760-327-1509 to schedule a consultation today.

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The Connection Between Bone Disease And Oral Health

Dr. Robert L. Bass D.D.S.

Have you taken a close look at your teeth lately? Can they tell you more about your overall health than you might realize? While regular flossing and brushing are great practices to employ, if you take a closer look at your teeth, they may have a hidden message for you.


Studies have shown that periodontal disease affects nearly 80 percent of both men and women in the United States. This is a chronic infection that targets the gums and the bones supporting the teeth. Bacteria, coupled with the body’s own immune system, can begin to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place. 


Some studies have shown a relationship between bone loss, periodontitis, and tooth loss, noting that it is quite possible that the loss of alveolar bone mineral density makes the bones more susceptible to the bacteria of periodontitis, which increases the risk of tooth loss.

Research has shown a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw. The jaw plays an important role in supporting the teeth and anchoring them into position. When the jaw bone becomes brittle and less dense due to the effects of osteoporosis, this can affect the strength of the teeth.


The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has indicated through its research that dental X-rays may be used as a way to screen for osteoporosis. It has been shown through research that dental X-rays have been quite effective in showing which patients have osteoporosis versus those with normal bone density.


Since most people are in contact more frequently with their dentist than with their primary care physician, dentists are in a position where they can recognize patients with low bone density and encourage those individuals to seek consultation with their doctors about their bone health. The types of dental concerns that may be indicative of low bone density include loose teeth, receding gums or gums that have already detached from the teeth, and ill-fitting or loose dentures.


It is not known yet whether or not the treatments for osteoporosis have the same benefits on oral health concerns as they do on other bones in the body, but scientists are hopeful that efforts to treat overall skeletal bone density will have a direct and promising impact on dental health.


Of course, taking steps to prevent osteoporosis include eating a well-balanced diet that is full of calcium and vitamin D. Be sure to get plenty of exercise or engage in regular physical activity. Walking, jogging, dancing, and weight training are ideal weight-bearing exercises that serve to keep bones strong and healthy. Avoid smoking and limit how much alcohol you consume. If you do notice any problems in your dental health, most notably loose teeth, receding gum lines, or dentures that do not seem to fit properly, contact not only us but your doctor as well. We can help you get back on track to a healthier you!


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The Case Of The Missing Tooth From The Hangover

Many of you have probably seen the movie The Hangover where Ed Helms plays Stu Price a dentist with a rather controlling girlfriend.  During the festivities in the movie Stu pulls his own tooth to “show” his buddies that he is indeed a good dentist. 

So, what happened to the tooth in real life?

The film crew decided that blacking out a tooth just wasn’t realistic enough and where thinking about scrapping the whole idea of the missing tooth.  Ed Helms had a dental implant surgically placed in his mouth when he was in his teens. 

Mr. Helms went to visit his real-life oral surgeon during filming and asked how difficult it would be to remove the 20 year old implant and whether there would be any complications.  His surgeon was totally into the idea so he removed the dental implant.  The comedy bit was saved and the missing tooth looked totally believable because it was real.

So, if you are in Palm Springs, CA and you need a tooth replaced or removed (even if you are not in a movie) make an appointment for a dental implant consultation.

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Study Suggests That The Antioxidants In Green Tea May Help Reduce Periodontal Disease

With origins dating back over 4,000 years, green tea has long been a popular beverage in Asian culture, and is increasingly gaining popularity in the United States. And while ancient Chinese and Japanese medicine believed green tea consumption could cure disease and heal wounds, recent scientific studies are beginning to establish the potential health benefits of drinking green tea, especially in weight loss, heart health, and cancer prevention. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology uncovered yet another benefit of green tea consumption. Researchers found that routine intake of green tea may also help promote healthy teeth and gums. The study analyzed the periodontal health of 940 men, and found that those who regularly drank green tea had superior periodontal health than subjects that consumed less green tea. Study Abstract *

“It has been long speculated that green tea possesses a host of health benefits,” said study author Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. “And since many of us enjoy green tea on a regular basis, my colleagues and I were eager to investigate the impact of green tea consumption on periodontal health, especially considering the escalating emphasis on the connection between periodontal health and overall health.”

