2010 is The Year to Address those Wisdom Teeth

Our human ancestors used their wisdom teeth to help grind down food from plant sources. Scientists postulate that our ancestors did not have an efficient digestive tract capable of digesting the cellulose (the plant’s cell wall). Our ancestors therefore, had larger jaws with more teeth that enabled them to chew on the foliage. As the human race has gradually evolved, jaws have become smaller; however, the third molars (or wisdom teeth) still develop in most human mouths.

There is scientific data that suggests that if a culture today is still eating mostly plant sources for food then that modern day race has a higher percentage of people that are still developing wisdom teeth. For example, Indigenous Mexicans have a nearly 100% chance of having wisdom teeth because their diet is mainly based on plant sources. However, in cultures that food sources have changed to consuming mainly non-plant sources evidence is supporting that these modern day humans are gradually no longer producing wisdom teeth. For example, the Bantu speaking people of Africa who mainly consume meat sources such as cattle have a nearly 0.2% chance of having wisdom teeth.

Because wisdom teeth are not necessary for processing food, most dentists in the United States will recommend that they be removed. For the majority of people, wisdom teeth will appear between the ages of 16 and 25. They may erupt through the gum line or be impacted. Removal of wisdom teeth is recommended if the teeth are impacted or if they could become problematic if not extracted. Problems that potentially arise are generally due to infections because a toothbrush does not reach the area well and food particles can easily become trapped. This can result in pain and gum disease. In a worst-case scenario the infection could become systemic and pose a life-threatening infection. Wisdom teeth can also crowd other teeth resulting in pain and the need for orthodontia.

Removal of the wisdom teeth usually takes about 1 to 2 hours under IV sedation. Dr. Jason McCargar, a family and cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale, says that "after surgery, the patient can expect to have some bleeding, swelling, and pain from the site of the surgery." Complications such as “dry socket” can occur. This is caused at the site of the surgery when blood clots fall out prematurely or do not form properly. It is very painful and an NSAID, such as Ibuprofen may help with the pain and inflammation. Generally, dry sockets will resolve without additional treatment within a couple of weeks. The complication of bleeding is normal for the first three days after surgery and is addressed by following your surgeon’s instructions. Packing the area with gauze pads and applying gentle pressure as directed will help to stop the bleeding and decrease inflammation. The complication of infection is prevented by properly cleaning the area as directed with a warm salt water rinse and this will also help to promote healing. One can expect about seven days post-surgery to be needed for adequate recovery. Dr. McCargar also stresses the importance of a post-operative appointment with your dentist or surgeon at day seven or ten to make sure that the healing process has no complications and that the wounds are relatively clean.

Teeth Grinding

(click to enlarge image)


(click to enlarge image)

Benefits of Arestin

(click to enlarge print)


(click to enlarge print)

Nail biting can affect your health and your teeth

The pressures of work, the stress of the holidays, the worries about the economy... these days it seems there is definitely a reason to be biting your nails. But, there are also several reasons to break the habit in the New Year.

Research has proven that people who bite their nails are more likely to crack, or chip their front teeth or incisors. The constant pressure of biting down on something can lead to bruxism (unintentional grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw). Bruxism can cause headaches, tooth sensitivity, recessed gums, tooth loss, and unnatural tooth wearing. Jagged sharp fingernails can tear and damage gum tissue. Bacteria, fungus, and viruses can hide underneath the nail and when bitten off be introduced into the body through the mouth causing infection and disease.

A bad habit is difficult to break. Wearing a special mouth guard can help to deter nail biting or try to keep an emery board with you and file your nails instead of biting them. You can purchase bitter-tasting products that you brush onto your nails to prevent the biting. You can also examine the streses in your life that are triggering the nail biting and try to focus on calming techniques to help you change these stressors. Above all, at Scottsdale Dental Arts we want to see you have a happy and healthy new year.

Do You Have a Cracked Tooth?

(click to enlarge)

If you are one to grind your teeth while you sleep, or chew on ice, nuts , or hard candy, then you are more likely to experience a cracked tooth. Often the only symptoms that you will experience are similar to a cavity, such as: sensitivy to hot/cold, or pain around the tooth when you chew. The tooth may hurt because the pressure of the biting causes the crack to open exposing the inside of the tooth. Then the nerve inside the tooth emits a pain signal to your brain that something is wrong with your tooth. When you stop biting, the pressure is released and the sharp pain subsides as the crack quickly closes. Dr. McCargar says that often the diagnosis of a cracked tooth is made with the aid of an X-ray, and treatment depends on the severity of the crack.

Creating Custom Smiles

Dr. Jason McCargar is featured in this Fall's Edition of New Beauty. Look for the magazines on newstands now. Below is the article about Dr. McCargar and his dental office called Scottsdale Dental Arts.


(click to enlarge)


(click to enlarge)


(click to enlarge)

Our Latest Work of Dental Art

At Scottsdale Dental Arts we pride ourselves on our smile makeovers. We just wanted to present to you Victoria's new smile! It is also featured in the November edition of Scottsdale Health Magazine!

What is an inlay?

An inlay is a restoration that fits within the cusps of a tooth. It is made outside of the mouth as opposed to a filling which is made inside the mouth. It may be made of metal or porcelain; in a lab or on a CEREC machine. It is usually cemented or bonded into the tooth. An inlay restores portions of a tooth that might also be fixed with smalgam (silver) or tooth-colored filling material.

I have a toothache why did my dentist prescribe clindamycin?

A toothache is most likely caused from an infection within the tooth. Decay on the tooth gets worse when sugary substances are ingested because bacteria living within the cavity feed on the sugar. As the infection gets deeper and deeper inside the body of the tooth it eventually strikes the nerve which is why you have that pulsating, throbbing pain that radiates across your jaw. The infection is now in an area that air does not reach easily. The bacteria causing this particular infection is called anaerobic bacteria. (Aerobic means only in the presence of oxygen; therefore anaerobic means without oxygen.) Anaerobic bacteria only respond to certain antibiotics and one of these antibiotics is clindamycin. Clindamycin will help to get rid of some of the anaerobic bacteria that is causing the infection and therefore help with the pain. Dr. McCargar says that "It is imperative however, that a patient in this particular case follow-up with the dentist because the infection will continue to come back until the decay or the cavity is properly removed and treated."

Make Over Your Smile

(click to enlarge)


At Scottsdale Dental Arts, Dr. Jason McCargar prides himself on making sure that you are comfortable with your smile. Fixing crowding of the teeth or fixing gaps can help you to look younger. Dr. McCargar says "Whether having a full mouth makeover with veneers are moving teeth with Invisalign, your smile is custom-made to fit only you." What this means is that your smile will be unique to you and that the teeth will not look too big or too small in proportion to the features of your face. Dr. McCargar has done many smile makeovers this year using porcelain veneers. Above is a great article from Health Magazine talking about how porcelain veneers can easily correct crowding or gapping of teeth.