There are a lot of oral hygiene products on the market, and it can be hard to know which ones to choose for you and your family's specific needs. Just looking at the oral hygiene section in the drugstore can be overwhelming—just for the sheer number of products available without even getting into what uses they have. Read on for some tips on choosing the best toothbrushes, toothpastes, mouthwashes and flosses for you!
Toothbrushes. The easiest way to find a toothbrush that is safe and effective is to look for the seal of the American Dental Association. Once you've found that seal, what remains is personal preference. The ADA recommends you choose a toothbrush that you will find easy to use twice a day to remove food and plaque from your teeth. Looking for a toothbrush in you or your child's favorite color is a great place to start. Then consider head shape and bristle firmness. If you suffer from gingivitis, a soft-bristled toothbrush is best because it will be less irritating to your gums. The ADA endorses both manual and powered toothbrushes. You may like to consider a powered toothbrush for your child. They might have more fun brushing with a powered toothbrush, which can make it easier to convince them to brush twice a day as the ADA recommends. Whatever type of toothbrush you choose, be sure to replace it every 3-4 months, or whenever the bristles start to look worn.
Toothpaste. Another important part of an oral hygiene routine is toothpaste. You should also look for the ADA seal when choosing a toothpaste. There are many options for toothpaste available and you should choose one depending on your personal needs. It doesn't matter what brand you choose as long as it has the ADA seal. Whitening toothpastes are popular and use a mild abrasive like baking soda to remove stains on the surface of your teeth. Some also contain hydrogen peroxide to gently bleach your teeth. If you have sensitive teeth, gingivitis or other oral issues, try a toothpaste made especially for your condition. For small children who might still swallow the toothpaste, a toothpaste without added fluoride is the best way to go. Toothpastes with only natural ingredients are available for people who prefer to avoid chemicals. The most popular toothpaste flavor is mint, but there are also berry, cinnamon, citrus and herbal flavored toothpastes available.
Mouthwash. When considering a mouthwash, it should come as no surprise that the ADA seal is the first thing you should look for. Like toothpastes, there are many kinds of mouthwashes that are tailored to different oral needs. The purpose of a mouthwash is to decrease bacteria in the mouth after brushing. Bacteria eating the stuff left on your teeth is what causes cavities, so if you don't currently use mouthwash in your oral care routine, it may be time to add it! Most mouthwashes use alcohol to kill off germs. Some may use other germ-killing ingredients. If you have children, there are alcohol-free mouthwashes made especially for kids in many different flavors and bottle designs.
Dental floss. Dental floss helps to remove bits of food and plaque from between your teeth, and is an important part of an oral care routine. Most people are familiar with the box of waxed, minty floss that you wrap around your fingers and slide between your teeth. However, there are also floss picks which you might find easier to use. You simply hold the plastic part of the pick in your fingers and slide the floss end between your teeth.
No matter what products you choose to use in your oral health routine, if you remember these tips for a clean, healthy mouth:
Look for the ADA seal of approval
Choose products you like and will want to use
Brush and rinse twice a day and floss at least once a day
You will be on your way to great oral health in no time between these tips and regular oral health evaluations!
BRUSHING YOUR TEETH twice a day for two minutes is an important practice that helps keep your smile bright and healthy. But, does it have to be boring? We certainly don’t think so!
Brush For A Full Two Minutes
Using proper brushing technique for at least two minutes is necessary to ensure that all tooth surfaces are properly cleaned.
Sometimes we may be tempted to speed through our morning routine and brush a bit more vigorously to make up the difference. Brushing too aggressively, however, can lead to gum recession, tooth decay, or more serious oral health concerns. So, how do we make brushing for the full two minutes more fun?
Fun Tips To Make The Time Fly By
Brush to the beat! Brushing your teeth to your favorite song can help those two minutes fly by.
Use an app. The Oral-B™ brushing app, for example, times your brushing for you while letting you scroll through the news.
Exercise. (Yes, exercise!) Some people choose to stretch, do calf raises or even squats while they brush.
Read, watch television or stream videos. Taking your mind off of watching the clock helps brushing go by more quickly.
What About The Kids?