Male participants aged 49 through 59 were examined on three indicators of periodontal disease: periodontal pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) of gum tissue, and bleeding on probing (BOP) of the gum tissue. Researchers observed that for every one cup of green tea consumed per day, there was a decrease in all three indicators, therefore signifying a lower instance of periodontal disease in those subjects who regularly drank green tea.

Green tea’s ability to help reduce symptoms of periodontal disease may be due to the presence of the antioxidant catechin. Previous research has demonstrated antioxidants’ ability to reduce inflammation in the body, and the indicators of periodontal disease measured in this study, PD, CAL and BOP, suggest the existence of an inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria in the mouth. By interfering with the body’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria, green tea may actually help promote periodontal health, and ward off further disease. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, and has been associated with the progression of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

“Periodontists believe that maintaining healthy gums is absolutely critical to maintaining a healthy body,” says Dr. David Cochran, DDS, PhD, President of the AAP and Chair of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. “That is why it is so important to find simple ways to boost periodontal health, such as regularly drinking green tea—something already known to possess certain health-related benefits.”

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How To Keep A Healthy Smile For Life

Dr. Marc Salomone D.D.S

People are living longer and healthier lives. And, older adults also are more likely to keep their teeth for a lifetime than they were a decade ago. However, studies indicate that older people have the highest rates of periodontal disease and need to do more to maintain good oral health.

Whatever your age, it's important to keep your mouth clean, healthy and feeling good. And it's important to know the state of your periodontal health.

• Almost one out of four people age 65 and older have lost all of their teeth.
• Receding gum tissue affects the majority of older people.
• Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the leading causes of tooth loss in older adults.

What you may not realize is that oral health is not just important for maintaining a nice-looking smile and being able to eat corn on the cob. Good oral health is essential to quality of life. Consider a few of the reasons:

• Every tooth in your mouth plays an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth.
• A major cause of failure in joint replacements is infection, which can travel to the site of the replacement from the mouth in people with periodontal disease.
• People with dentures or loose and missing teeth often have restricted diets since biting into fresh fruits and vegetables is often not only difficult, but also painful. This likely means they don't get proper nutrition.
• Most men and women age 65 and older report that a smile is very important to a person's appearance. LI>And, maybe most importantly, recent research has advanced the idea that periodontal disease is linked to a number of major health concerns such as heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and diabetes.

While your likelihood of developing periodontal disease increases with age, the good news is that research suggests that these higher rates may be related to risk factors other than age. So, periodontal disease is not an inevitable aspect of aging. Risk factors that may make older people more susceptible include general health status, diminished immune status, medications, depression, worsening memory, diminished salivary flow, functional impairments and change in financial status.

Medications and Oral Side Effects

Older adults are likely to take medications that can impact oral health and affect dental treatment. Hundreds of common medications - including antihistamines, diuretics, pain killers, high blood pressure medications and antidepressants - can cause side effects such as dry mouth, soft tissue changes, taste changes, and gingival overgrowth.

Dry mouth leaves the mouth without enough saliva to wash away food and neutralize plaque, leaving you more susceptible to tooth decay and periodontal disease. In addition, dry mouth can cause sore throat, problems with speaking, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Your dentist or periodontist can recommend various methods to restore moisture, including sugarless gum, oral rinses or artificial saliva products.

Be sure to tell your periodontist and other dental professionals about any medications that you are taking, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications.

Special Concerns for Older Women

Women who are menopausal or post-menopausal may experience changes in their mouths.

Recent studies suggest that estrogen deficiency could place post-menopausal women at higher risk for severe periodontal disease and tooth loss.

In addition, hormonal changes in older women may result in discomfort in the mouth, including dry mouth, pain and burning sensations in the gum tissue and altered taste, especially salty, peppery or sour.

