4 Tips for Improving Oral Health

Image Source:
Likeable Dentist

Most Americans are aware that brushing and flossing on a routine basis each day is an optimal way of improving oral health. However, there are many other steps a person can take to enhance the care he or she provides for their teeth, gums and mouth. Those who wish to take a better approach towards oral health care may benefit from exploring the following suggestions:

Tip #1 Choose the Right Brush

Although many individuals may learn the best way to brush and that regular tooth brushing is imperative to optimal oral health, few ascertain which product works best for them. While there are a variety of high-powered dental gadgets on the market, it is important for all individuals to also consider the basics when assessing what brush works the best. For example, individuals may want to invest in a brush that offers medium or soft bristles—depending on a person’s dental sensitivity. Hard bristles, on the other hand, can prove too rough and damage teeth.

Tip #2 Find a Good Mouthwash

Mouthwash is one of the best ways to clean and treat hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and is a great option for killing germs that can harm the oral cavity. However, consumers may want to think twice before choosing a mouthwash that contains alcohol. Alcohol-based mouthwashes are known to dry out the mouth, which can prove somewhat harmful to oral health, as saliva is an important component for healing and sustained dental care.

Tip #3 Do Not Opt Out of Regular Dental Visits

Many individuals who believe they practice an appropriate amount of dental hygiene often feel that they should only visit a dentist when pain or oral emergency occurs. However, it is essential that individuals have their teeth professionally cleaned and inspected every six months to maintain a high level oral health. Taking this precaution can keep teeth in good shape and help identify oral health problems before they turn into dental emergencies.

Tip #4. Eat A Dental-Friendly Diet

Most people understand that acidic sodas and sugary drinks can lead to the decay of teeth; however, few are aware of what foods can help strengthen one’s oral health. For instance, nuts, meats and dairy products can help fortify the enamel, helping one protect against dental impairment. In addition, dental patients may want to consider adding more essential vitamins to their daily dietary intake, especially those found in the vitamin B-complex family, as these nutrients can help protect against tooth decay and oral disease.

Protecting your Teeth: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid

Image Source:
Likeable Dentist

Brushing, flossing and keeping regular dental appointments are great ways to maintain your oral health. However, there is one more thing that you should monitor in order to keep your teeth healthy: your diet.

It is a widely-held belief that soda will eat holes in your teeth. Soda is harmful for your teeth because of its acidity and the amount of sugar it contains. The acid wears away at dental enamel that protects the nerve, dentin and pulp within each tooth. Sugars also provide food for acid-producing bacteria. The more often you drink soda, the more food you are providing to bacteria.

In addition to soda, there are plenty of other foods and beverages that are just as harmful for your teeth. The top five worst foods for your teeth include:

 1.  Dried Fruit - Dried fruit is preferable to candy as a snack, but it still contains high amounts of sugar. Dried fruit also sticks easily between the teeth. If you do eat dried fruit as a snack, have a toothpick handy or brush your teeth soon afterward.

2.  Sugary Drinks - Soda is known as a destroyer of teeth, but other sugar-containing beverages are just as culpable. Sports drinks and even juices can contain comparable amounts of sugar and acid. If you must drink a sugary drink, drink it quickly. Taking sips gradually exposes your teeth continually to layers of acid.

3.  Hard Candy - Hard candies stick to teeth and must be held in the mouth for a long time. This lengthy consumption time guarantees food for bacteria for the entire time that you’re eating — and for a long time afterward.

4.  Alcohol - Saliva is one of your body’s best defenses against acid-producing bacteria. Alcohol decreases saliva production and is corrosive to the teeth, gums and skin of the mouth.

5.  Starchy Foods - Foods like bread and potato chips are starches. Bacteria in the mouth are skilled at breaking down starches into sugars. Starchy foods frequently get caught in the teeth, feeding bacteria long after the meal is over.

The best foods for your mouth include items that protect tooth enamel and or have a high water content. Cheeses, meats, nuts and milk fall into the first category. These foods replace calcium and phosphorus that is lost through bacterial demineralization. Demineralization can weaken teeth and leave them prone to cavities.

