Wagner Oral Surgeon & Dental Implant Specialists

One of the questions we’re asked frequently at Wagner Oral Surgery is whether or not to remove wisdom teeth if they’re not causing problems.

Wisdom teeth are the last four molars to come in. Problems are often caused when other teeth, bone or sections of gum are in the way. We want to be preventive and avoid these problems.

If a wisdom tooth encounters an obstacle it often causes pain, infection and may damage nearby teeth, gums, or roots. Some wisdom teeth may even come in at the wrong angle further complicating accommodation by other teeth.

Dr. Wagner suggests having wisdom teeth removed sooner rather than later for several reasons. When patients are younger the roots of wisdom teeth are shorter, basically less “grown in” so less resistant to removal. They are typically “looser” in the bone making it a less painful and less risky process. Lastly, removing them early means better and faster healing and an easier recovery.

We recommend to parents to have their children’s teeth checked periodically for emerging wisdom teeth starting at around age 13 or 14. This can also be done by your dentist or orthodontist. This is on the early side of growth but it’s a good time to start thinking about it. As we said before, the earlier the better for wisdom teeth removal!

After decades of advice to brush and floss regularly as a way to combat heart disease and stroke, the American Heart Association has now retreated. In a statement issued in April of 2012 they revealed a conclusion that gum disease has not been shown to raise the risk of cardiovascular illness. The statement also added treating gum disease either with professional attention or regular oral care such as brushing and flossing has not been conclusively proven to reduce the risk of either heart disease or stroke.

An AHA research team spent three years analyzing over 500 studies to find a link between oral care and heart health. The team was comprised of cardiologists, dentists and infectious disease specialists and after careful study of journal articles and research studies they could not find a causative link.

The conclusion was also endorsed by the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs.

Gum disease and cardiovascular disease can both produce markers of inflammation and share some common risk factors such as smoking, age and diabetes and this could explain why both diseases can appear together but there is no substantive link between them. These common factors were not accounted for in the most common studies linking gum disease and heart risks.

This is certainly not to say that proper brushing and flossing of your teeth aren’t important as they certainly are. Even without the association of heart disease and stroke there are still many health problems that can be caused by neglecting your teeth and gums. Tooth decay, gingivitis and plain old bad breath are just three reasons to brush and floss at least twice daily.

Caring for your teeth is not only important to keep that strong, healthy smile it’s essential if you want to keep that smile for a lifetime. Wagner Oral Surgery can extract those teeth if they become a problem. But frankly, we’d rather you brush regularly, floss dependably and stay healthy!

Last week, we started off with the bad news, Foods Bad For Your Smile. Now- the good news. Here are some of the best foods and drinks for your teeth:

Green Tea
There are several health benefits in green tea because of its high antioxidant count. These antioxidant compounds can also prevent plaque build up, therefore preventing bad breath and reducing the risk of cavities.

Dairy Products
Milk, yogurt and cheese are healthy snacks with great oral benefits. Most dairy products are high in calcium which is fortifying for your teeth and bones. Cheese is also high in phosphate and balances the pH in your mouth, helping to produce more saliva and rebuild tooth enamel.

Onions
Onions are rich in anti-bacterial sulphur compounds, which are very powerful in killing the bacteria that’s harmful to your teeth. If you can put up with the odor and the tears, raw onions give you the best results.

Celery & Apples
We grouped these together because they have a very similar effect. Apples and raw celery massage your gums and clean your teeth. They are also high in water content and will stimulate the flow of saliva. If you’ve forgotten a toothbrush, eat either of these for close to similar results.

Proteins
Foods rich in proteins, like chicken, beef, turkey and eggs are also rich in phosphorus. Protein helps keep your teeth healthy and helps reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Sesame Seeds
These seeds can dissolve plaque and help build tooth enamel, especially when combined with bread and rolls. Sesame seeds are also rich in calcium which also aids in keeping teeth healthy.

We hope you’ll be able to pick a few of these items that you can enjoy while improving your dental wellness.

Soft Drinks
These beverages’ high acid content can strip minerals from your tooth’s enamel. You may have been told that this is only the case in dark sodas, but this is proven untrue. In fact, studies have shown that clear, citrus-flavored soft drinks dissolve enamel 2-5 times more than colas.

Sports Drinks
It’s important to rehydrate, but look into what beverage you’re reaching for. Electrolyte-packed sports drinks are usually only necessary for high endurance athletes. Sports drinks are actually more harmful than juice or soda by having the highest concentration of strong acids.

Sticky/Sour Candies
Sour patch kids and sweetarts are hard to resist but the sour candies we know and love are very damaging. That pucker factor comes from “tangy” acids.