In addition, menopausal gingivostomatitis affects a small percentage of women. Gums that look dry or shiny, bleed easily and range from abnormally pale to deep red mark this condition.

Most women find that estrogen supplements help to relieve these symptoms.

Bone loss is associated with both periodontal disease and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis could lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone that supports the teeth may be decreased. More research is being done to determine if and how a relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal disease exists. Women considering Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to help fight osteoporosis should note that this may help protect their teeth as well as other parts of the body.

Dental Implants

More and more older people are selecting dental implants over dentures as a replacement option for lost teeth. Whether you have lost one or all of your teeth, dental implants allow you to have teeth that look and feel just like your own.

Older adults have similar success rate with implants compared with younger people. As long as you're in good health and your periodontist can restore healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant, you're never too old to receive a dental implant.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

In addition, dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Therefore, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompanies bridgework and dentures and preserve the integrity of facial features. When teeth are missing, the bone which previously supported these teeth begins to deteriorate. This can result in dramatic changes in your appearance, such as increased wrinkles around the mouth and lips that cave in and lose their natural shape.

Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of your dental implant team. Not only do periodontists have experience working with other dental professionals, they also have the special knowledge, training and facilities that you need to have teeth that look and feel just like your own.

Talk with your periodontist to find out if dental implants are an option for you.

Denture Care

Denture wearers need to avoid plaque buildup that can irritate the tissues under the dentures. Thoroughly clean dentures daily and remove dentures at night to avoid bacteria growth. If you wear dentures, you need to continue to see a dental professional regularly. Because mouths continually change, dentures need to be checked for proper fit to avoid irritation, increased bone loss and infections. A change in the fit of partial dentures could indicate periodontal disease.

Perfecting Your Smile

Cosmetic periodontal procedures are not just for people in their 20s and 30s. You can have the smile you desire at any age.

A study by the American Dental Association and Oral-B in 1998 found that nearly half of survey respondents age 65and older selected a smile as the first thing they notice about people. Almost 80 percent in this age group also reported that a smile is very important to a person's appearance.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Even if you've managed to avoid periodontal disease until now, it is especially important to practice a meticulous oral care routine as you age. Receding gum tissue affects a large percentage of older people. This condition exposes the roots of teeth and makes them more vulnerable to decay and periodontal infection.

To keep your teeth for a lifetime, you must remove the plaque from your teeth and gums every day with proper brushing and flossing. Regular dental visits are also important. Daily cleaning will help keep calculus formation to a minimum, but it won't completely prevent it. A professional cleaning at least twice a year is necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush and floss may have missed.

If you have dexterity problems or a physical disability, you may find it difficult to use your toothbrush or dental floss. Your dentist or periodontist can suggest options such as an electric toothbrush or floss holder or a toothbrush with a larger handle.

Treating Periodontal Disease

In the earlier stages of periodontal disease, most of the treatment involves scaling and root planing, which means removing plaque and calculus in the pockets around the tooth and smoothing the root surfaces. In most cases of early periodontal disease, scaling and root planing and proper daily home care are all that are required for a satisfactory result. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment.

Once you've been treated for periodontal disease, periodontal maintenance procedures or supportive periodontal therapy enables you to gain control of the disease and increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth. In additional to a dental examination, a thorough periodontal evaluation is performed. Harmful bacterial plaque and calculus are then removed from above and below the gum line. If necessary, root planing may be used to smooth root surfaces that are infected. In addition, we can review your at-home oral hygiene routine and suggest modifications tailored for your condition.

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Six Signs of Periodontal Disease

Dr. Robert L. Bass D.D.S.

Many people are completely unaware that they even have periodontal disease. Prior to the occurrence of a pain and a major symptom, this problem may have already begun. For people who don’t get a dental checkup every six months, they may be well on their way to losing their teeth and to contributing to other significant health problems. Prior to this problem becoming severe, there are six easy ways to tell if it is a problem for you.

