Mouthwash, also called oral rinse, is a liquid product used to rinse your teeth, gums, and mouth. It usually contains an antiseptic to kill harmful bacteria that can live between your teeth and on your tongue.
Some people use mouthwash to fight against bad breath, while others use it to try to prevent tooth decay.
Mouthwash doesn’t replace brushing your teeth or flossing in terms of oral hygiene, and it’s only effective when used correctly. It’s also important to understand that different product formulas contain different ingredients, and not all mouthwashes can strengthen your teeth.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about using mouthwash.
How to use mouthwash
Product directions may vary according to which mouthwash brand you use. Always follow package instructions over what you read in an article.
Here are the basic instructions for most kinds of mouthwash.
1. Brush your teeth first
Start by thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth.
If you’re brushing with fluoride toothpaste, wait a while before using mouthwash. The mouthwash can wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste.
2. How much mouthwash to use
Pour your oral rinse of choice into the cup provided with the product or a plastic measuring cup. Use only as much mouthwash as the product instructs you to use. It’s typically between 3 and 5 teaspoons.
3. Ready, set, rinse
Empty the cup into your mouth and swish it around. Don’t swallow it. Mouthwash isn’t meant for ingesting, and it won’t work if you drink it.
While you’re rinsing, gargle for 30 seconds. You may want to set a watch or try to count to 30 in your head.
4. Spit it out
Spit the mouthwash out into the sink.
When to use mouthwash
Some people use mouthwash as part of their daily teeth-cleaning routine. But you can also use mouthwash in a pinch to banish bad breath.
There’s really no hard and fast guideline for when to use mouthwash for bad breath. But it isn’t going to work to strengthen tooth enamel or fight gum disease unless you use it right after brushing and flossing.
For best results, teeth should be freshly cleaned before using use mouthwash.
Precautions when using mouthwash
Mouthwash usually contains a high volume of alcohol and fluoride. Both of these ingredients shouldn’t be ingested in high amounts, especially by children. For this reason, the American Dental Association doesn’t recommend mouthwash for children under the age of 6.
Adults shouldn’t make it a habit of swallowing mouthwash, either.
If you have open sores or oral lesions in your mouth, you might want to try using mouthwash to kill bacteria and speed healing. But you should speak to a dentist before using an oral rinse in your mouth if you have recurring oral lesions.
Sores in your mouth can be caused by underlying health issues, and dousing those sores with fluoride and antiseptic could be doing more harm than good.
Mouthwash can be used to prevent or stop bad breath, as well as to rinse out plaque and fight gum disease. Mouthwash can’t be used as a substitute for regular brushing and flossing. In order for mouthwash to do your mouth any good, it should be used properly.
If you have recurrent bad breath or suspect that you have gum disease, mouthwash alone can’t cure the underlying causes. Speak to a dentist about any concerns you have about chronic or ongoing oral health conditions.
Edentulism, or tooth loss, can rob you of much more than the ability to chew and properly digest food. It has serious social, psychological and emotional consequences, impacting your quality of life, self-image and self-esteem.
Edentulism results when one or more teeth are missing, or need removing due to injury or disease. With full edentulism, all teeth are missing; with partial edentulism, one or more teeth are missing.
Risks and Causes
Although typically associated with the elderly, edentulism also affects children and adults if they do not practice proper oral hygiene.
Children: Toddlers and children run the risk of two types of traumatic tooth loss: premature loss of baby teeth and loss of permanent teeth due to injury or neglect. Dental caries are a major cause of tooth loss in children and teens.
Adults: Gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) and dental caries are the leading causes of tooth loss among adults. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection affecting the gums and bone supporting the teeth. As the disease destroys gum tissue and bone, teeth loosen and may require extraction. Smoking, heart disease and diabetes also are associated with tooth loss.
Elderly: Plaque accumulation and hardening, gum recession, older fillings and dry mouth put the elderly at greater risk for losing their natural teeth.
