When it comes to bad breath, obvious offenders, like strong-smelling foods or poor oral hygiene, are often top-of-mind. However, bad breath doesn't always come straight from your mouth — it could stem from a problem in your stomach. Bad breath from stomach issues can be perplexing because it's harder to identify, isolate, and treat. Still, understanding what causes bad breath from the stomach can help you decide if your breath is from a garlicky lunch or something more serious.
Bad Breath Causes
Your digestive tract can have more to do with your oral health than you think. The first step in dealing with bad breath, or halitosis, that seems to come from the stomach is determining its cause. If you know that you're sensitive to certain foods, your bad breath could be related to stomach acid. Or, if you notice that your breath smells like ammonia, it could be the result of a kidney infection or chronic disease. Here are some common causes of bad breath from stomach issues.
GERD or reflux — Bad breath can be a sign of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. If you tend to have heartburn or reflux, your bad breath could be related to the excess acid produced by your digestive tract. Those acids can have a sour odor, affecting your breath.
Kidney disease — The U.S. National Library of Medicine noted that bad breath that smells fishy or has a heavy ammonia-like smell can sometimes be a sign of chronic kidney disease.
Ulcers — A link has been found between bad breath and H. pylori bacteria. This bacteria is a common cause of peptic ulcers, as well as dyspepsia. However, additional research needs to be performed to determine precisely how H. pylori contribute to bad breath.
Bowel obstruction — One symptom of bowel obstruction is bad breath. This occurs because nothing can move down your intestinal tract. Everything inside the digestive tract ferments and produces a bad odor that escapes through the mouth.
Talk to your doctor about how to cure bad breath coming from the stomach. Make sure to discuss all of your symptoms, not just the bad breath, to develop a treatment plan.
Bad Breath Remedies
The main treatment for bad breath from the stomach is treating the root cause. In addition to that, you can take some daily steps to help freshen your breath.
Avoid your triggers. Take note of triggers like spicy food, dairy, stress, or other things that seem to make your bad breath worse so you can steer clear of them.
Chew gum. Try chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production and help banish bad breath.
Keep a healthy mouth. Brush twice a day, clean in between your teeth with interdental brushes, floss, or water flossers daily, and use a mouthwash to ensure you don't have food particles or bacteria contributing to bad breath.
Consider a probiotic. Better breath could start with a healthier gut, so talk to your doctor about taking a probiotic or adding a daily cup of yogurt to your health routine.
It's not always simple to identify the cause of bad breath, and sometimes the problem is more complicated than forgetting to brush. Keep track of solutions you've tried and other symptoms you're experiencing so you can talk with your doctor to find the underlying cause. That way, you can address the issue head-on and work toward fresher breath!
As you age, it’s likely that your teeth are going to require some extra care and attention! A lifetime of crunching, chewing and grinding is inevitably going to affect your smile, but there are certainly ways you can prevent damage and keep your teeth in great condition. Take a look at our tips that can help you maintain a healthy, youthful mouth.
1. Brush and clean in between your teeth twice a day
It might seem obvious, but brushing and flossing (or using interdental brushes) at least twice a day is extremely important if you want to maintain a good level of oral health. As well as preventing gum disease and tooth decay, it can also help you maintain that sparkling smile!
Receding gums are common in old age, so it’s best sticking to a soft-to-medium textured brush to prevent tooth sensitivity. If you have arthritis, you might struggle to brush your teeth properly—if this is the case, then you should definitely consider using an electric toothbrush to make things easier.
2. Keep your dentures and bridges clean
If you have dentures, partial dentures or bridges because of missing teeth, it is important to clean them just as often as you would clean your teeth! Unclean dentures can lead to the same issues that are caused by unclean teeth, as well as oral thrush and other mouth infections.
To keep them clean, the Oral Health Foundation recommends brushing them with a non-abrasive denture cleaner rather than toothpaste. You should also soak them in a denture-cleaning solution at least once a day (ideally overnight, unless you’re instructed to wear them during that time). This should remove bacteria, prevent tartar build-up and help you maintain a fresh smile!
3. Prevent dry mouth
When you get older, you’re more likely to be on some form of medication. Dry mouth is listed as a side-effect of hundreds of medicines, so this is certainly something to be aware of. The condition—also known as xerostomia—is caused by decreased levels of saliva, a substance which is essential in maintaining a healthy oral environment.