The Six Signs of Periodontal Disease:

1. Halitosis that refuses to go away.
2. Swollen or red gums.
3. Bleeding or tender.
4. Chewing that is painful
5. Loose teeth
6. Sensitive teeth

The first sign of periodontal disease is bad breath that won’t go away. If you have chronic bad breath, make sure to rule out a systemic disease, like diabetes. There are other causes of bad breath that not be the result of periodontal disease such as medication and diet. There are also some sources of bad breath that can come from the stomach, sinus, and lungs. These factors should also be considered. But, because the majority of the population suffers from periodontal disease, that is the most likely that bad breath.

Red or purple gums that are swollen are another sign of periodontal disease, especially the gums around the teeth. The surface of healthy gums show stippling and are pink. 

Gums that bleed easily and are tender to the touch is another sign of periodontal disease. The gums shouldn't bleed when flossing or brushing. Gums that bleed are an indication that infection is setting in.

Another sign of periodontal disease is chewing that is painful. A sharp pain that is located in only one tooth may be the need for a root canal, a cracked tooth, or a cavity. Non localized or overall pain is usually the result of periodontal disease.

Loose teeth in the mouth from periodontal disease are the result of deposits of plaque under and along the gum line around the bone of the teeth. The bone will begin to deteriorate and the tooth loses its support in the jaw. 

The, pockets will form around the tooth and collect further bacteria and thus exacerbate the problem.

Teeth that are sensitive to cold air, sour, sweet, cold, and hot can also be a sign of periodontal disease. Gums that recede as a result of the disease expose the surfaces of the root which are covered with tiny tubes that lead into the nerve in the tooth. When the external stimulus is introduced to the exposed portion of the tooth, the nerves feel the pain.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, please call our office @ 760.327.1509/760.346.7431' 

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Study Shows Smoking Increases Chances Of Dental Implant Failures

Dr. Marc Salomone D.D.S

The introduction of dental implants to dentistry revolutionized the way people treated lost teeth. They are preferred by many and have replaced dentures as they are more comfortable and appeal aesthetically.  Dental implants are a blessing for many who are looking for a suitable replacement for their lost teeth.

Basically, the lost tooth is replaced by an implant which is made up of a material which closely resembles natural teeth.

A titanium screw is inserted in to the jaw bone to which it fuses (osseointegration). This titanium screw serves as an anchor point which supports the entire artificial tooth. The artificial tooth is coated with hydroxypatite which is also present in natural tooth.

Now, coming to the effects of smoking on dental implants.

BBC news reported the findings of a research done by dentists across Europe which studied the rejection of dental devices and procedures by patients. The study has found the smoking increases the probability of rejection of a dental implant by the human body. Although, rejection of a dental implant occurs in few cases, smoking increases this risk considerably. This finding is not completely new though. Many dentists have reported lower success rates of dental implants in smokers.

Let us now look at the reason for this failure. An ideal candidate for the implant procedure requires good healing and blood flow to make sure the gums heal properly. Smoking considerably affects the healing ability of the body and reduces the blood flow as well. Good blood flow is required for effective healing of the gum tissue. Due to this various factors, the likelihood for rejection of the implant increases.

It’s just not the implants that are affected by smoking. Other dental procedures such as tooth extraction and dental fillings (restorations were also effected). 
Smoking also makes antibiotics and creams less effective before and during dental treatments. Some stats by ADA that support this claim in another study are: “32% of smokers needed to have a filling replaced, 10.1% needed a tooth extraction and 22.5% needed a major dental cleaning because of periodontal disease”.

The good part is that kicking this habit reduces these effects. The healing ability and blood flow slowly begins to return to normal levels and few studies have showed that normal levels can be regained after several years of quitting.

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Wisdom Teeth: Preventive Removal Is Best

Dr. Robert L. Bass D.D.S.