Making brushing fun for you is one thing, for kids it can be even harder. So, what can we do as parents to help our kids enjoy those two minutes of brushing in their morning and nightly routine?
Participation. Having your kids push the button on the timer or put the toothpaste on the toothbrush are small gestures that make it more fun for them.
Make it a game! Help your kids use their imagination while brushing.
Offer a reward. For example, give your child points every time they brush. When they reach a certain amount of points, they can earn a special prize!
Brush with them! Kids love following the example of their parents and if they see you doing it, they will likely want to do it themselves.
We Love Helping You Care For Your Smile
In the end, it’s all about doing something you enjoy while brushing. Whether it’s reading the news, watching your favorite TV show, or listening to music, brushing those teeth can be quick, beneficial and fun!
If you have any questions about ways to make your oral health routine more enjoyable, feel free to ask! We are committed to providing you with all the tools you need to enjoy a lifetime of happy and healthy smiles.
With teeth whitening now more popular than ever, it’s great to know there are some excellent (and cheap) teeth whitening options available. Here’s how you can achieve a whiter smile in three easy ways.
Watch what you eat
Dark foods and drinks, such as berries, red wine and coffee are the most common culprits for staining your teeth, as are foods with vibrant colours such as curry. Avoiding these items when you’re trying to whiten your teeth can help, but sometimes this isn’t practical. In times like this, enjoy your treat, then give your mouth a quick rinse with water straight after. Rinsing will minimise the amount of contact your food or drink has with your enamel.
Take care of your teeth
Regular dental visits and a good at-home oral care routine can also help keep your teeth feeling fresher and whiter. Brushing twice a day removes plaque before it has a chance to harden into harmful tartar. Plus, it also helps remove any discolouration or stains before they set in.
Try using a toothpaste made with added whitening ingredients – this is a great way to keep up with your brushing routine while also helping to whiten your teeth. For the most efficient way to a whiter smile with toothpaste, look for one that contains hydrogen peroxide, a common and effective bleaching ingredient that’s used during professional teeth whitening treatments.
Try at-home whitening products
At-home whitening products recommended by your dental professional can produce significant results, whitening your teeth by at least a couple of shades in the privacy of your home. Although not as strong as in-chair whitening, dentist-prescribed home whitening trays are convenient, popular and cost-effective. So if you’re using a whitening toothpaste but would like to see your teeth a couple of shades lighter, speak to your dental professional to see if whitening trays would be suitable for you.
At-home treatments and smart dental care can make a noticeable difference by helping to brighten your smile by a few shades. Before you commence though, always check with your dental professional to see if they think your home teeth whitening plans are appropriate.
First, we recommend taking a moment to breathe and relax. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, dark spots rarely indicate a serious condition like cancer and are usually benign. Spots in the mouth are often not fully black but may appear that way as they can be hard to see. We’re here to help walk you through the causes of dark spots in your mouth and what they mean.
Causes of Dark Spots on Gums
Oral conditions like dark spots on your gums have various causes and can be challenging to diagnose. These spots can either be harmless or the result of an underlying disease, so it's essential to speak to your doctor if you believe you have any symptoms.
What exactly causes black spots on your gums? There are two categories of answers: those with internal causes and those with external causes.
Did you know: Internal causes are called endogenous and external causes are called exogenous.
Internal Causes
Internal pigments that cause skin colour changes can also modify your gums' colour to black, grey, blue, or brown. Blood vessels can even dysfunction or rupture, leading to discolouration.
Melanin can be altered by a variety of diseases and disorders that affect the production of this pigment. Cells in your body that produce melanin are called melanocytes.
Tuberculosis and Addison's disease can affect your adrenal glands and cause changes in pigmentation.
HIV, also called the human immunodeficiency virus, can lead to pigmented lesions in the mouth.
According to a research article published in the Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology, haemangiomas are most common soft tissue benign tumours, composed of blood vessels, and occur in the head and neck region (60%) and less commonly in the oral cavity; oral cavity if affected involves gingiva followed by the lips, tongue and palate.
