Nutrition for Healthy Jaw Bones

A strong and healthy jaw bone is the foundation of the smile. Without healthy bone, teeth shift out of place and make it difficult to speak and eat properly. As you age, your jaw bone is susceptible to deterioration due to missing teeth and gum disease. Keeping your jaw bone in good health depends on proper nutrition, dental treatments, and good hygiene. Here are a few tips to keep that jaw bone health for a lifetime of beautiful smiles.

Consume Plenty of Calcium

Most of the calcium in your body is found in your bones and teeth, but you lose some of that each day through your skin, nails, hair, and even sweat. Calcium is a necessary mineral that our bodies can’t provide. Foods rich in calcium protect your bones from deterioration as you age. It is found in dairy products, nuts, leafy greens, and fish. You can take a calcium supplement if your doctor recommends it, but it’s important to take the correct dosage for your age, gender, and weight.

Maintain Healthy Vitamin D Levels

If calcium is the building block of your bones, then vitamin D ensures it is appropriately used. Without it, your body and bones can’t absorb the calcium that you ingest, inhibiting your jaw and overall health. Many dairy products contain added vitamin D to ensure that the calcium is absorbed, but it may not be enough to meet your daily requirements. The only way to get vitamin D naturally is by exposing your bare skin to sunlight. During winter, vitamin D supplements are recommended.

Eat a Balanced Diet of Fresh, Whole Foods

A healthy diet will provide your body with a variety of vitamins and minerals for optimum health. Aim to eat a variety of these foods each day, including at least five servings of fruits and vegetables. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables will also protect your teeth from decay and prevent gum disease, which is a leading cause of jaw bone deterioration.

Your jaw bone makes up the vital framework that supports healthy teeth. If you have loose teeth or are concerned that your jaw bone isn’t as healthy as it should be, give our Lorton or Springfield office a call to schedule a consultation.

Common Dental Implant Questions

Dental implants are one of the best solutions for replacing missing teeth. This treatment provides a permanent and beautiful solution to gaps left by missing teeth, and unlike dentures, they look and feel just like your real teeth. To help patients understand implants, we have created this list of common implant questions. If we haven’t answered your question, feel free to call either our Lorton or Springfield office to speak with a member of our staff.

 

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are secured to your jaw bone and then affixed with a dental prosthetic. These prosthetics are designed to match the surrounding teeth to provide a natural aesthetic. Dental implants are a much more permanent solution than dentures or bridges, and they allow you to chew and talk regularly.

Why do You Recommend Dental Implants?

Implants provide the healthiest option for tooth replacement. Because the implant is permanent and fused to the jaw bone, it reduces the rate of bone loss. Dental implants free you to enjoy your smile as you normally would, and are easy to care for. All patients have to do is brush and floss consistently and visit their dentist. With proper care, they can last over 30 years. 

Is the Dental Implant Procedure Painful?

 

During the procedure, patients are given local anesthesia to make them comfortable. As the bone has no nerve endings, patients will not be able to feel anything beyond the work done on the gums. Patients may feel minor discomfort afterward, but it is no more painful than other dental procedures.

Are Dental Implants Expensive?

Dental implants are initially more expensive than dentures or other prosthetic options, but their advantages outweigh the initial price tag. Traditional prosthetics will need to be replaced multiple times as they wear out, whereas implants and their restorations will not. This longevity reduces overall costs.

Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

To receive dental implants, you must have a healthy jaw bone that is thick enough to secure the implant posts. If you have experienced bone deterioration due to gum disease, injury, or long-term tooth loss, we can work with you to develop a treatment plan that will strengthen the jaw before placing dental implants.

Have More Questions? Contact Us Today!

At Lorton & Springfield Dental Implant and Oral Surgery, we are committed to providing the best dental implant service possible. Dr. Snehal R. Patel, DDS, MD is your dedicated oral surgeon with many years of dental implant experience. Dr. Patel will work with you to answer your questions and develop an individualized treatment plan to fit your needs. Call one of our offices today to schedule an appointment.

 

Facts About Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Your third molars, or wisdom teeth, usually develop between the ages of 14 and 24 and are often removed in this time frame. Many, however, keep these teeth for much longer but can be at risk for developing oral health issues. At Lorton Springfield Dental Implant & Oral Surgery, our surgeons extract the wisdom teeth that are negatively impacting your oral health. We will determine whether or not to remove them, with the goal of protecting your smile.

Why do Young Adults Have Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth can contribute to crowding and discomfort as they emerge. Third molars often become impacted, or partially covered by soft tissues, as they fail to completely push through the gums. When they do push through, they are sometimes crooked or start to press against neighboring teeth. This can cause inflammation and infection, which merit extraction.

Most dentists and oral surgeons believe that extracting wisdom teeth between 16 and 24 is the best method to preserve a patient’s oral health. As we age, our jaw bone becomes more fragile and heals less efficiently, which is why many dental professionals recommend removing wisdom teeth between the ages of 14-24. If the procedure is completed later in life, the patient will need extra time to heal. However, if you experience toothaches or show signs of infection due to your third molars you are advised to have the teeth extracted no matter your age.

Am I a Candidate for Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, it’s important to seek help if your wisdom teeth are negatively affecting your oral health. Your candidacy for wisdom teeth removal depends on a variety of factors, including the size or your jaw, the number of impacted wisdom teeth, and your overall dental health. If you have any of the following symptoms contact your general dentist:

●     Pain behind your molars or in your jaw

●     Chronic infections in your gums

●     Tenderness or swelling around your molars

At Lorton Springfield Dental Implant & Oral Surgery, we believe that every smile is unique and every patient deserves personalized care. Call our Lorton practice today if you have any questions regarding your wisdom teeth or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Snehal Patel.

History of Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Many people need wisdom teeth to be removed not long after they appear. Often this is because the wisdom teeth become impacted, refusing to break through the gums. There is also a chance they will grow out crooked, push into surrounding teeth, or create pockets that allow infection. Wisdom teeth extraction has become a rite of passage for many young adults, but why do we have wisdom teeth if we don’t need them?

Origins of Third Molars

Many scientists classify wisdom teeth as vestigial organs. Like your appendix, your wisdom teeth have no real function but assisted with daily life at one time. There was a time in the distant past when our ancestors’ diets consisted of rough food such as leaves, nuts, and tough meats. These foods required serious chewing power and our third molars were part of the digestive process.

With the invention of eating utensils and modern cooking practices, our food became softer and much easier to digest. As a result, wisdom teeth become obsolete. Since then, our jaws have gradually shrunk over time, negating the need for third molars

Wisdom Teeth Extraction Through the Ages

Wisdom teeth extraction is a routine procedure for young adults and is often seen as a right of passage. But before the development of surgical dentistry, infected or impacted wisdom teeth had to be removed without advanced techniques or instruments. Originally, patients underwent extraction with imprecise hand tools and had no anesthesia. Much more recently, dental technology made it easier to remove the teeth and minimize the extensiveness of surgery, protecting bone and soft tissues alike.

Today, all wisdom teeth extractions are performed while the patient is sedated. Your Springfield oral surgeon will make a small incision to remove the tooth, clean up the treatment area, and suture it closes. Medicine is often prescribed to manage pain, and ice packs are used to reduce swelling and prevent bruising.

Do you or a loved one suffer from painful or impacted wisdom teeth? Dr. Snehal Patel utilizes innovative techniques that restore comfort and minimize recovery time. Give Lorton Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery a call today to schedule a consultation.