The incidence of edentulism among certain populations reflects differences in healthy behaviors and attitudes toward oral health and dental care, as well as access to and use of dental services and treatments.
Research indicates that tooth loss caused by gum disease is commonly associated with risk indicators that include age, gender (more common with males), smoking, inadequate personal oral hygiene and professional dental care, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Race/ethnicity and socioeconomics also play a role in tooth loss. For example, studies suggest that non-Hispanic black adults keep fewer teeth than non-Hispanic white and Mexican-American adults. Also, a higher percentage of people at every age living below the poverty level is edentulous compared to those living above the poverty level.
Other causes of edentulism include the following:
Poor oral hygiene habits: Not brushing and flossing daily can cause the development and progression of tooth decay and gum disease.
Poor diet: Foods and beverages high in sugar, carbohydrates and acid may cause irreversible tooth and gum damage.
Bad habits: Smoking, chewing tobacco and/or drug use can damage teeth.
Lack of education: A lack of education about the causes and consequences of tooth loss prevents people from taking the proper preventative lifestyle and oral health care measures, or from getting periodic dental maintenance or necessary restorative treatment.
Fear and embarrassment: Many people suffer from dental phobia, or anxiety/fear of going to the dentist, and do not seek dental treatment, even if they know they have a problem or are in pain. Others are embarrassed or ashamed to seek dental treatment because they feel they will be blamed or judged negatively for the condition of their teeth. Ignoring tooth decay or other serious dental problems can prolong and aggravate the condition.
Finances: Some people have to postpone or forgo dental visits and treatments, including regular check-ups and cleanings, due to high dental care costs and/or lack of insurance coverage. Unfortunately, prolonging or eliminating dental care increases the chances of developing serious problems and, subsequently, greater expense for repairs.
Trauma: Babies and young children are most susceptible to losing teeth prematurely due to trauma, because their tooth roots and gums are still developing. If parents do not take the proper — and often immediate — steps to deal with dental trauma, their children’s oral health can be permanently affected. Adults, particularly those who participate in sports or suffer accidents affecting the face, also are at risk for tooth loss.
Systemic conditions: Systemic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression are all associated with forms of periodontitis that often result in tooth loss.
Medical treatments: Certain treatments, such as chemotherapy, head radiation therapy and immunosuppresive medications, weaken the immune system. These treatments may increase the risk of tooth infections and, consequently, the need for tooth extraction.
Consequences of Tooth Loss
Mental anxiety
Changes in facial features, loss of bone and gum tissue, trouble eating and speaking, poor nutrition
Self-consciousness, dissatisfaction with appearance and loss of confidence
Pain, distress and relaxation problems
Social embarrassment and isolation (Edentulous people may feel embarrassed about their appearance and not want to go out and engage in social interaction and activities. In addition, edentulous people often have to face stereotypical perceptions of being poor, uneducated and/or unhygienic.)
Embarrassed and/or ashamed to seek dental treatment
Financial burden for costs of possible treatment options (Complex dental care ― such as dental implants ― is expensive and typically not covered by insurance).
Treatments
Patients and their dentists should develop a treatment plan that emphasizes prevention and early detection of oral diseases in order to keep the remaining teeth ― especially in cases of partial edentulism. Prevention and detection strategies include patient education about edentulism causes, consequences and treatments, and following preventive oral health practices (e.g., daily oral health care), as well as preventative and therapeutic treatment.
However, if tooth loss is unavoidable, there are several options for restoring your teeth and your smile.
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically attached to the jaw to secure a replacement tooth, bridge or denture. Permanent and stable, implant-supported restorations look, feel and function like natural teeth. Dental implants also can be used with a denture for better stabilization. Some implants take two to six months for the bone and implant to bond together (osseointegrate). During this time, a removable temporary tooth replacement can be worn over the implant site. Research also has advanced to where an implant can be placed immediately following tooth extraction in certain cases.
