Common Wisdom Teeth Issues

Christopher “Chris” C. Babcock, DMD, possesses an MD and several state licenses in dentistry and anesthesia, and has performed oral surgery for nearly two decades. As a surgeon with Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants and his own private practice, Dr. Christopher C. Babcock, DMD, performs restorative and preventative procedures, including wisdom tooth removal.

Wisdom teeth usually emerge when a person reaches between 17 and 30 years of age. If these molars do not grow in correctly, they can cause long-term dental problems. For example, if only a portion of the tooth breaks through the gums, it can create a gap in the gum line that can become a breeding ground for bacteria. This problem can be worsened if the tooth is located too far back to clean properly.

Wisdom teeth can also push against other oral structures, such as the jaw bone and other teeth. The molar may shift other teeth out of alignment. If the tooth is pressed up against the root of a neighboring tooth, it may lead to decay or loss. If a wisdom tooth is completely encased in the jaw, it may cause a cyst to develop. Problematic wisdom teeth should be monitored through bi-annual dental appointments. If the patient develops any symptoms, removal may be necessary.

 

The Give Kids a Smile Program at ADA

Working at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, Christopher C. Babcock, DMD is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. A member of the American Dental Association, Dr. Christopher C. Babcock earned his MD from the University of Louisville. The American Dental Association (ADA) has existed for over 150 years and supports the dental industry and the dentistry profession.

One of the wide-reaching programs of ADA is the Give Kids a Smile which provides dental services to over six million children. The services offered include free restorative and preventative treatments, screenings, and oral health education.

This program begins in February of each year, but since they are run by local dentistry practices in their communities, events can happen throughout the year. In addition, the ADA provides resources for children who participate in the program such as a free toothbrush and toothpaste. For those interested in participating or receiving services, the ADA provides a number to call to find out about local events: 1.844.490.GKAS.

 

Tips for Choosing Guitar Strings

Currently a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Christopher, Chris, C. Babcock, MD works as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for Louisville Oral Surgery. Dr. Christopher C. Babcock also keeps bees and plays guitar.

Picking out which style and gauge of guitar strings can be a very personal choice for a guitar player. Although seemingly unimportant, the guitar strings have a big impact on tone. The gauge of the string is measured by the diameter of the string in thousandth of an inch. Although the exact tuning of each string can vary by player and tuning, the range of gauge across the strings can make the same guitar sound very different. Lighter gauges are generally easier to play, and larger gauges take more force.

Another big factor in guitar strings is the material used. The material generally ranges from type of guitar. Acoustic guitars use silk and steel, phosphor bronze, and bronze. Usually preferred by jazz or folk players, silk and steel are called such because they have a core of steel but are wound in silver or copper plated silk. Bronze are the brightest sounding strings, but also the most prone to losing their iconic sound. Therefore, phosphor bronze strings add phosphor to keep the strings from wearing out so quickly, but this addition causes the strings to have a less bright tone.

The Environmental Impact of Beekeeping

Christopher “Chris” Babcock, MD, DMD, specializes in oral and maxillofacial procedures including dental implants other oral surgeries. Outside his work in the dental field, Dr. Christopher C. Babcock raises horses and bees at his home in Louisville, Kentucky.

Over the past 100 years, the use of pesticides and the decimation of some flower species have caused the bee population to steadily decline. To combat this trend, many gardeners have taken on small-scale beekeeping. Maintaining a hive has considerable benefits for the local environment. For example, bees are highly-effective at pollinating fruit-bearing plants and contributing to a larger crop harvest.

Further, bees ensure the propagation of indigenous wildflowers and plants, which supports biodiversity. This helps preserve the local ecosystem, as animals and insects that rely on consuming bees and the plants they pollinate for sustenance will have enough to eat. Since preserving the natural ecosystem also maintains a balance between prey and predators, bees can indirectly keep the population of common garden pests under control and eliminate or reduce the need for harsh pesticides.