Because saliva helps to wash away food particles and neutralise acid, dry mouth puts suffers at risk of issues such as gum disease, tooth decay and even tooth loss. Ways of preventing dry mouth include chewing sugar-free gum to promote saliva production, using specially-formulated mouthwashes and taking regular sips of water throughout the day.
Teeth whitening is a fast, safe and effective way of getting better-looking teeth. However, to ensure the best possible results, some precautions have to be taken. For example, there are certain foods that you should avoid after teeth whitening.
Immediately after teeth whitening, teeth are more prone to staining, for up to a good 24 hours. This is true for both in-clinic teeth whitening and at-home teeth whitening procedures. Not surprisingly, items that normally cause staining will be able to do their life’s work in that small, post-whitening window.
Here are some examples of things to avoid after teeth whitening.
Coffee and tea
Red wine
Dark sauces
Chocolate
Tobacco
When in doubt, avoid anything that would ruin a crisp shirt. Let’s dive in deeper and see why we should avoid the mentioned foods after teeth whitening.
1. Coffee and Tea
Coffee and tea are the staining fraternity’s most notorious duo. Avoid them at all costs during the first 24 hours after teeth whitening when the teeth are the most vulnerable towards stains, even if it means droopy eyelids at work. This is because coffee and tea contain tannins, an organic substance that can stain your teeth yellow.
There are no alternatives for coffee and tea, including white coffee, of course.
2. Red Wine
Red wine is the number one teeth stainer, especially if it is big, bold and tannic. Remember, big and bold also equals to big and bold stains. Overall, we should be avoiding red-coloured foods and drinks altogether.
Such is the potency, that we even have to avoid fruits commonly used to describe red wines. Think blackberries, currants, etc. These dark berries have powerful pigments that can quickly darken teeth.
Alternatives to Red Wine: enjoy a white wine instead. White wine is comparatively less invasive when it comes to staining the teeth.
3. Dark Sauces
This rather broad category encompasses anything from the blacker-than-black Asian black sauce, to a comparatively benign ragu bolognese, and everything in between.
Curries deserve an honourable mention here, as they often contain ingredients like turmeric, which readily imparts colour and might stain the teeth after teeth whitening.
Alternatives to Dark Sauces/Curries: Chow down on a safe meal like white bee hoon or pasta alfredo.
4. Chocolate
Chocolate bars, powder, ice cream, and fountains? Just say no. Happiness can wait. You should avoid dark foods like chocolate after whitening your teeth. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to enjoy your favourite dessert again after a few days of abstaining.
There are no alternatives for chocolate. But if you’re craving a sweet snack after teeth whitening, consider cheesecake or vanilla ice cream instead.
5. Tobacco
Smoking is generally bad for your oral health, and it can ruin a newly-whitened smile. This includes cigarettes and all other forms of tobacco. Nicotine and tar from tobacco products easily mix with saliva and darken the teeth.
The alternatives for smoking after teeth whitening are vaping and e-cigarettes can be less staining for your teeth (but they are still potentially bad for your health).
Enjoy your pearly-whites for as long as possible by avoiding these 5 foods, especially in the first few days. Should any of these be consumed/used inadvertently, rinse out immediately, have a good brush, and say a little prayer.
Epidemiological studies estimate that about 178 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth. A missing tooth can alter the look of a person’s smile. Whether the problem is due to tooth decay, gum disease, trauma, or genetics, it can eventually affect your teeth’s alignment. Without replacement, missing teeth can cause a host of issues down the road. Are you thinking of getting a dental implant? If you’re worried that you’ll get a toothache with implants, read on to learn more about this popular method of tooth replacement.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are surgical fixtures made of titanium cylinder screws. Your dental implant dentist places these into your jawbone below the gums. They are reliable and feel like a real tooth. It’s regarded as a permanent solution for those with a missing tooth or multiple teeth. Implants are one of the standards of care for prosthetic replacement of missing teeth. Having an implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth.
Will It Cause Tooth Pain?
Before the implant surgery, the area where an incision will be made will be numbed using an anesthetic. This means that you should not feel any discomfort during the surgical procedure itself. After the operation and as soon as the drug has worn off, it’s normal to experience some side effects. The area that your dental surgeon operated on may bleed slightly and feel tender. There may be some swelling and bruising too.