External Causes
Exposure of your mouth to pigment produced outside the body can lead to discolouration in the form of dark or spots on the gums. Sources outside the body can also affect your body's production or regulation of pigment or iron, leading to a change in colour. These black dots can be caused by:
Drugs (prescription, over-the-counter and illegal)
Smoking and tobacco products
Trauma to the face or mouth
Heavy metals
Injury from graphite pencil
An old filling (also known as a dental amalgam)pushing into the gums
Oral Cancer
In rare cases, benign lesions that don't require treatment may transform into oral malignant melanoma, a type of oral cancer. A doctor will look at a range of factors to see if the lesion qualifies as melanoma. According to a research article published in the Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology, melanoma constitutes only 3–5% of all cutaneous malignancies, and oral melanoma is an aggressive neoplasm which accounts for less than 0.5%.
If you believe you have oral cancer symptoms, we recommend leaving the diagnosis up to the professionals and speaking to your doctor. If you exhibit symptoms, they may perform a biopsy (laboratory tests of your tissue) to confirm melanoma.
Remember that cancer is a rare cause of any dark spots in your mouth. A more benign explanation is much more likely, so don't stress. You've done a great job informing yourself of the possible causes, so be sure to make the next step for success and schedule an appointment or regular check-ups with your doctor.
If you’re experiencing tooth pain from an abscess, you may be wondering: Is there any tooth abscess home remedy that works? Are home remedies for tooth problems safe? In short, this is not a problem you can solve on your own, but you can take steps to reduce your discomfort while waiting for treatment from the pros. Read on for some vital information on this condition.
What Are Dental Abscesses?
If you’re experiencing a concerning amount of pain or discomfort in your mouth, it may be caused by a condition known as a dental abscess. An abscess is a hole or dent created by germs that can occur in your tooth (periapical abscess) or gums (periodontal abscess).
Your abscess may be caused by:
Not following a good oral care routine
Traumatic injury to your face or mouth
Dental work that has been damaged or broken.
Symptoms of a dental abscess may include:
Continuous pain coming from your mouth, jaw, neck, or ear
Swelling around the affected areas
Sensitivity to touch, pressure, or temperature
Unpleasant taste in your mouth due to the abscess draining
Fever.
When Should I See a Professional?
If you’re wondering how to get rid of a tooth abscess without going to the dentist, the simple answer is that you can’t. Your dental health has reached the point where you need professional intervention and treatment, or it will continue to worsen. Luckily, this is a great opportunity to talk with your dental professional, and they’re specially trained to help you solve the problem and understand what has caused it.
We recommend booking an appointment with your dental professional immediately. In the meantime, we have some helpful tips for finding relief at home while you’re waiting for your appointment.
Helpful tip: The Mayo Clinic recommends visiting the emergency room if you experience swelling and fever or have trouble breathing or swallowing.
Finding Relief
It’s important to remember that home remedies for your abscessed tooth will not treat your abscess or address its underlying cause. Your abscess will not get better without treatment from a professional, and will likely worsen. However, there are options available that may help temporarily reduce your discomfort in the meantime, which can still offer tremendous relief.
While you wait for professional treatment, there are many options that can help provide relief for your discomfort from a dental abscess:
Over-the-Counter Medication
Medications can help to reduce your pain or swelling. If you decide to go this route, be sure to use these medications as instructed on the packaging. This may be effective in helping to reduce your discomfort, but don't let it prevent you from scheduling an appointment with your dental professional.
Cold Compress
You can use a store-bought icepack or make your own at home by freezing a washcloth or using a bag of ice or frozen veggies. Apply it to the affected area on the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes once an hour.
Antiseptic Mouthrinses
You can try three types of rinses to find relief.
For a salt-water rinse, stir a few teaspoons of salt into warm (but not hot) water until it dissolves.
Another option is to mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with water in a one-to-one ratio.
If you're not the DIY type, you can purchase an over-the-counter antiseptic mouthrinse at your local pharmacy, grocery or convenience store.
Swish whatever mixture you choose around your mouth, or rinse with it after meals and spit it into the sink. Note that while this is a great habit in the early stages, it will not cure your abscess.
Helpful tip: While some dental conditions (such as gum problems) are reversible on your own with the help of proper dental care, dental abscesses will not heal on their own or through any methods you try at home. They require treatment and diagnosis from your dental professional and can lead to more serious conditions if left untreated.