Mouth-Drying Consumables
This can include medications or alcoholic beverages that can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is dangerous to the teeth and gums, so it’s important to keep your mouth hydrated. If this is coming from a medication, use a fluoride rinse.

Vinegar
Vinegar can be found in potato chips, pickles, salad dressings, and sauces. Those who consume a lot of vinegar-containing foods have higher risk of enamel erosion. Teenagers are more at risk of this because their tooth enamel is not mature.

Dried Fruit & Fruit Juices
Dried fruit like raisins and prunes are very sticky and cling to the teeth. As the water is dried away, their sugars are highly concentrated. Similarly, juices are typically very high in sugar and are a hazard to tooth enamel. These do, however provide several vitamins and antioxidants so don’t ride them off completely. Nonetheless, try to avoid sucking on citrus fruits.

If these items are too hard to resist, rinse your mouth with water after consuming. Also don’t brush right away but rather wait at least 30 minutes. Tooth enamel is vulnerable to damage after eating foods high in acidity, so don’t worsen the damage by brushing right away.

Stay tuned for the best foods for your teeth.

Believe it or not, our mouths play a large role in our overall health. Our mouths are full of bacteria and if not general taken care of, can be harmful to our overall health. Lack of oral care is linked to the following serious illnesses.

Diabetes
Individuals with diabetes suffer from lowered immune systems. This can cause their gums to be more at risk of becoming inflamed or being infected from oral bacteria. If developed, these infections can lead to weakening bones around their mouth. Weakening of bones in this area can cause chronic infections and/or tooth loss.

Cardiovascular Issues & Heart Problems
Recently, a link has been discovered between oral care and heart disease from bacteria typically found in the mouth. Those who suffer from a severe form of gum disease- periodontitis- are especially at risk. This disease causes swollen gums that could bleed, allowing bacteria to enter their bloodstream and affect their heart.

Endocarditis
If you’re unfamiliar, endocarditis is inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, the endocardium. Bacterial infections originating in the mouth have been linked to this disease and causes the inner layer and the heart valves to become inflamed.

Other Health Conditions 
Besides those three health conditions, other diseases and chronic illnesses have been linked with oral care. These include:

• Osteoporosis- bone weakening has been linked to periodontal disease
• Alzheimers- a risk factor to the development of this disease is tooth loss before 35
• Premature Birth- gum disease has been linked to premature birth

It’s important to take simple steps to prevent these risks. Receiving routine oral examinations and cleanings will reduce the risks of these health problems caused by poor oral care.

For any questions about oral care, contact Wagner Oral Surgery & Dental Implant.

In honor of Oral Health Month, we would like to help raise the awareness of overall oral health. It’s never too late to develop good habits that will lead to healthy teeth and gums. Here are several tips to ensure lifelong oral health:

• Floss daily to remove the plaque build up between teeth and under your gumline. Once plaque has built up, it will harden into tartar which can cause cavities.
• Avoid foods high in sugar and starch, such as sweet snacks or sticky foods. These will cause damage to your tooth enamel.
• Lengthen your tooth brushing to at least 3 minutes and twice a day. Make sure you’re using a fluoride toothpaste to remove all plaque from the surface of your teeth to avoid any risks of tooth decay
• Of course, we recommend a regular check up from your dentist and professional cleaning

Dental Issues to be Aware Of

• It’s possible to get a cavity around your existing fillings. Brushing and flossing regularly will help prevent this, but get this checked out by your dentist to avoid further damage.
• Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Swollen, red or tender gyms are all symptoms of gingivitis. The early stages are still reversible so see your dentist before this develops.

Gum disease is important to prevent in early stages because research shows a possible link to other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Following our oral health tips will help you prevent gum disease in the first place.
These habits to proper oral hygiene are important to make part of your daily routine. For any questions on oral health, contact us at Wagner Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists. Make National Oral Health Month your time to improve your smile!

Coconut Oil, also known as miracle oil, is rich in vitamins and is becoming a source in medical practices. You’ve probably heard it makes your hair shiny and is great to cook with, but did you know it also has benefits for your teeth?

As it turns out, coconut oil kills the bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities. It even helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.Research also shows coconut oil to also help your body absorb calcium and magnesium which aids in the development of strong teeth.  On top of that, it’s been found to be a safe alternative to chemical additives.