 

How a Disability Insurance Policy Can Help You

Christopher C. (Chris) Babcock, MD, DMD, practices at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, where he has worked since 2018. In addition to being an oral surgeon, Dr. Christopher C. Babcock is a licensed health insurance and life insurance broker. In his work in the insurance field, Christopher C. Babcock, MD, encourages individuals to get a disability insurance policy.

Disability insurance provides a source of income for people unable to work after an injury or accident. Though many employers offer some form of disability insurance, the coverage is often short-term and may not cover the employee’s full salary.

Research indicates that roughly a third of Americans are likely to experience at least 90 days in which they are disabled in the course of their career, yet nearly 50 percent of workers do not have any coverage in case of an injury. The best time to purchase a disability insurance policy is while you are still young.

If you are young and healthy, qualifying is easier, and premiums are lower. As you age and develop health issues, the price increases. Disability insurance is especially important if you work in a profession in which your risk of injury is high. Not purchasing disability insurance is one of the biggest financial mistakes that workers can make.

How Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Affect Health

Christopher C. (Chris) Babcock, MD, DMD, practices dentistry and oral surgery in Louisville, Kentucky. As a staff surgeon for Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, Christopher C. Babcock, MD, DMD, delivers important preventive and restorative treatments, including wisdom tooth extraction, a remedy for severely impacted wisdom teeth.

If wisdom teeth have no room to emerge, they are considered impacted. Without proper treatment, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to a host of oral health problems. For example, partially emerged wisdom teeth are difficult to reach through brushing and flossing, which can cause the buildup of plaque. Eventually, this plaque can infect the surrounding gum tissue and cause inflammation.

Bacteria from an impacted tooth can enter the bloodstream and spread infection throughout the body. At times, a cyst or tumor may develop near the impacted tooth. The tumor can grow so large that it causes misalignment and pain in the jawbone.

Complications from impacted wisdom teeth often require invasive surgical procedures or braces.

Orthognathic Surgery - Postoperative Nutrition

Holding a DMD from the University of Louisville, Christopher “Chris” Babcock, MD, is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Practicing at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, Dr. Christopher Babcock is experienced in various forms of oral and maxillofacial surgeries, including dental implant surgery and orthognathic surgery.

A surgery that is used to correct dentofacial deformities, orthognathic surgery focuses on the manipulation of a patient's skeleton to help restore proper anatomy, and also enhance physiological functions. Often, orthognathic surgery is conducted by a surgeon in collaboration with an orthodontist. Orthognathic surgery requires a proper preoperative and postoperative nutrition plan. During the surgery, careful protocols must be followed to maintain the supply of blood to the mobilized areas, such as the teeth and jaw segment, and to protect bones and neurovascular structures.

To minimize stress, it is necessary for a patient to take food with an adequate amount of protein and calories during the postoperative period of the surgery. This counteracts catabolic metabolism that results from the operation. Taking 2500 to 3000 calories per day and 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of the patient's body weight per day is recommended. Taking supplements, such as nutritionally complete liquids or protein shakes, is also typically recommended.

Common Wisdom Tooth Issues

Christopher C. “Chris” Babcock, DMD, MD, earned both his dental and medical degrees from the University of Louisville. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Christopher C. Babcock performs third molar removals.

Third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, emerge in about 25 percent of people. Since the human jaw has shrunk over the course of millennia, many people do not have space for these teeth. This can cause several problems, including swelling, infection, and pain. Wisdom teeth can become impacted, which means there is no room in the jaw for them to emerge. Impacted teeth can press against other teeth, causing misalignment.

Wisdom teeth that do emerge can be difficult to clean and may make the person more susceptible to gum disease and cavities. They can also collect bacteria that can lead to jawbone or tooth infections. Further, poorly aligned or impacted wisdom teeth can also press against and damage facial nerves. While most people will not seek dental care for their wisdom teeth until a problem arises, some dentists recommend removing the teeth during late adolescence as a precaution.