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and adjoining tissues. Partial dentures fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, keep remaining teeth from shifting and are an option if you have some natural teeth remaining. If you have lost most or all of your teeth, complete or full dentures are recommended. “Immediate” dentures are inserted immediately after removal of the natural teeth; “conventional” dentures are placed in the mouth about three to six months after tooth removal.
A Dental bridge is a false tooth that is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in or bridge the space left by a missing tooth. The two crowns holding the dental bridge in place are cemented to your teeth on each side of the space; the bridge is secured into place and is irremovable. Some bridges also may contain two or more false teeth between the crown components, depending on the case.
Finding a Restorative Dentist
Although general dentists are qualified to provide care for edentulous patients, they may choose to consult with or refer patients to qualified specialists. The specialists most qualified to treat edentulous patients are prosthodontists, who concentrate on the replacement of missing teeth and the restoration of natural teeth, and periodontists, who focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and the placement of dental implants. Endodontists, specialists in pulp problems, also may be consulted for possible endodontic treatments to save “hopeless” teeth.
For a successful outcome, make sure you receive treatment from a dentist who is professional, yet also sensitive to your situation and offers options in a non-judgmental, non-pressuring manner. Ideally, your dentist should be willing to work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your clinical, emotional, personal and financial needs. Communicate your feelings and expectations to establish realistic options and, if necessary, compromise. For instance, if money is an issue, your dentist might be able to place an extended wear temporary bridge while you arrange an affordable long-term treatment plan. Or, your dentist might be able to use a laboratory that provides economic, natural-looking prostheses.
The key to finding the right option is to overcome your embarrassment, lack of informed knowledge and shame in order to work with your dental team to establish short- and long-term esthetic, functional and financial goals that will keep your self-esteem and your smile intact.
Have you seen a bit of blood in your sink when you brush your teeth lately? That bleeding can be one of the first warning signs that you’ve got gum disease.
The mild variety is called gingivitis. When you have that, only your gums are infected. If you don’t treat it, the infection can travel below your gum line and into your bone. Then it becomes a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis.
Both gingivitis and periodontitis have been shown to raise your risk of things like diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, pneumonia, and cancer. Early detection is your best bet.
Symptoms
You can find and treat the problem before it gets serious if you know what to look for. Take note if you notice:
Red, swollen gums: That’s one of the first signs your gums need attention. “Gum diseases typically start with inflammation along the gum line,” says Erik Sahl, DDS, assistant professor of periodontics at Loma Linda University. They may also feel tender or painful and bleed easily when you floss or brush.
Bad breath: Your mouth is a nice, warm, and wet home for millions of bacteria. They feed on plaque, so the more of that you have, the bigger the buffet. “Bacteria release toxins that can irritate the gums and teeth and have a foul smell,” Sahl says.
It can also be a symptom of serious gum disease. Your breath usually doesn’t change much if you’ve got gingivitis.
Gums that get smaller: If your teeth look longer than they used to, chances are they’re not growing -- your gums are shrinking.
“[When] bone starts to break down, the gums start separating from the tooth, creating a pocket,” Sahl says. This pulling away is called receding gums.
Sensitive teeth: If a sip of a cold drink makes you wince, your teeth may be telling you something. That’s a symptom of gum disease that often goes hand in hand with shrinking gums. “With receding gums, the sensitive part of the tooth is exposed -- called the dentin -- causing sensitive teeth when exposed to cold water and air,” Sahl says.
Wiggly or shifting teeth: Does your smile look a little different lately? Gum disease can attack the bones that hold your teeth in place, making them loosen or move. Periodontitis is the main cause, and it can even change the way your teeth fit together when you bite. Learn more about the various teeth straightening options for adults.
Treatment
The goal is to control your infection. Your dentist will look at what’s affected to figure out where to start.
Deep cleaning: The first line of treatment for gum disease is a careful, in-depth cleaning.
Unlike a regular cleaning, which is usually only done above the gum line, deep cleaning goes under the gum line. The dentist will also use special instruments, Sahl says.