Foods that are high in water include firm and crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears and celery. The water content dilutes the sugars that these foods contain, helping to promote the flow of saliva.

Acidic or harmful foods should be eaten as part of a larger meal. Be sure to drink plenty of fluoridated water, milk or unsweetened tea along with these foods and snacks. These beverages will wash food particles out of your mouth and serve as a buffering agent against acids.

Tips for Diagnosing and Treating Tooth Pain

Image Source:
Likeable Dentist

Toothaches can be extraordinarily painful. Sometimes the pain is all you can think about. There are many causes of tooth pain, the most obvious of which is a problem with the tooth or jaw. The dental causes of tooth pain fall into three categories:

Damage: Trauma, including chips and breakage, can cause damage to teeth. This breakage can cause tooth pain.

Decay: Tooth decay has several degrees of severity. Cavities are holes that penetrate the enamel and the underlying dentin and cause pain. Abscesses are more severe. When an abscess occurs, the dental nerves and pulp become infected.

Disease: Redness and swelling of the gums indicate gum disease or gingivitis. Gum disease can cause gum and tooth pain. Other diseases, including oral cancer, may also contribute to tooth pain.

If you have tooth pain that persists for longer than one or two days, make a dentist appointment immediately. Unless it is an emergency, says dentist Warren Melamed, it is likely that you will have to wait a few days for your appointment.

If you have a toothache and cannot see a dentist right away, here are some things you can do to relieve pain while you wait:

• Avoid foods and beverages that are very cold or very hot. The decay or damage may have exposed the dentin layer of the tooth. Extreme temperatures may cause additional pain.
• Use over-the-counter pain relief medicine that is designed to reduce inflammation. Never put pain relief medication directly on the tooth or gum tissue as this application could damage these areas.
• Gently floss between the painful teeth. Removing the food particles and plaque may help to reduce the pain from the toothache.
• Use clove oil, or eugenol, for pain relief. Clove oil has both antiseptic and anesthetic properties. Soak a small piece of cotton in the oil anduse a pair of tweezers to hold the cotton on the tooth for 10 seconds. Make sure that you do not swallow any of the oil.
• Rinse with warm salt water.Salt water works as an antiseptic, removing bacteria from the infected or vulnerable area. Rinsing may provide additional pain relief.

There are some causes of tooth pain that are not directly related to your dental health. If none of the three general categories of pain are causing the problem, consider the following conditions:

• Sinus Infection: Sinuses that are infected can become swollen, putting pressure on certain teeth.
• Cluster Headache: Cluster headaches cause pressure that may contribute to tooth pain. Their exact cause remains unknown.
• Heart Attack: Pain from a heart attack may radiate into the lower jaw.
• Diabetes: Uncontrolled blood sugar can increase your risk of tooth decay. Frequent cavities may be an indication of a more serious problem.
• Viral Infections: Viral infections such as shingles can cause tooth pain.
• Nerve Diseases: Trigeminal neuralgia is an example of a nerve disease that is associated with sharp pain on one side of the face. 

Toothaches are preventable in most cases, especially when the pain is caused by decay. Follow good oral hygiene practices, making sure to brush and floss twice a day. Sealants and fluoride applications can also defend your teeth from bacteria. Consult with your dentist for more information on how to protect your teeth.

Dental Health for Pregnant Women

Image Source: Mouth Healthy

Many things go through a woman’s mind when she finds out that she is pregnant. When will she have her first ultrasound? What will she name the baby? Is it a boy or a girl?

Her dental health may well be one of the last things on her mind. However, a mother’s oral health can affect the health of her baby.

Mothers with gum disease have a higher instance of preterm birth. Preterm birth can cause serious problems for the infant, including low birth weight. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may also render a mother more susceptible to teeth and gum problems.

