As a Periodontist, I have a daily view of the destruction possible by oral bacteria. Rotten, damaged teeth and diseased gum tissues are the result of bacteria buildup in the mouth. However, you can take simple measures to minimize oral bacteria and its overgrowth in the mouth. One way is limiting the frequency of eating and drinking.

Every time you eat or drink something (other than plain water), an acid attack begins in your mouth. This is the initial part of the digestive process. However, what’s in your mouth feed bacteria, helping them to reproduce. While sugary and starchy foods and drinks provide bacteria with an ideal substance for growth, all foods contribute.

Limit your eating to mealtime and avoid snacking. If you must snack, select carrots, celery and foods that actually ‘scrape’ teeth as you chew. Cheeses are other good choices, as they help to neutralize oral acidity.

Flossing and tongue scraping are highly beneficial measures that require minimal time. If you have difficulty flossing, try an electronic version. A tongue scraper is an inexpensive tool but brushing your tongue after tooth brushing (especially towards the back of the tongue) can dislodge a tremendous amount of bacteria embedded in the tongue.

Finally, be sure to keep your 6-month cleaning appointments. During these, destructive plaque buildup is removed and signs of gum disease can be noted. Early signs of gum disease are gums that bleed when brushing, sore and swollen spots on gum tissue, frequent bad breath, and gums that are red rather than a healthy pink.

If you’re past due on dental check-ups or having symptoms of gum disease, contact us at (828) 274-9440 for an appointment. Tending to oral bacteria early can help you avoid costly treatment in the future.

When someone has bad breath, it can hit you like a boxing glove. Unfortunately, it can also make a lasting impression, and not a good one! In addition to cavities and gum disease, bad breath, also known as halitosis, is among the top three reasons people go to the dentist.

While we can all recall an encounter with someone’s rank breath odor, the thoughts of having it ourselves is terrifying, although about 20% of the population reportedly do to some degree. When halitosis is our own, we don’t smell it although it is typically suspected by having a bad taste in our mouth or feeling our mouth is sticky and dry.

In most cases, bad breath is caused by bacteria accumulated in the gums and embedded in the back of the tongue. Certain conditions, including disorders in the nasal cavity, sinuses, throat, lungs, stomach or esophagus can also cause halitosis.

Ridding yourself of common bad breath is easy. Be committed to a twice-daily oral hygiene regimen, use a tongue scraper (particularly on the back of the tongue), floss daily and have regular dental check-ups to detect bacteria in the gums. If your mouth is dry, drink lots of water and use an oral rinse specifically formulated to replace moisture in the mouth.

Just as you avoid body odor with daily showers, you can avoid the ‘label’ of having bad breath by being proactive with your oral hygiene. If you have been irregular with dental cleanings, your mouth may be overly burdened with oral bacteria. Call (828) 274-9440 to arrange an examination so we can determine your oral status and recommend ways to improve your smile’s health for fresher breath!

If you take antihistamines, aspirin, asthma medications and syrups, you may be taking one that makes you more vulnerable to tooth loss. It is estimated that about 40% of Americans take at least one type of medicine that can cause damage to their teeth.

These medications include prescription drugs and over-the-counter preparations and can contribute to gum tissue problems such as inflammation, bleeding or ulcers. Additionally, diseased gum tissue can lead to other dental problems, including tooth loss.

Some medications with damaging side effects to teeth include:
• Antihistamines – can cause dry mouth, and an increased risk of gum problems.
• Antihypertensives – can lead to an increased risk of gum problems.
• Aspirin – chewing aspirin can directly damage the tooth enamel, as aspirin is acidic. Always take aspirin strictly as directed.
• Asthma medications – some asthma drugs are highly acidic and can dissolve tooth enamel if used regularly over a long period of time.
• Chemotherapy drugs – can cause a dry mouth and lead to an increased risk of gum problems.
• Immunosuppressive drugs – can lead to an increased risk of gum problems.
• Oral contraceptives – can lead to an increased risk of gum problems.
• Syrups – medicated syrups that contain sugar can increase the risk of tooth decay if teeth are not brushed after these syrups are taken.

To check the level of tooth loss on a long list of prescription medications, use the link below. This shows drugs such as Stelara with only 1 case of tooth loss but Prednisone having 436 cases and Zometa a whopping 1,571.

http://www.ehealthme.com/symptom/tooth+loss

At each appointment, it is important that you keep us updated on medications you take. We want to help you avoid tooth loss. Knowing your medical and dental history and list of medications (including herbal supplements) can help us be more proactive on your behalf.

Contrary to what many believe, bad breath is not caused by certain foods we eat. Food odor is the result of sulfur compounds, which are released during the digestive process. These sulfur compounds emerge from the back of the tongue and throat, giving off an unpleasant odor.

Factors other than food can be causing frequent bad breath, however, such as gum disease, dry mouth, or certain medical conditions. While some products are promoted to conquer bad breath, these can merely mask the problem or even cause more harm. Home remedies are also risky with some that actually make the problem worse. These include:

• Breath mints – Long-lasting sugar candies create acid attacks in the mouth, increasing bacteria production.
• Alcoholic beverages – Saliva helps to remove oral bacteria. Alcohol is drying to oral tissues and reduces the amount of saliva in your mouth.
• Mouth Wash – Certain oral rinses contain alcohol, which decreases saliva. Having less saliva ups the production of oral bacteria.

The best way to eliminate bad breath is having teeth and gums that are in a healthy state. If you do not have twice-a-year dental check-ups and cleanings, call us for an examination. Once your mouth is clean, your breath will show it! Call (828) 274-9440.