Your dentist can do something called scaling. That’s scraping off tartar both above and below your gum line. They may also do something called root planing. That’s when the rough surfaces of the roots of your teeth are smoothed out. It helps the gums reattach to your tooth.
Both methods may take more than one visit to the dentist.
Medication: There’s no magic pill or cream that can cure gum disease, Sahl says. Still, your dentist may prescribe medication as part of your treatment.
Options include:
Antiseptic chip or antibiotic microspheres: You insert these tiny gels or particles into pockets in your gum, and they release medication slowly over time to help reduce the size of the pocket and get rid of bacteria.
Antibiotic gel: You spread this on gum pockets after a deep cleaning to help control infection.
Enzyme suppressant: You take this tablet after a deep cleaning to block certain enzymes in your mouth from breaking down gum tissue.
Oral antibiotics: For more serious infections, you can swallow these capsules or tablets.
Surgery: If deep cleaning can’t take care of the whole problem, you may need to go deeper to fix it. Your dentist may recommend:
Gum graft surgery: A surgeon takes tissue from another part of your mouth (like your palate) and covers any exposed tooth roots to prevent bone loss or decay and help sensitive teeth.
Flap surgery: Your gums are lifted up so the surgeon can get at tartar deep underneath your gum line. Then they stitch your gum back in place so it’s tight around the tooth to help prevent more tartar from forming.
Your dentist may also recommend antimicrobial mouthwash You swish this in your mouth as part of your daily brushing routine to help control bacteria. It’s available both by prescription and over-the-counter.
Noticed blood on your toothbrush recently? Don’t ignore it. It may be a result of one of the many underlying diseases that go unnoticed. We are discussing the various causes of bleeding gums in the following sections.
Gingivitis: One of the most common causes of bleeding gums is inflammation of your gum tissue due to excessive accumulation of bacteria and this is called gingivitis in medical terms. The plaque that gets deposited on your teeth harbours bacteria. This causes gum tissue to swell and bleed on the slightest provocation, even brushing. If left untreated, this plaque may harden and become tartar which may lead to periodontal problems in future resulting in bone loss around your teeth and eventually tooth loss. So, brushing and flossing routine should be followed diligently to avoid gingivitis
Medications: Certain medications like anticonvulsants and immunosuppresants may cause bleeding gums. Some blood pressure medications such as blood thinners are also responsible for bleeding gums. So, always remember to mention them to your dentist.
Hormonal changes: Especially in womans , are the culprit for bleeding gums. Menstruation, menopause and pregnancy may cause gums to bleed. In fact, a pregnant female is at a higher risk to develop gingivitis known as pregnancy gingivitis. So, proper maintenance of oral hygiene is of paramount during this stage since, gum diseases may compromise the health of the baby.
Blood disorders: Certain genetic blood disorders such as clotting factor deficiency may lead to bleeding tendency, not only in gums but in your overall body. Vitamin K deficiency has similar effect and so does certain conditions like thrombocytopenia i.e. blood platelet deficiency. Therefore, get your blood tests done, before undergoing any surgical procedure, as prescribed by your dentist. They are meant for your own good.
Smoking: can greatly increase the chances of bleeding of gums. On top of that, poor immune response to bacterial inflammation and reduced oxygenation of gum tissue can aggravate the problem.
Leukemia: The cancer of blood cells and is one of the causes of bleeding gums.
These are the main and common causes. However, if you have changed your tooth brush recently or have started the flossing routine for your gums, they may also cause minor amounts of bleeding.
Incisors are the four teeth located in the front of the upper and lower jaws, situated between the cuspids. We have a total of eight incisors. Generally, incisors have one root, while molars normally have two or three roots.
The six teeth located at the front of the mouth in both the top (or maxillary) jaw and bottom (or mandibular) jaw that include the incisors and cuspids are collectively referred to as the anterior teeth. Teeth located at the back of the jaw are referred to as posterior teeth.
Types of Incisors
There are two types of incisors:
Central incisors are those in the very front and center of the jaw, known as the mesial position. The largest incisors are the maxillary central (top and center) incisors. They are the most prominent teeth visible when a person smiles.