Dental Abscess Treatment and Prevention
Please take comfort in the fact that while abscesses are unpleasant to deal with, they’re a regular occurrence at your dental office. Your dental professional is specially trained and equipped to diagnose the underlying cause of your abscess, provide appropriate treatment, and offer tips to prevent it from occurring again in the future.
Treatment for a dental abscess may include:
Prescribed antibiotics (be sure to take these as instructed and only at the recommendation of your dental or medical professional)
Professional removal of affected tissue, draining of the abscess, and cleaning affected areas of your mouth
Root canal treatment if the abscess has entered the soft inside of your tooth.
To prevent future abscesses and avoid worsening the issues that led to your condition, it would be helpful to ensure you are practising a good and healthy dental routine.
Steps to maintain your oral health may include:
Gently brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
Cleaning between your teeth once a day using floss, a flossing device, or an interdental brush
Consuming a balanced diet that limits overly sugary or acidic foods and beverages
Avoiding smoking and tobacco products
Visiting your dental professional regularly.
Dealing with an abscess can be difficult, but you can see this as a challenge to improve your dental routine and avoid further problems in the future. You’ve made a great choice to inform yourself on what dental abscesses are, why you need professional treatment, and what you can do to find temporary relief in the meantime.
It's quite normal to get a lump in your throat from time to time, making it difficult to swallow. However, when this is an ongoing issue, the problem can affect other areas of your life. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can develop for a number of reasons. It's more common in older people and usually occurs when the throat muscles are weak, notes the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders. Several dysphagia treatment options are available, depending on the cause and severity of the condition.
Causes of Dysphagia
Medical issues that can lead to dysphagia include a stroke, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tumors and diabetes. In some cases, dental problems, such as dentures that don't fit properly or severe cavities, can cause swallowing problems. A person may also develop a swallowing problem as a result of treatment for another condition, for example during chemotherapy treatment.
Swallowing Stages
The ideal treatment of dysphagia depends in part on the cause of the swallowing issue and the stage at which it occurs. As indicated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), there are three stages in the swallowing process during which problems can arise:
The first stage is the oral phase, which involves the act of chewing and sucking on food.
The second stage is the pharyngeal phase, which involves the act of starting to push food down the throat, closing the trachea to keep food from getting into the airway.
And the final stage is the esophageal phase, during which food is pushed from the esophagus to the stomach.
Dysphagia Treatment Options
If you are suffering from dysphagia, visit your doctor or dentist to discuss solutions. Treatment options for this disorder often take either a compensatory approach or a rehabilitative approach, as noted by the ASHA. Compensatory treatment approaches don't solve the swallowing problem, but they can teach you to cope with it. Treatments can include turning your head a certain way to help food travel down the esophagus more easily, or changing the consistency of the food you eat to help you swallow it with ease.
Rehabilitative approaches to dysphagia treatment aim to improve your swallowing ability, leading to a lasting improvement. Treatment can include exercises that build muscle strength in the face and esophagus, or learning a swallowing technique that ensures the airway is blocked off, preventing food from travelling down the trachea into the lungs. One technique, known as the supraglottic swallow, involves holding your breath before swallowing, to close off the airway, as instructed by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Medical and Surgical Treatments
Rehabilitation therapy may be all some patients need to successfully treat their swallowing issues. However, in cases where the problem is linked to an ongoing medical issue, such as GERD, or to a problem with the shape and size of the esophagus, medical or surgical treatment may be necessary. Medical treatment can include taking antacids or other medications to control GERD symptoms. If dysphagia is connected to salivary control problems or to thickened saliva, medications may be prescribed to manage saliva.
A surgical procedure called myotomy may be required if the swallowing issue is due to a narrow esophagus or to a tight muscle in the esophagus. During surgery, the muscles of the lower esophageal sphincter are cut, allowing food to travel more easily from the esophagus to the stomach, explains Memorial Hermann.
Dental Care and Dysphagia
Swallowing problems can sometimes be related to dental issues. The oral phase of swallowing depends on the number of teeth you have and how healthy those teeth are, concludes a review published in Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports. Although taking good care of your teeth won't directly relieve dysphagia, good oral care is a crucial part of preventing and minimising swallowing issues. Brushing at least twice a day helps prevent cavities, plaque and tartar build-up.