GETTING TECHNICAL
Coconut oil is a powerful destroyer of various microbes, bacteria, and viruses that can be harmful to our health. When fatty coconut oil is broken down and enriched with enzymes it turns into acids which are toxic to certain bacteria. The toxin that plays a major role in tooth decay is Streptoccus bacteria. Well, coconut oil has a strong influence on preventing the growth of this bacteria, therefore decreasing chances of infection. 
The good news is that coconut oil is light on your digestive system and won’t cause an insulin spike in your bloodstream. Tips on putting it to use include the following:

• Brush your teeth with coconut oil to take preventative measures against the risks of gum disease and tooth decay
• Combine melted coconut oil with baking soda 3 to 2 to create a paste
• Use warm water and brush in a circular motion
• Continue this process 2-3 times per week
• Extra tip: Avoid spitting down the drain, coconut oil tends to harden once it cools down

This simple use of coconut oil to enhance the health of your teeth can help avoid tooth decay and help the growth of strong teeth. For any questions about oral health, contact Wagner Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists.

Anyone who knows us knows how much we look forward to our mission trips. Very soon we will be returning to Guatemala, a country we’ve come to know and love. Located in the middle of Central America it’s a beautiful area with warm and inviting people. Unfortunately, as with many countries, there is great poverty. Healthcare is extremely scarce or simply nonexistent.

We travel to Guatemala as a part of the Word Of Life Missions and we’ve been partnering with them since 2006. The camp there has been changing many lives across Guatemala and even in adjacent countries. Each life affected is a miracle and the work has had a great affect on many communities. It is truly an example of God’s work on earth and to be even a small part of it is a blessing

We provide medical, dental, and practical care for anyone who needs it. And as facilities are at a minimum we’ve performed surgery in schools, vacant buildings and even in the open air. People come from far and wide, this may be the only medical care they receive, and they come by the hundreds. And as they come to heal their bodies we also offer ministry to help heal them spiritually. Many of these people live in abject poverty and if we can give even one of them the gift of knowing God we hope they might find the same joy that brings us back year after year.

Our group grows each year and not all of us are medical professionals. It only takes a willing heart, a strong back and the desire to reach out to a world in need. But it’s not all hard work; there is fun, community, worship and opportunity to meet people from many varied cultures.

So stay tuned for a full report when we return.

Although we don’t necessarily advocate spending your money on lottery tickets there is something fascinating about the odds, dumb luck, and magic that can occur to grant someone a windfall of their dreams.

We found an interesting article in a Baton Rouge newspaper about the frequency of certain winning numbers in Powerball, a national lottery that recently awarded a $579.9 million jackpot, the largest in history.

However, the odds of winning a jackpot like that are something like 1 in 146 million. Million. The odds are better that you find a beluga whale in your swimming pool.

But do certain numbers win more?

A statistics professor, Dr. Min Su Kim, at Southern University, did a little examination going back ten years to see just what numbers turn up the most in past winners.

The Powerball drawing consists of five white balls and one red Powerball. Dr. Kim found that the most frequently drawn Powerball number for the past ten years is 20, followed by 37, 2, 31, and 35.

The white balls were also examined with the most popular number being 42, followed by 16, 35, 26, and 19.

“If you pick these numbers, there’s probably more probability to win the grand prize,” Dr. Kim says.

Now, does this mean you should grab your savings and play just these numbers? Probably not as every number has an equal chance of being drawn.

But there are those who win more than once that might say otherwise.

Maybe they’re just lucky that way.

As we age osteoporosis can become an increasing concern. The effects of osteoporosis can include less bone density, increased risk of fractures and other conditions. In the US more than 40 million people are at a high risk for or already have osteoporosis.

Dental professionals may be the first medical practitioner to notice that someone may have or be developing osteoporosis. Those with low bone mass may experience oral health issues that their dentist may see and recognize as the first signs of the disease.

Older adults may want to review medical history and have a comprehensive clinical and x-ray examination to see if there is reason for concern. Other risk factors to be considered are smoking, menopause, excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption, calcium deficiency and amount of physical activity.

Significant signs of beginning osteoporosis can include:

• Bone loss in the jaw and around the teeth can be an indicator of bone loss in other areas of the body.
• Tooth loss can be a sign of deteriorating bone. Women with osteoporosis are three times more likely to experience tooth loss than those who do not have the disease.
• Dentures that become loose or don’t fit the same.

Gum disease may be a clue of underlying osteoporosis.Osteoporosis can be a significant obstacle to proper dental care. Bone loss can make dental implants difficult and gum disease may lead to even more tooth loss. Dr. Wagner is familiar with dental bone grafting practices and cutting edge dental bone grafting techniques to regain and rebuild lost bone structure. We can also grow bone wherever its needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance. So if bone loss is preventing you from the dental care you need please contact us and let us help.