Not All Cultures Value Front Teeth

As strange as this may seem, not all cultures value their front teeth.  The Surma people residing in

South Sudan and southwest Ethiopia have a tradition where front lower teeth are removed and the bottom lip is pierced at puberty to get ready for marriage. Over time the lip is stretched for insertion of an ever increasing size of clay plate.  Some are noted up to 16 inches in size.  Bigger plates are considered more desirable and beautiful, making the women worth more cattle.

Although plates are still a strong part of the culture, some modern day girls have begun to skip the tradition. 

+Verde Pointe Dental Associates and the dentists, +Suzanna Aguilera and +Kirk Kimmerling DDS are happy to present this informational article on cultures from around the world.  

Would You Stuff Your Mouth With Rags to Look More Beautiful?

Queen Elizabeth I is an iconic beauty from past centuries with chalky white skin and a receding hairline.

The Tudor Queen used white face paint and plucked her hair to get the receding look. She was self-conscious about her sunken hollow cheeks from missing teeth, so she reportedly stuffed rags into her mouth to puff out her appearance. 

The Queen had interesting make-up. Let's take a look;

• She mixed red dye with toxic mercuric sulphide to redden her lips.  (mercury poisoning)
• She dabbed on a pasty white lead and vinegar over her face and neck to maintain snow white flawless skin.(banned in most counties)
• A black lead sulphide, Kohl was used to outline her eyes, a trick still used today.

This iconic look was preserved in only a few portraits, and +Verde Pointe Dental Associates along with +Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Suzanna Aguilera have noticed she's not smiling.  Perhaps she can't wait to get the rags out of her mouth.  

If need to get a tooth extracted, or need an emergency dentist Marietta, GA, our dentists are always ready to help by offering a New Patient Coupon of $100 towards services.

Shockingly, Your Tooth Can Be Dead!

Did you know people can have a tooth that's dead?  It's true, just because a tooth is in your mouth, does not mean it is alive and well.  The inside structure of a tooth is living and can actually die requiring a treatment from a dentist.  People walk around every day with a tooth that needs attention, because it is dead.  So, let's take a look at the facts.

How does a tooth die?

The answer is multi-fold.  A tooth can die for different reasons, such as a deep cavity reaching the living part of the tooth called the pulp. When the pulp becomes infected with bacteria, it dies and a decaying process begins.

Trauma is another way a tooth can die. A sever blow can sever the nerve at the root tip causing it to die. Sometimes, it dies quickly or takes several years.

Dental procedures can cause a tooth to die.  Although the procedures are necessary, it can add stress to teeth, where it may not be able to withstand the drilling. The pulp inflames and dies.

Another reason a tooth can die is it fractures.  Some teeth crack deep into the pulp and can be repaired.  It is possible for the tooth to be cracked, and the only fix is an extraction.

Facts about a dead tooth are universal.

Generally a tooth becomes abscessed after the pulp dies, and requires a root canal to remove the dead, decaying tissue.  An abscess will form at the tip of the root and a pus pocket appear.  The puss formed in the area of the dead tissue, and if left go, will infect the bone around the root.  Sometimes, people develop a pimple on the gums, allowing the pus to drain.  This can cause a bad taste in the mouth.  The infection can spread to neighboring teeth.

In rare cases, people have died. Dead teeth require either a root canal therapy or an dental extraction.  If you have a dead tooth, see a dentist today!  Your health depends on it says +Kirk Kimmerling DDS.