Often, treatment for dysphagia involves an entire team of medical professionals: a dentist, speech therapist, general practitioner, and a surgeon specialising in ear, nose and throat procedures. Working together, your medical team can help determine the best action plan to help ease any swallowing issues.
You already know your teeth are designed to help you chew and eat, and they are probably one of the first things you notice about a person when you meet. But there’s more to your teeth than you might think. Here are a few fun facts about those pearly whites.
Most of Your Tooth Surface is Hidden
You can only see about one-third of your tooth above the line of your gums. The rest is hidden below your gums and stretches into your jawbone, where it anchors the tooth. That keeps your teeth strong so you can use them to chew everything from fruits and veggies like apples or carrots to tough meats and proteins that are all part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Teeth are Extremely Strong
Enamel, the outer covering around your tooth that looks white, is actually the hardest substance in your body. Dental enamel is made up of phosphate and calcium—the same as your bones—but it also includes proteins that harden it even more. It makes sense that it’s extremely strong, since your second set of teeth (the ones that grow in after your “baby teeth” fall out) are the only teeth you get, and they have to last the rest of your life. There’s also a second hard layer under the enamel called dentin. It’s filled with small tunnels that bring nutrients and send nerve signals to every part of the tooth. Even with all this protection, teeth can still chip or decay over time without proper care.
We Have Four Types of Teeth
Humans eat a diet of both meat and vegetables (omnivores), and because of that, our mouths have evolved to include four different types of teeth:
Incisors
Premolars
Molars
Canine teeth
Some teeth are helpful for chewing or grinding food, others for cutting or mashing up foods, and still others for tearing apart foods that are tough (like meat).
Teeth are Unique like a Fingerprint
The shape and size of your teeth, as well as your “bite” (the way your teeth come together) are unique to you. Those unique features in someone’s mouth can help identify them if other methods of identification—like a fingerprint or a visual identification—can’t be done.
Your Mouth is Filled with Saliva, and Bacteria
Over the course of your life you will produce more than 10,000 gallons of saliva. It’s helps wash away small food particles and neutralize acids, both of which prevent tooth decay and infections. Your mouth also has a lot of bacteria—as many as 300 different types—that feed on sugars. It’s important to brush your teeth and see a dentist regularly to remove these bacteria before they harden into a sticky substance called plaque and lead to tooth decay.
If you have spent any time at all in the dentist’s office, chances are that you have heard time and again about the importance of brushing your teeth. However, some of the most common dental issues that many patients experience could be prevented or resolved through proper, regular tooth brushing techniques.
Your mouth contains a balance of both good and bad bacteria. When harmful oral bacteria are permitted to accumulate and remain in your mouth they contribute to undesirable oral health issues such as bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay. Effective tooth brushing techniques, followed by effective flossing techniques, can greatly reduce harmful oral bacteria at worst and completely eliminate these bacteria at best. The result is a healthier mouth that is less likely to suffer from bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay and other issues.
Healthy Brushing
While it may seem a fairly simple concept to run a toothbrush across your teeth in order to remove leftover food particles and harmful oral bacteria that attempt to linger there, an incorrect understanding of how brushing works best to improve your oral health may lead you to make mistakes that adversely affect your oral health. Following are three tips for healthier brushing:
Brush at least twice a day, for about two minutes each time. It is important to brush your teeth every morning, just after you awake, in order to rid your teeth, gums and mouth of the harmful oral bacteria that can accumulate there during the night. It is also important to brush your teeth at night, before bed, for the same reason. In some cases, especially after meals that cause food to become stuck in between your teeth, you should brush your teeth more than twice a day in order to remove these food particles. Each time you brush, spend around two minutes gently brushing all surfaces of all teeth in order to achieve the best results.
Use the right toothbrush and the right pressure. It may seem logical to use a hard-bristled toothbrush and intense pressure to thoroughly clean your teeth, but this abrasive approach can actually harm your teeth by stripping off the protective tooth enamel that covers them. Instead, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle pressure in circular, massage-like strokes from your gum line down to the end of each tooth. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, or as soon as you notice the bristles beginning to fray.