Lateral incisors are the two teeth located to the right and left sides of the central incisors. They are also referred to as being in the distal position, or away from the center of the jaw.
Incisors are the first teeth to appear in babies, and the incisors and molars are usually the first adult teeth to erupt. The first two front teeth, known as central incisors, appear in babies as deciduous teeth—also known as baby teeth—between 8 and 12 months of age. These are replaced sometime between the age of 6 and 7 with permanent teeth.
Lateral incisors are found next to the central incisors. Permanent lateral incisors appear around the age of 7 or 8.
Function of the Incisors
The incisors primary function is to cut and tear into food (the name comes from the Latin word incidere meaning "to cut"), although the aesthetic appearance of these anterior teeth is highly scrutinized as they are visible during smiling, eating and talking.
Dental Issues With Incisors
In a normal bite or occlusion, each maxillary incisor will slightly overlap the corresponding mandibular incisor beneath. However, crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw can impact the bite. This common condition is called malocclusion, which can result in an underbite, overbite, or crossbite.
Crooked incisors and malocclusion can be addressed through orthodontics in severe cases, or with veneers in less severe cases. Orthodontics in the form of dental braces is commonly used to correct the malocclusion.
Caring for Your Incisors
As with all teeth, good dental hygiene is important to maintaining healthy incisors. Because they are located in the front of the jaw and most visible, they also have cosmetic and lifestyle importance.
To protect and maintain your incisors, brush your teeth at least at least twice a day. Brushing after every meal is optimal—but wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush to allow your enamel to reharden (enamel can become soft while eating and worn away by brushing too soon).
Flossing at least once a day will help to control bacteria and plaque that hides between teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. Bacteria in plaque can cause tooth decay and contribute to gum disease. Plaque that remains too long on teeth can become tartar, which must be removed by a dentist.
Routine visits to the dentist for professional cleaning and polishing will keep your incisors in good shape throughout your life.
A study led by a team of periodontists and psychologists at King's College London including dentistry consultants at Guy's Hospital has found that tele-dentistry may be a valid option for first stage triage or follow-up consultations, saving patients attending clinics in person.
With the significant impact of COVID-19 on dentistry, including the substantial rise in the use of video consultations, the team set out to investigate dentists' and patients' attitudes towards dental video consultations (tele-dentistry) and to identify potential ways to improve the experience.
Through a survey of 249 participants over a period of six months from 1 July to 14 December 2020, participants' attitudes were assessed using a series of questionnaires. The results showed that the majority of patients strongly agreed and were satisfied with the use of tele-dentistry, and dentists and dental students alike felt more confident and competent after having carried out a video consultation.
The use of tele-dentistry has many advantages for patients. Lead author of the study, Professor Luigi Nibali of King's College London explains that "as people tend to be working from home, and traveling into cities less, online appointments are a solution to a busy work schedule, and to help maintain social distancing in hospitals. Patients are also able to access healthcare earlier, receive specialist care, minimize time off work and reduce travel over long distances to receive consultations. This of course can only be applied to certain cases"
Clinicians and dentists can also significantly benefit from the move to tele-dentistry.
Co-author Dr. Payvand Menhadji added that "for clinicians, tele-dentistry has the potential to triage referrals and reduce long waiting lists. It has proven to be more cost-effective than real-time in person clinical consultations in dentistry. By giving patients reassurance, oral hygiene instructions and a follow-up video consultation to review the issue, it is possible to reduce the number of appointments requiring face-to-face contact."
The team conclude that tele-dentistry can be a suitable alternative to increase access to healthcare services to patients and save resources during the pandemic and beyond. Healthcare providers should consider adapting patient pathways and utilizing tele-dentistry medicine as an alternative method of consultation.
The paper Patients' and dentists perceptions of Tele-Dentistry at the time of COVID-19, A questionnaire based study was published in the Journal of Dentistry.