Preventing Pregnancy Gingivitis

In 2009, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry announced new oral health guidelines for pregnant women. These guidelines are designed to help pregnant women maintain healthy teeth and gums during their pregnancy and throughout the early stages of motherhood. These guidelines include:

1. Oral Hygiene: Correct brushing and flossing practices can help remove bacterial plaque, which is connected to preterm birth.
2. Fluoride: Pregnant women should continue to use fluoridated toothpaste. They should also use an over-the-counter alcohol-free fluoride rinse to reduce the amount of plaque in their mouths.
3. Treatment of Existing Tooth Decay: Existing tooth decay should be treated during pregnancy. Restoring decayed teeth will improve oral health by removing bacteria produced by the decay process.
4. Prevention of Transmission of Bacteria: Expectant mothers are discouraged from sharing utensils or food with others. Avoid sharing these items in order to prevent the transmission of bacteria that cause tooth decay.
5. Use of Xylitol Gum: When chewed four times a day, gum sweetened with xylitol has been shown to decrease the rate of tooth decay in children.

Pregnancy gingivitis develops in almost half of all pregnant women. It typically ends shortly after the birth, but it should be monitored throughout the pregnancy to ensure that it doesn’t progress into periodontitis. A more serious form of gum disease, periodontitis is irreversible. Pregnant mothers with periodontal disease are seven times more likely to go into preterm labor.

The Dangers of Preterm Birth

It may be hard for a pregnant mom to internalize the true danger that periodontitis poses for an unborn baby. The danger lies in prostaglandin, a chemical found in oral bacteria. High levels of prostaglandin have been found in the mouths of women with periodontitis. Prostaglandin may work to induce labor in pregnant women, causing preterm birth.

Babies born too early often have a low birth weight, which can cause significant health problems. Babies born prematurely have an increased risk of developing lung conditions, heart conditions and learning disorders. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, consult your dentist about the state of your oral health.

FAQs about Bad Breath

What should I do if I have bad breath?

Bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Many of us may not realize that we have bad breath, but everyone has it from time to time, especially in the morning.

There are various reasons one may have bad breath, but in healthy people, the major reason is due to microbial deposits on the tongue, especially the back of the tongue. Some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue reduced bad breath by as much as 70 percent.

What may cause bad breath?

• Morning time – Saliva flow almost stops during sleep and its reduced cleansing action allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath.
• Certain foods – Garlic, onions, etc. Foods containing odor-causing compounds enter the blood stream; they are transferred to the lungs, where they are exhaled.
• Poor oral hygiene habits – Food particles remaining in the mouth promote bacterial growth.
• Periodontal (gum) disease – Colonies of bacteria and food debris residing under inflamed gums.
• Dental cavities and improperly fitted dental appliances – May also contribute to bad breath.
• Dry mouth (Xerostomia) – May be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous mouth breathing.
• Tobacco products – Dry the mouth, causing bad breath.
• Dieting – Certain chemicals called ketones are released in the breath as the body burns fat.
• Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals – Drinking water and chewing food increases saliva flow and washes bacteria away.
• Certain medical conditions and illnesses – Diabetes, liver and kidney problems, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia are several conditions that may contribute to bad breath.

Keeping a record of what you eat may help identify the cause of bad breath. Also, review your current medications, recent surgeries, or illnesses with you dentist.

What can I do to prevent bad breath?

• Practice good oral hygiene – Brush at least twice a day with an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush. Floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gumline. Brush or use a tongue scraper to clean the tongue and reach the back areas. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. If you wear dentures or removable bridges, clean them thoroughly and place them back in your mouth in the morning.
• See your dentist regularly – Get a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year. If you have or have had periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend more frequent visits.
• Stop smoking/chewing tobacco – Ask your dentist what they recommend to help break the habit.
• Drink water frequently – Water will help keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria.
• Use mouthwash/rinses – Some over-the-counter products only provide a temporary solution to mask unpleasant mouth odor. Ask your dentist about antiseptic rinses that not only alleviate bad breath, but also kill the germs that cause the problem.

In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. If it is determined that your mouth is healthy, but bad breath is persistent, your dentist may refer you to your physician to determine the cause of the odor and an appropriate treatment plan.