Every patient heals differently. Everyone also has their own pain threshold. The discomfort you will experience will depend on how complicated your dental implant surgery was. Placing only a single implant will not be as painful as having to affix multiple implants. Rest assured that your dental implant dentist will provide you a ballpark after your operation on how long you can expect to feel pain for. On average, the side effects should subside 10 days after the surgery. The discomfort should improve following the procedure, not worsen. So, if you notice that the swelling, toothache, bleeding, and other pains are getting worse after three days, you need to call your surgeon immediately.
Signs of Dental Implant Infection
As previously mentioned, implants work like natural teeth. This means that they, too, can become infected. If neglected, your implants will become diseased and eventually fail. Here are the common signs that you need to watch out for:
Fever.
Icky taste.
Bad breath.
Difficulty chewing.
Loose dental implant.
Pus from the surgical site.
Throbbing pain from the area.
Dull ache or tenderness on palpation.
Red or puffy gums around the implant.
Bleeding when brushing around the implant.
Depending on the infection level, your dental implant dentist may prescribe antibiotics and special mouth rinses. They may also provide a combination of other treatment options. This way, they can get your dental implant back on a healthy track, preventing it from causing any systemic illness.
Have you been putting off making that dentist appointment for awhile? Maybe you’ve got a nagging suspicion that you’ve got a cavity, and don’t want to deal with it.
That’s not a good idea. Your tooth decay will only get worse, leading to a more painful root canal down the line.
You also might be experiencing symptoms, without even knowing it, that should land you right in that dentist’s chair straight away.
Want to make sure your teeth are as healthy as can be?
Read on to make sure you’re not avoiding dental issues (accidentally or otherwise) that should be taken care of now!
Set A Dentist Appointment For Bleeding Gums
This is probably a familiar scene to you: you’re feeling the self-love today, so after brushing your teeth, you decide to take a whack at flossing. You guiltily pick the plastic floss container and tear a piece off, knowing you don’t do it as often as you should.
As you start flossing in between your teeth, the floss comes back red with blood.
Should you be worried? Have you ever wondered why your gums bleed when you floss?
It may seem like it’s not a big deal, but bleeding gums can actually be a sign that you need to make a dentist appointment, pronto.
Remnants of the food you eat eventually decomposes into bacteria in your mouth. That bacteria can get stuck in between your teeth. It’s incredibly irritating to your gums, making them sensitive to pressure.
Flossing provides just enough pressure to bother those inflamed gums. If you don’t floss twice a day, or your gums bleed when you floss, you may be at risk for gingivitis. This can lead to periodontitis or tooth loss down the road, so it’s best to make that dentist appointment now.
Translucent Teeth
Take a look in the mirror, and flash those pearly whites. Do you notice that they’re a little translucent around the edges?
If so, you might be suffering from bruxism without even knowing it. Bruxism is the medical term for grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. Frequently, this happens at night while you’re fast asleep.
That’s why it can take awhile to get diagnosed. If you don’t realize you’re doing it and don’t know what to look for, how could you ever know there’s a problem?
Translucent teeth are a result of grinding your enamel down from bruxism. If this sounds like you, you should see a dentist ASAP.
Bad Breath
Dealing with bad breath can be annoying and embarrassing. Do you brush regularly, but your breath still reeks? Does it seem like minty gum just does nothing for you?
There might be something more going on. Bad breath can be a sign of tooth decay, tooth infection, or gum disease.
If you’re growing more and more frustrated with chronic bad breath, head to a dentist. They may be able to find out what’s really going on, and help you find a long-term solution. No more gum!
Pain in the Jaw
If you’re experiencing pain in your jaw, especially when you wake up in the morning, you might need to see a dentist. Pain in your jaw can be a sign of temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ. TMJ is easily treatable, though, if you seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.
Jaw pain can also mean that you’re grinding your teeth at night. It can be a sign of an abscessed tooth that will need to be removed. It can even be a sign of a misaligned bite.
All of these things are treatable! Don’t wait to take care of them.
Insecurity
Let’s face it: insecurity over your teeth can sometimes affect your mental health pretty drastically. It doesn’t have to be this way.
If you’re insecure about crooked teeth, there’s a solution. Try Invisalign to straighten them out. You don’t have to be an adult with braces!
