Muskingum Valley Oral Surgery Blog

Are you getting your wisdom teeth pulled or need to remove a decayed or infected tooth? The days immediately following a tooth extraction are a critical period for the healing process. If you’re not careful, you could wind up with a painful case of dry socket. To avoid this unpleasant fate, follow these five essential tips from a dentist.

Over 10 million teeth are removed each year, according to the American Public Health Association. However, despite how common tooth extractions are, there are still many misconceptions about the procedure. Do you suspect you may have a decayed or damaged tooth or need to pull your wisdom teeth? Here is the truth behind five common myths about tooth extractions.

The wisdom teeth are the “extra” set of pearly whites in the back of the jaw that may or may not cause you problems. Not everyone has wisdom teeth, but for the lucky majority who do, these pesky teeth will usually need to come out. Most people have them extracted between ages 18-25 or so. There is usually not enough room for the crowns to poke through the gums, which can result in crowding, infection, and some amount of discomfort if they are not removed. 

If you’re suffering from a major toothache, you might be starting to worry about your outlook. But thanks to modern dentistry, there are many existing solutions that can alleviate your pain and discomfort while also restoring your smile to a healthier state! Here is a closer look at root canal therapy and tooth extractions, two treatment options that patients sometimes turn towards to address their painful oral issues.

The thought of having a tooth extracted is unsettling for many people—but you should know that modern dentistry often emphasizes a conservative approach, meaning that your dentist will only perform a tooth extraction if it’s absolutely necessary. That said, having a tooth pulled isn’t always a bad thing! Although you must say goodbye to one of your pearly whites, there are actually many benefits to this procedure that ultimately outweigh the downsides. Here are four of the surprising benefits of having a tooth extracted.

Sleep apnea, a common sleeping disorder that involves repeated breathing interruptions, can leave you feeling tired, groggy, and irritable during the day. However, sleep apnea can also impact more than just your quality of rest. New research has revealed that untreated sleep apnea can result in significant brain damage. Keep reading to discover how sleep apnea impacts your brain health and how sleep apnea therapy can help.

If you have invested in dental implants, you made a wonderful choice for your smile. Dental implants are the only truly long-term solution for missing teeth. They don’t require too much special maintenance, but there are some things you will want to avoid to keep from doing any damage. Keep reading to find out the four habits to break now that you have dental implants. 

If you are missing teeth, your self-esteem was likely lost along with them. Eating in public, speaking, and even smiling can be embarrassing, but those aren’t the only challenges. Just the thought of puckering up for a kiss can make your palms sweat. Kissing is important to any romantic relationship. Thankfully, you can enjoy a complete, confident smile again with dentures. Although they will look and feel natural, kissing with dentures can be awkward at first, but don’t let that stop you from smooching with your partner. Here’s how you can kiss passionately with your new smile.

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There’s never an ideal time to have oral surgery, but many people schedule their procedure during the holidays. Life tends to slow down during the season, giving you a break to focus on your recovery. Although your surgery might accommodate your schedule, it’s going to mean missing out on some of your favorite seasonal dishes or activities. Don’t worry, you can still enjoy the holidays. Here are 5 tips to make sure your recovery doesn’t damper the festivities.

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