Use a fluoride toothpaste. You may not know that your saliva actually contains harmful-oral-bacteria-fighting properties and therefore helps maintain healthier teeth and gums. This is just one more reason why it is so important to stay properly hydrated. However, as wonderful and miraculous as saliva is, it cannot do the job on its own. This is where fluoride comes in. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that can fight the bacteria-ridden plaque and sugars that seek to attack our teeth. Using an American Dental Association approved fluoride toothpaste can go a long way in helping to protect and maintain your oral health.
Properly brushing your teeth, and achieving all the benefits available, does require that one understand the balance between removing foreign particles from the teeth and preserving the natural, protective layers on the teeth. Even if you brush and floss properly and regularly, it is important to visit your dentist twice a year for professional examinations and cleanings. Your dentist is trained to use special tools and techniques you don’t possess at home in order to ensure a deeper, more thorough cleaning. She can also help to detect minor issues so that you can address and resolve them before they become major problems.
Morning breath is a frustrating & embarrassing condition for people that are regularly brushing & flossing but nothing seems to stop it. Learn the causes and how to get rid of it.
What causes morning breath?
Morning breath, an unpleasant odor, is caused by the build-up of bacteria in the mouth during the night and can cause anxiety and social embarrassment. When you sleep, your mouth becomes dry, and this allows bacteria to multiply. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor dental hygiene, cavities, certain foods and drinks, smoking, and medical conditions.
Oral malodor (halitosis) is common, and 8-50% of people perceive that they have persistent, recurrent episodes of oral malodor. Oral malodor typically originates directly from the oral cavity secondary to periodontitis (gum disease), tongue debris, poor oral hygiene, deep caries (cavities), inadequately fitted restorations, or endodontic lesions. In a study that investigated salivary flow, dryness of the oral cavity is considered as one of the causes of oral malodor.
Saliva influences morning breath: Why is saliva production lower at night? How mouth breathing can affect morning breath
Saliva is more than just spit! It plays an essential role in your oral health and influences your morning breath. Saliva is the mouth’s natural cleanser and helps to remove food and bacteria from the teeth and gums to keep your mouth healthy. Saliva contains enzymes that help to break down food, assists in washing away food debris and bacteria, and contains minerals that help to remineralize your teeth to prevent cavities.
The absence of saliva causes an increase in Volatile Sulfur Compounds, VSCs, and the detection of VSCs can aid in the identification of their source. Furthermore, sleeping with your mouth open can cause more dryness in addition to what naturally occurs at night and can influence the severity of morning breath.
Other causes that affect morning breath
Poor oral hygiene
The plaque that occurs naturally can accumulate on your teeth, contributing to morning breath. Wearing dentures at night and inadequate tongue cleaning can also contribute to morning breath. Morning breath is caused by stagnation of saliva and putrefaction of entrapped food particles, an accumulation of bacteria on the tongue recognized clinically as coated tongue, and a decrease in liquid intake. A coated tongue is a grayish-white deposit on the tongue and is one of the main causes of bad breath, which is a socially unacceptable condition. Tongue anatomy can also play a role in the accumulation of bacteria. For example, a fissured tongue (grooves on the top of the tongue) provides the ideal environment for bacteria to grow. According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine, a fissured tongue occurs in about 5% of the U.S. population, and men are affected slightly more commonly than women.
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the tissue supporting the teeth. If the gum tissue is compromised with the accumulation of pathogenic bacteria (bacteria that cause disease), it could lead to the unwanted side effect of bad breath. Halitosis is a common complaint in the population of patients affected by periodontitis.
Cavities
Poor oral hygiene and consuming food and sipping drinks high in sugar throughout the day can contribute to the development of cavities.
Smoking
Smoking is a major cause of bad breath because it dries out the mouth and increases the build-up of bacteria. It also stains the teeth and leaves a lingering smell on the breath.
Food consumption
Certain foods, such as garlic, onions, and spicy foods, can cause bad breath due to their strong odors. Other foods, such as coffee and citrus fruits, can also contribute to bad breath. Prevalence of bad breath is very common in the general population, and nearly more than 50% of the general population has bad breath.