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a fine, white powder with almost innumerable household uses. Known mainly as a leavening agent, baking soda can do a lot more than make bread rise.
One of its most popular uses is as a teeth cleaner and whitener. But is it as safe and effective as regular toothpaste?
Here’s a look at the benefits and limitations of using baking soda on your teeth, and how to use it safely to remove plaque and oral bacteria.
Does baking soda work as a toothpaste?
Yes, it does work. While baking soda can’t protect your teeth from cavities as effectively as a fluoride toothpaste can, it’s still considered a good cleaning agent for your teeth.
Toothpastes containing baking soda have been shownTrusted Source to have antibacterial properties, which can help protect your teeth from decay.
What are the pros and cons?
Here’s what we know about the benefits and drawbacks of using baking soda as part of your dental hygiene regimen.
Advantages
Reduces plaque and gingivitis
BiofilmsTrusted Source are colonies of bacteria that attach to the surface of your teeth and eventually cause problems like gingivitis and cavities. Plaque is one example of a dental biofilm.
When you brush, grains of baking soda disruptTrusted Source that biofilm, reducing the bacteria count and helping to prevent damage to your teeth and gums.
May reduce bacteria
Some harmful bacteria need more acidic conditions to thrive in your mouth.
A 2017 studyTrusted Source showed that when you rinse your mouth with a baking soda and water solution, the pH in your mouth increases, making it less acidic. As a result, using baking soda as a toothpaste may make it harder for cavity-causing bacteria to multiply in your mouth.
Whitens teeth
Baking soda has natural whitening properties and has been shown to be effective at removing stains on your teeth and whitening your smile. That’s why it’s a popular ingredient in many commercial toothpastes.
Numerous studies have shown that baking soda is a mild abrasive that has the ability to remove stains from the outside of your teeth.
Is a fluoride-free option
Too much fluoride can be toxic, especially to children under 6 years old. However, it’s important to note that fluoride toxicity is rare, and the risks are only a concern when a very large amount of fluoride is consumed.
Fluoride toxicityTrusted Source can cause pain, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney, and heart problems. For that reason, many people prefer a toothpaste, like baking soda, that’s free of fluoride and the risks of toxicity.
Is inexpensive
At roughly 52 cents an ounce, baking soda is affordable and readily available in nearly every drugstore, grocery store, and big-box retailer.
Disadvantages
Unappealing taste and texture
For many users, the biggest downside of brushing with straight baking soda or a baking soda paste is that it doesn’t taste very good. Baking soda’s texture may also make you feel as though you have sand in your mouth — no one’s favorite sensation.
If you want the benefits of baking soda but with a better texture, you could try one of the many commercial toothpastes that list baking soda as an ingredient.
If the texture of natural baking soda doesn’t bother you but the salty taste does, you could add 1 or 2 drops of peppermint oil to the baking soda paste to enhance the taste.
Less dramatic whitening
Baking soda is a mild abrasive. While the American Dental Association (ADA) considers baking soda safe for your enamel and dentin, some researchersTrusted Source have given it a low rating as a teeth whitener because it may not remove stains as effectively as some other products.
If baking soda doesn’t work well for you as a teeth whitener, you may want to consider products that contain hydrogen peroxide or microbead abrasives.
Lack of fluoride
Toothpastes approved by the ADA contain fluoride to prevent dental cavities.
Although fluoride is a natural element abundant in water and air and present in our bones and teeth, additional fluoride in toothpaste provides an extra shield against tooth decay.
Using baking soda as your only toothpaste doesn’t give you the topical fluoride that’s present in many commercial toothpastes. As a result, using baking soda alone may not give you the cavity protection you need.
Baking soda is an inexpensive, readily available teeth cleanser. As a mild abrasive, it can lighten some tooth stains, and it can help scrub away dental plaque. However, because it doesn’t contain fluoride, it’s not as effective at preventing cavities as your typical fluoride toothpaste.
