The third molar is the last tooth to develop and erupt into the mouth, which usually occurs around the age of 18, give or take a few years.  This can be accompanied by discomfort which may come and go in cases where there is insufficient room for the teeth to erupt, often leading to small gum infections in the area. Crowding of teeth may also be a consequence of leaving the teeth in place, and many orthodontists request their removal to facilitate the movement of the molars. Malpositioned third molars may also lead to cavities on the tooth just in front of them, and also increase the risk of developing periodontal gum disease. Most wisdom teeth are removed prior to developing symptoms when there will not be enough room in the mouth for them to fully erupt. The ideal time to remove these wisdom teeth is before the roots have fully developed. This leaves more room between the tooth roots and the nerve that gives feeling to the lower lip, generally making it a safer time to remove them with fewer risks of complications.  People develop their teeth at different rates, but most people’s wisdom teeth are at the ideal stage of development for removal between 15-18 years old.

Recently, the Idaho Supreme Court denied a LLC the right to lien foreclosure to collect monies due because it did not have a separate licensed contractor license apart from its member.  Remember that a general informational series is not a substitute for actual legal representation.

While we often think of affirmations as being positive, the reality is that ANYTHING we say (or think, for that matter) becomes an affirmation – and then that affirmation tends to become true.  For example, do you start your day with statements like “I’m grateful to be alive; I choose foods that nourish my body; I lose weight easily”, or are more your thoughts along the lines of “I’m fat; No matter what I do I can’t lose weight; I have to starve to lose weight”?  If most of your thoughts are negative, then you are likely to receive negative outcomes.  This applies not only to weight but to life itself.  For help with YOUR weight loss affirmations and beliefs, call our office to schedule a Mind-Body Weight Loss Session.  What do you have to lose?…. except the weight  Call EXCEL at 233-0593 to schedule today.

Recently I have written concerning the link between sleep apnea and diabetes, cancer, depression, and now insomnia.  People with insomnia may now have one more thing to keep them up at night. A brand new piece of health news reports that insomniacs face a higher risk of hypertension. High blood pressure is, of course, a serious risk factor for heart disease. Researchers in Detroit discovered that the prevalence of hypertension was greater in insomniacs compared to normal sleepers. The spike in blood pressure is linked to the number of times you wake up during the night, as well as your “sleep latency.” This is a term describing how long it takes you to transition from full wakefulness to sleep. In the study, the longer it took people to fall asleep, and the more times they woke, the more severe their hypertension. Frequent awakening or arousal and high blood pressure is very common in sleep apnea. If you or someone you know is struggling with snoring, sleep apnea, TMJ, headaches, or migraines   call for a complimentary in-office evaluation!
Call The TMJ Sleep Center at 234-PAIN for sleep apnea, TMJ, headaches, & migraines.   drdwight@thetmjcenter.com.

Visits to the dentist and oral surgeon can be a significant source of stress and anxiety to our patients, many times because of the fear of the unknown as they usually have not had a similar experience before. This patient is typically concerned about possible pain- specifically whether the procedure is going to hurt. The good news is that whether your procedure requires local or intravenous anesthesia, today’s technology makes it possible to perform complex surgery in the oral and maxillofacial surgery office with little or no discomfort for the patient. Knowing this should start to reduce your level of anxiety. When patients are given the option of local anesthesia or general anesthesia by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon for procedures such as wisdom teeth extractions, they almost invariably choose to have a general anesthesia. This allows the patient to be completely asleep for the entire procedure which leads to a considerable more pleasant experience and less stress about the procedure. General anesthetics may be used for minor procedures as well, allowing those with dental anxiety to be at ease.  Having a general anesthetic is a great and very safe option for any of us needing oral surgery procedures, especially if you are at all nervous.

A person with sufficient work credits and with a disability that is expected to be unable to work for at least one year may apply for Social Security Disability benefits.  If denied, you may appeal the decision and request a hearing.  An attorney familiar with Social Security benefits can advise you how to proceed within this process.  Remember that a general informational series is not a substitute for actual legal representation.

Yes and no.  Annual vaccination protects against feline distemper and severe respiratory diseases.  All cats that go outdoors, or have contact with unknown cats, should also be vaccinated for feline leukemia.  Even so, outdoor cats are susceptible to FIV, the virus that causes feline AIDS.  There is no effective vaccine for FIV.  If your cat has any outdoor access, be sure to have him tested for viruses, including FIV, at least annually.  Keep in mind that outdoor cats are also susceptible to internal and external parasites, such as roundworms and ear mites, and vaccines do nothing to prevent these.  Ask your veterinarian about appropriate preventive medications.  May and June are Feline Health Awareness Months at Community Animal Hospital.  Feline wellness exams, vaccines, and viral testing are discounted.

Yes, probably so.  Many people in our area are found to have low levels of vitamin D.  And according to WebMD, a vitamin D deficiency has been linked to bone pain and muscle weakness and has been associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment in older adults, severe asthma in children, cancer, and depression.  Deficiency can occur for a number of reasons including not consuming enough foods that contain vitamin D, limited exposure to sunlight, not being able to absorb vitamin D adequately, and obesity.  At our Health Fair on Thursday, June 21, you can have your vitamin D blood level tested as well as your cholesterol, thyroid, and blood sugar levels.  Call our office at 233-0593 to schedule your appointment!

For those who have regularly followed this column you are aware of the various medical conditions that have been positively linked to or caused by sleep apnea.  Last week I wrote about sleep apnea increasing the risk of diabetes and complicating the blood sugar balance.  I never thought I would be telling you that sleep apnea can be the cause of cancer.  More than ten studies have linked the increased cancer rate to sleep apnea. Recently in the news a study from Wisconsin reported a 5x increase in the cancer death rate in sleep apnea patients.  The consensus of opinion is the decreased oxygen to the tissues from the apnea causes an increased number of small blood vessels throughout the body which feed the body tissues including the cancer allowing the cancer to grow faster.   For those with sleep apnea and an increased risk of cancer treatment of the sleep apnea could be very beneficial.  Very few conditions or behaviors contribute to a 5x increase in medical conditions.   Call 1-866-612-5330 for a complimentary consumer guide to the treatment of sleep apnea and a free copy will be sent to you. If you or someone you know is struggling with snoring, sleep apnea, TMJ, headaches, or  migraines   call for a complimentary in-office evaluation!
Call The TMJ Sleep Center at 234-PAIN for sleep apnea, TMJ, headaches, & migraines.   drdwight@thetmjcenter.com.