We have all heard the term wisdom teeth one time or another. Perhaps you’ve wondered why we have these set of teeth that 85% of the population have extracted, and what their purpose is to begin with. You’ve possibly wondered what causes them to need extracting, and if you need to set up an appointment to have yours extracted. We are going to try our best to answer these questions for you!

What are they?
Wisdom teeth are the set of molars that make up the ends of your two rows of teeth, on the top and bottom of your mouth. All the way in the back, these teeth emerge from the gums later in life and often come with discomfort and pain.

Why do we have Wisdom teeth?
It’s all related to our ancestors! Way back when humans needed to grind and chew their food without using utensils, these molars really helped out when eating raw or hard items. 

An impacted tooth 
Impaction occurs when a tooth grows in incorrectly, unable to break the gum line. This could be because the tooth is pushing on a tooth beside it in many different ways. This pushing against another tooth is a cause of great discomfort.

The removal process
Each case is different, because each tooth will be at a different stage in the emerging process. A wisdom tooth perhaps never leaves its place inside the bone and needs to be cut out, or it has grown in perfectly fine. Depending on the angle of growth, each tooth will need to be extracted differently. 

Recovery
After surgery, there are rules to follow in order to ensure the health of your mouth and gums. This healing process could take a couple of weeks or a few months, and should be taken seriously. 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our team at Progressive Family Dentistry. We would love to talk with you!

The most important word for your dental health is 'prevention'. It is important because you are taking action to keep your teeth safe before they are in danger. That is the best way to keep them healthy as you age and participate in activities that may cause harm to your teeth. It is important to prevent damage to your teeth, and one way to do so is by using a fitted mouthguard!

For children, mouth guards can help prevent chipped teeth, cracked teeth, and even prevent teeth from being knocked out during team sports. From soccer to softball, a mouthguard can be what stands in the child’s way of an unscheduled dentist appointment!

An important aspect to a mouthguard is finding one that fits correctly, because if it doesn’t fit, it won’t protect you as well! To ensure your mouthguard fits properly, come down to Progressive Family Dentistry and have it custom-made! Tailored to your child’s teeth and mouth can be a wonderful way to prevent teeth injury while they participate in their chosen sport.

A custom-fitted mouth guard is also very important when considering a child who has braces. Ensuring the proper fit of the mouthguard will prevent pain and irritation of the braces, as well as a proper barrier between the metal braces and your child’s cheek and lips.

When you receive your custom mouthguard from Progressive Family Dentistry, we will go over the proper care techniques such as rinse before and after each use by brushing it like you would brush your teeth, bring it with you to your checkups to ensure it’s proper fit, never leave it in the hot sun or water, and check for wear and tear!

We can't wait to see you and fit you with your very own mouthguard! 

One of the worst feelings to experience is being in pain, yet not knowing where or why. With Cracked Tooth Syndrome, this is the frustration felt by both client and dentist. Because the tooth has yet to break, it can be difficult finding the small, incomplete, crack. While it may be understandable that the crack can not be viewed by the naked eye, it also does not show on X-rays, or is located beneath the gum surface. 

What are the Causes?
As with most dental cases, there are preliminary factors which cause the problem. With Cracked Tooth Syndrome, the grinding of teeth, fillings too large for the tooth, after a root canal, and too much pressure on the teeth are most common.

Prevention
Measures to prevent Cracked Tooth Syndrome include discussing with your dentist ways to stop the grinding and clenching of teeth, receiving quality dental care from a professional, and properly taking care of your teeth.

At Progressive Family Dentistry, we treat you like family to ensure your care is reliable and efficient. Call us and schedule your appointment if you are experiencing tooth or gum pain, today!

In light of the upcoming film depicting the life of the well known band, Queen, today we are going to discuss a dental phenomenon the lead singer experienced known as Hyperdontia. 

When a person has more than 32 teeth, it is characterized as Hyperdontia. While this condition has a low percentage of occurrence, sitting between 1% and 4% of the population, it is more common in males than it is females. The cause of hyperdontia is unknown, however, suspicion focuses on genetics as well as the dental lamina (the cell zone that initiates the formation of a tooth germ that forms a tooth). 

While this condition is rare, it impacted the entertainment world through the voice of Freddie Mercury. Even though he declined treatment for his hyperdontia, it is better to be evaluated and treated for this disorder because of the possible clinical and functional issues. Treatment for hyperdontia generally consists of the removal of the extra teeth. Mercury's reasoning for not receiving treatment was justified by his reasoning that his voice would differ after the removal of the four extra molars.

Bohemian Rhapsody and other songs perhaps wouldn’t sound the same if the lead singer wasn’t subjected to such an interesting dental occurrence. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

If you or a family member is in search of a dentist, look no further than Progressive Family Dentistry! With amazing customer service and a positive disposition, the staff here will make you feel right at home!