Although some people find the salty taste and sandy texture of baking soda unappealing, its availability, pH balance, and mildly abrasive properties make it a good choice for people who want to avoid using a toothpaste that contains fluoride or use it with a toothpaste that has fluoride.
Bad breath can be embarrassing. We’ve all had days when we order lunch without considering the effect it might have on that 1 p.m. meeting or notice a strange taste after waking up from a long nap. But what if the odor never goes away?
“Aside from being a result of a stinky lunch or poor oral hygiene, bad breath can be a symptom of a larger or unrelated condition,” says Dr. Mohsin Wazir, oral and maxillofacial surgery resident. “It also has a medical name: halitosis.
”The breath/body connection
In its most common form, bad breath happens when you eat foods with a strong odor.
Digestion and the breakdown of food start in the mouth, so particles are left behind until the food has passed through your whole body. For this reason, no amount of mouthwash or mints can actually remove the odor. Instead, those will just mask it temporarily.
“The connection between food we eat, our digestive system and how our breath smells is helpful when we try to understand other medical causes for halitosis,” says Dr. Wazir.
Cavities, poor fillings, crowns – oh my!
Having dental issues that require attention, or simply the arrangement or condition of your teeth, can allow food particles to become impacted in spaces which are hard to reach with a toothbrush. As we all know, food left in a warm place for a long period of time can begin to smell bad. The same thing happens with food particles that become lodged in cavities for several days.
Unfortunately, normal toothbrushing can’t remove food from these crevices. A visit to the dentist may be mandatory for treating this type of halitosis.
Medical causes for bad breath
When it comes to bad breath not caused by food, there are a few suspects.
Gum disease is an infection inside the mouth caused by bad oral hygiene, smoking or hormonal imbalances, among other things.
“There are two types of gum disease,” notes Dr. Wazir. “The first is gingivitis, which lives in the gum-line. The second is periodontitis, which is an advanced form of gum disease that spreads to the bone which houses your teeth, called the alveolar bone.”
Both types can lead to tooth decay and loss, as well as the decay of your alveolar bone.
If you notice bleeding or inflammation in your gums and persistent pain, you should make a note to speak to your dentist. But if you notice unexplained bad breath, tooth decay or movement in the teeth, you should seek help from a dentist right away to prevent permanent damage.
Ketoacidosis occurs when a person with diabetes experiences dangerously low insulin levels and their body is forced to use fat stores for energy. As that fat is broken down, ketones—a potentially-poisonous chemical with a distinctive odor—are produced, which may lead to bad breath.
“If you are managing diabetes and experience unexplained bad breath along with dizziness, fatigue, abdominal pain or confusion, you could be suffering from ketoacidosis and should see a doctor immediately,” explains Dr. Wazir.
Most serious causes of unexplained bad breath are paired with more serious symptoms, making the conditions hard to overlook.
However, it’s important to maintain good overall gum health to keep teeth and bones strong and healthy. Those close to you will thank you.
The dentist’s office is the best place to start your journey to better breath. After establishing good oral hygiene and routine exams, additional treatment may be needed to address issues such as tooth decay, gum disease or infection
Daily flossing is an important part of a good oral health care regimen, and while most dental professionals recommend flossing at least once a day, you may wonder if it’s beneficial to floss more frequently. It’s a good idea to brush your teeth after meals, but should you also floss more than once per day, or is it detrimental to do it too often? Here’s what you need to know about flossing and how many times a day is best for your teeth.
Once a Day is Optimal
The American Dental Association agrees that if you remember to floss once a day, you will keep your teeth and gums healthy. It takes bacteria colonies in the mouth about 24 hours to fully form, so as long as you dislodge any food particles stuck in between your teeth once a day, you will keep tooth decay in check. While it’s not crucial to floss at a particular time of day, flossing before bedtime will get your mouth extra clean before you sleep and prevent bacteria from having a chance to feed on leftover food particles overnight.