You can also have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist if they’re starting to yellow. It’s that, or give up coffee! And who can give up coffee?
Professional whitening is also safer than at-home whitening treatments. At-home treatments can sometimes mask dark spots that a dentist might need for a potential diagnosis. They can also cause tooth sensitivity that can be painful!
Plaque Buildup
You’ve probably heard that you should be going to the dentist twice a year for cleaning. You’ve also probably blown it off at least a couple of times.
The reality is that it’s as important as ever to get your bi-annual cleanings. Plaque and tartar buildup can lead to gum disease and tooth infection.
It’s also important to get checked up by your dentist at least this frequently to maintain your oral health. At your cleaning appointment, your dentist can check for cavities. They can also keep their eye out for early signs of disease to head it off before it becomes a problem.
Wisdom Teeth
If you’re a teenager or young adult and your wisdom teeth are growing in, make a dentist appointment to assess whether or not they’ll need to be pulled.
If you let them grow in without this advice, there might not be room in your mouth for all your new teeth. That can lead to an impacted wisdom tooth, which can lead to a really painful infection called pericoronitis.
If your wisdom teeth have already grown in, check them out in the mirror to see if your gums are beginning to grow over them. Sometimes, a gum flap will develop. This is the leading sign of pericoronitis.
If you see these signs and symptoms around your wisdom teeth, make a dentist appointment soon to avoid infection!
Sociology as a subject has a disclaimer before anybody studies it and which says about unlearning things which we have stereotyped in our thinking. The same concept applies to many things in our life and facts are something which help us to burst our myths.
Human brain is naturally inquisitive and seeks to satisfy its curiosity by knowing various facts and knowledge.
Sabka Dentist too wants its patients to unlearn many things about their teeth, oral healthcare etc and enlighten them with right knowledge in the form of dental facts or facts about teeth.
Today, we will look in depth about the dental facts, as dental facts are less known. This will help you burst dental myths and facts will provide you to practice proper oral healthcare.
To your surprise, there are many weird dental facts also which are interesting facts about the teeth. Look at some weird dental facts below.
Brushing
Have you ever imagined how much time we spend brushing teeth in our whole life ? Definitely not, right ? We spend almost 38.5 days just brushing our teeth. It’s almost more than a month.
A toothbrush is made up of approximately 2500 bristles ! Yes, this dental fact is absolutely true and first such toothbrush with bristles was invented in China. It was no less than an innovation then. It was “Avishkar” then, you know haha !
Flossing:
You might think it’s a modern phenomenon to floss but it’s not the case. Flossing was first done way back in 1882. Shocked?! We know, dental facts are shocking and even knowledgeable at the same time.
The material used to floss the very first time was silk. Today, it’s made up of plastic, time to shift to biodegradable and environment friendly material. Let’s do our bit to save the mother earth !
General Oral Health:
Cold is the most common disease in the world, then which is the second most ? Don’t you know?! To your surprise, its tooth decay. Yes, this dental fact is almost less known. Now that you know this one of the interesting facts about teeth, don’t neglect even the smallest tooth decay.
To avoid cavities and gums, people adopt many treatments but a simple naturally occurring food is your rescue. Yes, Coconut is anti bacterial naturally and helps to keep gums, cavities at bay and our smile is embellished :)
Let’s look at some more dental facts, now you are thrilled to know more interesting facts about teeth right ? Haha, we get the feeling !
Your teeth are no less than DNA: As DNA is a unique part of every human being, one of the most amazing facts about teeth is that your teeth are also unique and there is no match found anywhere in the world. This is one of the dental facts which is rarely known to people and Sherlock Holmes could have used to solve many cases, haha ! Even the tongue print is unique !
Bones as the hardest material in your body ? NO ! Tooth enamel is the hardest: People frequently refer to the word called tooth enamel but do you what is tooth enamel made up of and what is it exactly? Enamel is basically the outer coating on your teeth made up of calcium and phosphate, which is the strongest part of your body. The inner layers of the teeth are protected by enamel. Now, you perfectly know what is enamel made of and how significant it is.
Sugar is generally antagonist: Sugar has a bad name generally and although your enamel is very hard it is prone to damages due to frequent consumptions of sugar laced food. This is one of the dental facts that is very important as Indians generally tend to eat a lot of sugary stuff. The effects of sugar on teeth are seldom known, as we often associate it to diabetes only.