ENT
Most halitosis patients seen in an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) practice can be localized to the tongue. Volatile sulfur compounds originate mainly from the oral and nasal cavities. Acute or chronic throat infections, postnasal drip, and tonsilloliths (tonsil stones) can contribute to bad breath. Tonsil stones are stones that arise as a result of calcium being deposited in conjunction with bacteria in the crevices of the tonsils.
When your head is full of mucus, either due to allergies or sickness, the mucus provides a food source for the bacteria in your mouth and throat, and this creates an environment for these bacteria to produce odors.
GI disease processes: Diabetes and GERD
Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause bad breath due to the build-up of bacteria in the mouth or due to other factors associated with these conditions. A fishy-smelling breath is reflective of kidney problems, while fruity-smelling breath can be a sign of diabetes. Regardless of the oral conditions, a study has reported that GERD-related symptoms were associated with halitosis. People with diabetes have high blood sugar levels that increase glucose levels in saliva. This provides food for bacteria in the mouth and leads to the build-up of dental plaque, contributing to bad breath and gum disease.
How to prevent morning breath?
While there’s no complete way to eliminate morning breath, there are a few things you can do to lessen the severity, such as brushing your teeth, utilizing a tongue cleaner, using mouthwash, chewing sugar-free gum, taking probiotics, and avoiding tobacco and sugary foods before bed. Antibacterial mouth rinsing agents act on halitosis-producing bacteria. However, mouthwashes may only provide temporary relief, and if they contain alcohol, it can influence the severity of morning breath.
Reducing plaque buildup on the teeth and tongue will help in reducing your risk of developing cavities and morning breath. Tongue scrapers are shaped according to the anatomy of the tongue and reduce 75% of the VSCs compared to only 45% using a toothbrush. Sugar-free chewing gum could be considered a therapeutic alternative to decrease or neutralize the amount of VSCs present in oral breath. Morning breath can be easily treated once you know the source and the continuity of seeing your dental healthcare professional on a regular basis based on your needs.
When brushing your teeth in front of the mirror, it's common to suddenly spot something you hadn't noticed before. For example, how could a swollen gum form around one tooth? And is there anything you can do about it? There are a few reasons why your gums can swell in one area, including an abscessed tooth, gum disease and improper brushing or flossing. Here are some causes of this common problem and what to do if it happens to you.
1. Hygienic Mishaps
If there is swelling around just one tooth in your mouth, it may be because you didn't brush or floss correctly, leaving behind food debris that cause tooth cavities and inflammation in the neglected area. Over time, such inadequate oral hygiene can also lead to gum disease. Be on the lookout for pale, red or swollen gums, as well as bleeding while brushing, pus coming from the tooth, a loose tooth, or persistent bad breath and taste.
2. Gum Disease
A common trigger of a swollen gum around one tooth, gum disease is a prevalent condition for which you should be on guard each time you brush. In its earliest stages, the condition's symptoms show up as red and swollen gums that, although painless, might still bleed. As the disease progresses, it can cause loose teeth due to gums that have pulled away in certain spots.
3. Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth is another very common cause of local gum swelling and indicates an infection in or around your tooth. This can often come from an untreated cavity that causes germs to spread through and infect your tooth. Keep in mind that an abscess can cause irritation and ultimately cost you the tooth if left untreated. Telltale signs include throbbing pain, red or swollen gums, a swollen jaw or face, a tender or sore tooth, a fever, and even a salty taste in your mouth. Because treatment is required for an abscessed tooth, your dentist may give you antibiotics for the infection, a root canal to remove the infected pulp, or extract the tooth entirely depending on the severity.
How to Prevent Swollen Gums
It's not enough to just brush your teeth twice a day; flossing in between your teeth and using an effective mouthrinse are just as important. In addition, make sure you're brushing, flossing and rinsing with proper tools and the right technique. If you have a large space between two teeth, for instance, an interdental brush can help clean in between them. Of course, you should be going for your dental check-ups twice a year so your dentist can check not only the overall health of your teeth, but also whether your gums have receded or started to swell.
A healthy mouth and beautiful smile depend on how much care you put into both your teeth and gums. Start with oral care at home and follow it up with semiannual dental appointments to make sure your mouth health is uninterrupted from ear to ear.