Your wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to emerge from your gums during your late teens, or "age of wisdom", which gives them their name. But wisdom teeth are not really so wise. They often become impacted or trapped in the jaw bone and gums and fail to erupt as straight and fully functioning teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth nearly always have to be removed. Example of impacted wisdom teeth can be seen in the following graphics

Why do we have wisdom teeth at all if they have to be removed so often? Human beings once had tougher diets. As our diets became softer and more refined, we no longer needed jaws for strenuous chewing. The jaws failed to develop, leaving little room for third molars. In addition, due to mixing of gene pools, some adults never develop wisdom teeth at all and some end up with more teeth than jaw. Perhaps in the distant future, we won't have to worry about them at all. Today, most people experience at least one impacted wisdom tooth.

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth that are not painful seem harmless enough. But if they are not removed early, they often cause problems such as:

1. INFECTION (PERIOCORONTIS): The mouth is full of bacteria that normally do not get past the protective layer of gums. But when an impacted tooth breaks through the gum surface, bacteria can get in causing an infection in the gums around the crown of the tooth. This infection can cause severe pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and even general illness.
2. DESTRUCTION OF THE NEXT TOOTH: An impacted tooth may still try to grow where it has no room, eroding the tooth next to it. This is called RESORBTION. Eventually, this could lead to the loss of both teeth.
3. PAIN: Infection in a decayed wisdom tooth or in the gum around an impacted tooth can cause pain. If a decayed wisdom tooth is not situated in a healthy position, or if it is not restorable, we may recommend its removal. An impacted tooth can also cause pain if it presses against a nerve or the next tooth.
4. CROWDING: An impacted tooth can crowd nearby molars out of alignment. If you are undergoing orthodontic care, we may recommend that your impacted wisdom teeth be removed.
5. CYSTS: When a tooth is impacted, the sac of tissue around the crown remains in the bone. Occasionally, the sac fills with fluid forming a cyst that can readily destroy or enlarge the bone and endanger surrounding structures.

Why Early Removal? Before you reach adulthood, the roots of your teeth are not totally formed and the surrounding bone is softer. Therefore, there is less chance of damaging nerves and other nearby structures during surgery. The operation itself may be more difficult as you get older. The risks are greater and the healing is slower. If you wait until your wisdom teeth cause you trouble, you may have to be treated for complications such as infection, before they can be removed. In short, early removal of your wisdom teeth is likely to prevent problems later on. In addition, we may recommend that opposing healthy wisdom teeth be removed at the same time if they are impending on the opposing jaw. A recently completed clinical study of more than 9,500 patients revels that the optimal time for extraction is between the ages of 12 and 24 years. In general, difficulties increase with age.

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New Research Reveals Elderly People Who Lose Their Teeth May Be At Increased Risk For Dementia

Dr. Marc Salomone D.D.S

The new study included more than 4,000 Japanese participants, 65 and older, who underwent a dental examination and a psychiatric assessment. Compared with participants who still had many of their natural teeth, those with fewer or no teeth were much more likely to have experienced some memory loss or have early-stage Alzheimer's disease. 

The findings were published online last month in Behavioral and Brain Functions. Participants with symptoms of memory loss tended to report that they had visited the dentist rarely, if at all.

Dr Nozomi Okamoto, the study's principal investigator, said that this may be one explanation for the study's findings but suggested that there may be other links between tooth loss and memory problems. She said: 'Infections in the gums that can lead to tooth loss may release inflammatory substances, which in turn will enhance the brain inflammation that cause neuronal death and hasten memory loss. ‘The loss of sensory receptors around the teeth is linked to some of the dying neurons.'

This may lead to a vicious cycle, Okamoto explained. The loss of these brain connections can cause more teeth to fall out, further contributing to cognitive decline. A few months back, researchers elsewhere discovered that gum disease can affect the brain in elderly patients. This, they concluded, can happen by causing inflammation throughout the body, a risk factor for loss of mental function.

The study, based on adults aged 60 and older, found those with the highest levels of the gum disease-causing pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis were three times more likely to have trouble recalling a three-word sequence after a period of time. The research was led by Dr James Noble at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. It also found that adults with the highest levels of this pathogen were two times more likely to fail three-digit reverse subtraction tests.

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