Your mouth is a reservoir of bacteria: Your mouth is home to more than 300 types of bacteria and it’s very normal to be precise. But some bacteria are harmful and one of them is “Streptococcus mutans”, sugar and carbohydrates are converted by it into acids. This causes decay of tooth
Stalactite structure: Usually the structure of our teeth is similar to iceberg and that too stalactite type one. One third of every tooth is beneath the gums. This invisible part anchors your teeth and it’s important to keep the health of gums firm as they are primary structure which hold the teeth.
Simplest way to detect decay in teeth is anything yellow in colour: Dentin is yellow in colour and it is the next layer after the enamel. Yellower teeth are a result of thin enamel and dentin is practically visible. First sign of cavities is the yellowish texture on teeth. After getting to know these dental facts, please consult a dentist at earliest if you spot any yellowish thing on your teeth to avoid further damages.
Enamel is constant in size but dentin is not: One of more amazing facts about teeth is that dentin is also stronger than your bones. Their main function is to transfer nerve signals and nutrition with help of structure called tubules which are like passageways. Enamel does not change in size and nature but dentin is under constant changes all through your life.
On average your mouth produces 40,000 liters of spit: The saliva produced by your mouth plays many catalytic functions. It aids the chewing process, helps to swallow food with ease and even is made of enzymes which aid the digestion process. One liter of saliva is produced every day, enough to fill a litre of water bottle.
Plaque is to be avoided at all cost: There is constantly a white sticky substance getting layered on your teeth, that is nothing but plaque. It contains many harmful bacteria and needs to be removed everyday to avoid decay. If not removed, it turns into tartar. A healthy routine of brushing twice a day is a must along with flossing.
Bad breath can cost heavily: Generally, people who suffer from bad breath are not aware of the condition. To check if you have one or not, with the help of floss scrap your tongue and give a sniff. In absence of telltale smell, your breath is clean. Dental facts about bad breath are very important as they may lose you a business deal to a date too!
With the help of these dental facts, you can also take care of your family dental needs.
If you've recently discovered a hard growth of tissue on the inside of your mouth, you're probably wondering what it is. Most likely an oral fibroma, what you've found is a scab of fibrous tissue that usually develops from constant irritation to that specific area of your mouth. Let's go over what this common lesion is, how it's found, and recommendations for prevention and treatment. While discovering a new growth within your mouth can be alarming at first, learning about why you've developed a fibroma and how to treat it should put your mind at ease.
Fibromas are masses that can appear in other parts of the body but are commonly found in the oral cavity. They're hard and smooth tumor-like clumps of scar tissue. Fibromas appear as the same color as the skin on the inside of the mouth, white or dark red, if they have recently bled from irritation.
How Fibromas Develop
This mass of connective tissue usually grows in response to trauma or localized irritation. What does this mean? A traumatic fibroma forms from the constant "bothering" of a particular area of your mouth. For example, if you continuously chew on the inside of your cheek, a fibroma could form in that spot. While fibromas are hardly ever cancerous, they can get bigger when irritated or grow larger over time.
How They're Found
Usually, if you have a fibroma, you're the one to find it! Or a dental or medical professional, upon routine examination, discovers it. On rare occasions, fibromas can show up in the maxilla (upper jaw) or mandible (lower jaw). These types of fibromas are more likely to be discovered in digital imaging rather than from you noticing them in your day-to-day routine.
Where They Occur
As noted above, oral fibromas develop in your oral cavity. Specifically, fibromas are on your tongue and the inside of your cheeks and lips. They can even grow on the outside of your mouth and have the potential to become raised. Keep in mind that fibromas develop from repeatedly biting a specific area of your skin, irritation by a foreign object (like dentures, for example), or trauma to the surrounding tissue.
Fibromas are more likely to occur in adults but can occur at any age. Ossifying fibroma, for example, a specific type of fibroma, can occur in children.
How to Treat Them
While continuing your oral health routine is essential, avoid using your toothbrush to brush your fibroma. This type of irritation can bother it further. Removing the fibroma is usually your best course of treatment. Even though most fibromas are almost always benign, your dental professional may determine that removing the tissue as a precaution is a good idea. They will then send your biopsy to a pathologist specializing in this type of tissue sample. If there is a cause for removing your fibroma, an oral maxillofacial surgeon can complete this procedure in an uncomplicated process of numbing the area, extracting the fibroma, and stitching the incision up. The healing process is usually relatively short, allowing you to continue your regular oral care.