Constant Over-Flossing Can Cause Damage
It is possible to have too much of a good thing, and flossing several times per day is not only not necessary, but it can also cause damage to your gums. Constant flossing can irritate the soft tissue and cause inflammation and bleeding. Flossing too vigorously can even wear down your gum line and erode tooth enamel over time. Give your gums a chance to recover, and only floss gently once a day, preferably at the same time each day. If you are too tired to floss before bedtime and are prone to skipping it as a result, it’s better to floss whenever you have time than not to floss at all.
Floss After Certain Meals
One exception to the flossing once per day rule is if you eat a particularly sticky, hard, or stringy food that gets caught in between your teeth. Foods like popcorn, sticky candy, apple skins, leafy greens, or stringy meats like spare ribs can all get caught between your teeth. This can both look unsightly and feel uncomfortable. You’ll be doing your teeth and gums a good service if you keep some dental floss picks handy for whenever you consume foods like these. The benefits of removing large pieces of food from between your teeth far outweigh the chances of any ill effects from including an additional flossing session.
Teeth whitening strips contain peroxide or bleach. Thus, they work to whiten your teeth the same way bleach works to whiten your clothes or your hair. The peroxide bleaches color from your teeth in order to restore their natural, white color.
Most whitening strips are made out of polyethylene, which is a thin, elastic type of plastic. The plastic is coated with peroxide, and certain types of strips contain more than others. You apply the strips to your teeth according to the package directions so that the peroxide comes into contact with your enamel. This allows the peroxide to remove stains and discoloration from the surface of your teeth. Some strips need to be removed after a certain period of time, while others do not.
Benefits of whitening strips
The primary benefit of using teeth whitening strips, instead of other teeth whitening treatments, is that they are less expensive. Most at-home whitening tools are more affordable than going to the dentist to get your teeth whitened. Strips tend to be inexpensive because they are made out of materials that don't cost very much; plastic and peroxide are both relatively cheap materials to manufacture.
In addition to the low cost, whitening strips are easy to use. Most kits come with 2 sets of strips. One set is for your upper teeth and the other set is for your lower teeth. The kit also comes with instructions on how long to leave the strips on your teeth. Usually you have to put them on twice a day for an average of 2 weeks.
Finally, whitening strips deliver quick results. Your teeth should begin to look whiter within a few days of using the strips and the results should last at least 4 months.
Should I use whitening strips before or after brushing?
Always brush your teeth before you use whitening strips, otherwise plaque and bacteria will be trapped between the strip and your teeth. This makes it more likely that you will experience tooth decay or other dental problems. In addition, if there’s plaque or bacteria on the teeth, it’s more difficult for whitening strips to do their job and in some cases may make the whitening agents completely ineffective.
However, you should not brush your teeth immediately before you apply whitening strips as they can sometimes irritate your gums. Instead, wait at least half an hour after brushing your teeth to apply whitening strips.
If you see spots or excess gel on your teeth after removing the whitening strips, you can brush immediately after removing the strips. Doing so won't harm your teeth. Of course, you should continue brushing twice a day while routinely using whitening strips so that your teeth will remain healthy and won't become discolored again.
Dangers of whitening strips
The majority of whitening strips are safe to use; however, if you use whitening strips that contain chlorine dioxide, you could destroy the enamel on your teeth. Chlorine dioxide is the same acid that is used to disinfect swimming pools. It whitens teeth by eating away at the surface of the enamel. Essentially, you are wearing down the enamel on your teeth and increasing your risk for tooth decay if you use this type of whitening strip.
Even if your whitening strips don't contain chlorine dioxide, it's important to follow the directions on the package. Don't get impatient and apply more whitening strips or use them for a longer period of time than is recommended. Doing so could be harmful to tooth enamel. Products that dissolve enamel can also harm gum tissue, so if your gums are irritated after using a product for a few days, you may want to discontinue use and see your dentist.
Types of whitening strips
There are 2 types of whitening strips. The most common requires you to put the strip on your teeth for about half an hour and then remove it. You use these strips twice a day for 14 days. There are also strips that automatically dissolve when they come in contact with saliva. These strips don't have to be removed.