While learning about fibroma treatment can help put your mind at ease, it's also essential to know how to prevent a future fibroma from forming! As we know that most oral fibromas develop from continual trauma or irritation to a specific area of your mouth, it's helpful to become aware of your habits that caused your original fibroma. Breaking these habits takes time! But with the help of your dental professional, you can begin to adopt preventive measures to keep your mouth wound-free.
You may have heard conflicting information from different dentists about whether you should brush your teeth after eating. And while getting the extra food residue out of the way is important, it's also true that your teeth can be quite vulnerable to damage if you brush less than 30 minutes after a meal.The bacteria that dine on sugars and starches start to work almost immediately, producing acids that can soften your enamel. So the time just after you eat or drink, especially something sugary or starchy or acidic, is the most vulnerable time for your teeth. Here are some gentler ways you can clean your teeth and mouth after eating or drinking.
1. Rinse With Water
Just plain water can actually help a lot more than you'd expect. For example, a couple of quick swishes after you finish eating can provide these benefits:
Removing food residue from your tooth surfaces so there's less for bacteria to eat
Rinsing away any acids from your food or beverage that could soften your enamel
Rinsing away some of the bacteria (although not a lot)
After eating or drinking, you should always rinse with water immediately. If you don't have anything else on hand, just swishing water around in your mouth a few times is much better than nothing. Just remember to use plain water, not water with lemon in it.
2. Use PH Neutralizing Mouthwash
Even if what you ate wasn't particularly acidic, the bacteria in your mouth will start to turn the sugars and starches into acid within a few minutes of the time you start eating. A mouthwash with a high (alkaline) PH helps to nullify these acids somewhat.If you have plaque or tartar in your mouth, the mouthwash won't be able to reach everywhere since the bacteria hide under the plaque. But it will still help reduce the severity of the acid attack on your enamel. And the PH neutralization also helps to reduce the overpopulation of bad bacteria, since they love acids and good bacteria tend to prefer an alkaline PH.
3. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
You may not have previously considered gum to be a method of cleaning your mouth. But as long as the gum is sugar-free, it may actually help. One way it can help is because the action of chewing the gum helps to increase saliva flow and to move saliva around the mouth.Saliva helps to not only wash away any food residue, but also neutralize PH levels (since healthy saliva is typically around a neutral PH). It also brings minerals to the surface of the enamel that's been attacked by acids.You can increase the cavity-fighting potential of your gum by choosing one that contains xylitol. Because it's similar enough to sugar that bad bacteria may try to eat it but not similar enough to actually let them digest it, xylitol can help block the production of acids after eating.
4. Use Water Flosser
A water flosser is considered a gentler way to clean your teeth than brushing and string flossing. That's why people whose gums are so sensitive that flossing is a painful and bloody affair often use it. Because it uses a stream of water rather than mechanical brushing, a water flosser won't physically scrape the softened enamel away.You can also use something like a neutralizing mouthwash in your water flosser to improve the cleaning potential. Check the manufacturer recommendations first, though; some water flossers don't do well with solutions such as saltwater. Remember, a water flosser isn't a substitute for your regularly scheduled daily brushing and flossing, though.These are some ways you can clean your mouth out directly after eating without running the risk of damaging your enamel.
(10/04/2022) by New England Dental Health Services
When most people think of an infection, they think of being sick. Unfortunately, many people do not include mouth infections in their idea of being sick. The reasons for this are many.
Some people mistakenly assume that the mouth is separate from the rest of the body because it requires the care of a dentist instead of a medical doctor. Therefore, they think that problems in your mouth do not make you “sick”.
For others, it is simply the lack of the understanding that many dental problems actually are serious infections.
There are some people who believe that if nothing hurts, then nothing is wrong.
All of these misconceptions are dangerous because they cause people to overlook serious infectious diseases in the mouth.
What is an Infection?
An infection is the invasion of the human body by disease-causing microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, and fungi among others). These organisms multiply and produce toxins, which cause the body to respond with inflammation.
Like the gastrointestinal tract and the skin, the mouth is always full of microorganisms, and most of them are not bad. Many bacteria are actually good for the body. The term infection does not include these good organisms. Infections involve bad bacteria that cause disease and destruction of the body’s tissues. The most common infections in the mouth are caused by a wide variety of bacteria. Fungal infections can often occur on the tongue, roof of the mouth, and corners of the lips.
What Dental Problems are Actually Infections?
Most dental problems are actually infectious diseases. There are a few that can occur in the absence of bad microorganisms, like cracked teeth or TMJ problems. The vast majority, though, are the result of an overgrowth of the wrong kinds of organisms in the mouth.
Cavities
There are multiple types of bacteria associated with cavities, and the most common is Streptococcus mutans. This bacteria adheres to the tooth in dental plaque (which is why brushing and flossing helps prevent cavities). This bacteria ingests carbohydrates and produces a strong acid as the by-product.
Because these bacteria stick to the teeth, the acid comes into direct contact with the tooth and begins to soften and weaken the enamel. Without intervention, the bacteria continue to multiply, producing more and more acid, which dissolves tooth structure. As the process continues, the bacteria literally eats its way through a tooth, leaving a hole (or “cavity”) in its wake. Unchecked cavities destroy the tooth itself.
Cavities become very dangerous when the bacteria reach the nerve and blood vessels in the hollow center of the tooth. As they continue to multiply and spread, a large abscess can form. In the most dangerous scenarios, the infection spreads into the airway, bloodstream or brain, causing death.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, which includes gingivitis and periodontal disease, is the body’s response to an infection of toxic bacteria in the gums. As the bacteria collect in various crevices around the teeth, they produce toxins that destroy gum tissue and jawbone. Once started, this process is impossible to stop without intervention by a dentist.
Gum disease does spread to nearby teeth and can develop abscesses, just like cavities can. Unchecked gum disease destroys the foundation of the teeth, so even healthy teeth can simply fall out.
Candida Fungal Infections (Thrush)
Fungal infections are slightly less common than bacterial infections in the mouth. They often occur on the roof of the mouth underneath a denture or partial. Thrush commonly develops on the tongue in a person with a severely dry mouth or compromised immune system. You can also experience an overgrowth of fungus in the corners of the mouth, called angular cheilitis.
Fungal infections cause a whitish buildup in the affected area and can be uncomfortable, if not outright painful. This type of infection commonly affects the very young, the very old, and the very sick.
What Symptoms Indicate the Presence of a Mouth Infection?
The problem with dental problems is that they often occur without causing any symptoms in their early stages. We always want to stress the importance of consistent dental evaluations so that you prevent any infections or catch them in the earliest stages.
Pain
A toothache or pain in your gums is a bad sign. Because of the prevalence of cavities and gum disease, it is safe to assume that pain in your mouth is a symptom of an infection. This is especially true for people who have not seen a dentist in over a year.
Swelling
Any swelling in the gums is a red flag for infection. If it is a small pimple-like swelling on the gums, you likely have an abscess from a tooth. Swelling around multiple teeth where the gums meet the teeth is a sign of inflammatory gum disease.
Any swelling that affects the head or neck and is visible from outside the mouth is extremely dangerous. Treat any such swelling as an emergency and seek urgent care!
Bleeding Gums
Healthy gums do not bleed. Only the presence of inflammation causes bleeding of the gums, especially during normal oral hygiene like brushing and flossing. The inflammation, which includes redness, swelling and tenderness, is the body’s natural response to toxins produced by the bacteria in dental plaque.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is the result of stinky gases produced by bacteria in the mouth. Often these bacteria hide in the grooves and tiny crevices on the tongue or between the teeth. The more bacteria present, the worse your breath will be.
Receding Gums and/or Loose Teeth
As gum disease progresses, the destruction of gum tissue and bone by bacterial toxins causes the gums to back away down the roots of the teeth. This is often visible as receding gums, making the teeth appear longer. As the gums and bone recede, you lose vital support for the teeth, and they may become loose.
When teeth become loose without any injury, it indicates a serious gum infection called periodontal disease or periodontitis. Chronic periodontal disease increases your risk for heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. This is not something to ignore!
A Persistent White Coating
A fuzzy or sticky white coating that persists for several days, even with good oral hygiene, may indicate a fungal infection. The fungus Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus that will reproduce rapidly whenever it can.
Do not attempt to scrape or scratch away any white coating that does not rinse off with a vigorous warm salt water swishing. Simply perform your normal oral hygiene routine and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Then see your dentist or medical doctor for evaluation and prescription of an anti-fungal medication.
Many patients know they should keep their teeth clean to keep them healthy, but what about a clean mouth? Your oral health is reflected not only in how clean you keep your teeth, but how well you take care of your gums and how clean your tongue is. It’s called “oral health” instead of “teeth health” because you should keep your entire mouth clean. Keeping your teeth brushed and flossed each day will help prevent tooth decay. If your gums are healthy and free of plaque, you will prevent gingivitis and gum disease from setting in. Keeping your tongue clean will lower the amount of bacteria you have in your mouth, preventing oral health problems and issues such as bad breath. When it comes to your oral health, it’s important to keep the entire mouth clean. Find out how you can today!
A Child Needs a Clean Mouth
At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we specialize in providing comprehensive children’s dental services in a safe, fun, and educational environment. Why? It’s in the early years that children learn the importance of a clean mouth and how much it affects their health as a whole. Children will begin to grow in their baby teeth around 6 months of age or later. Some infants receive teeth sooner, and some take up to age 3 to get their teeth. A child will have 20 baby teeth that will be smaller and more spaced out than an adult mouth. This is so that the jaws can continue growing until a child is ready to start receiving permanent teeth.
Children will start to lose their teeth around 6 or 7 years old and can lose them all the way into adolescence. That means that children have their baby teeth for quite a few years. Children also love sugary sweets and need guidance when it comes to combating cavities that sugar causes. Children do not yet have the motor skills to properly brush and floss the teeth when little. Parents must be vigilant about brushing and flossing their infant’s teeth as soon as they come in and in brushing their children’s teeth until a child learns how. Then, they must ensure that a child brushes several times a day to prevent cavities that decay the teeth. Baby teeth are smaller and more delicate, so cavities can destroy a mouth in a hurry if oral hygiene habits aren’t established to keep a clean mouth.
Keeping a Clean Mouth as an Adult
You may think that brushing and flossing the teeth come naturally to adults, but that’s not true. There are millions of Americans each day that don’t brush or floss their teeth, don’t do it properly, or don’t do it enough. Studies show that some people don’t even remember the last time they brushed their teeth twice a day or flossed. That creates quite a problem, as oral health and overall health and wellness can decline if you don’t take care of your mouth.
An adult still needs to take proper care of their teeth. A child’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, which leads to permanent, adult teeth that come in. These teeth are no less susceptible to cavities and decay. Just because they are referred to as “permanent” teeth doesn’t mean that they will permanently stay in the mouth if they are not cared for. There is a saying among many dentists that states, “You don’t have to brush all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep.” That saying is incredibly true for every person. You only receive one set of adult teeth that are supposed to last you many decades. You must take care of them to keep them, or you may find yourself toothless after just a few short years.
Why Is This Important?
Some of the most chronic conditions worldwide have to do with the mouth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that tooth decay (a.k.a. cavities) are one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in the United States and on a global scale. Gum disease as well affects more than 64.7 million American adults. That number doesn’t even include children that have gum problems! The interesting fact about both tooth decay and gum disease is that they are both 100% preventable if you keep a clean mouth. You do that through proper oral hygiene habits.
Tooth decay is caused when plaque is not removed from the teeth often enough. You get plaque in your mouth every single day as bacteria in your saliva mixes with sugars in the foods you eat. This creates an acidic substance (that plaque) that erodes your tooth enamel away and causes decay (cavities). Plaque also attacks and irritates the gums, causing them to become red, inflamed, and to even recede from the teeth. If oral hygiene habits don’t improve, the gums can recede enough that the teeth begin falling out. Many teeth can fall out very quickly, which is why you want to avoid gum disease in its entirety.
Oral Health Is Very Important
Your oral health is extremely important. How well you take care of your mouth is a reflection of how well you take care of the rest of your body. Problems with the mouth can lead to illnesses and chronic conditions all over the body. For example, if you have an infection in your mouth, that infection can eventually get into your bloodstream. If that happens, you can suffer fatigue, pain, nausea, severe sickness, and more. None of those problems ever have to happen if you keep a clean mouth through brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist often! Keep track of your oral health to keep your teeth healthy and to keep them for many years.
(10/04/2022) by Hardy Pediatric Dentistry And Orthodontics
