Dealing with Bad Breath

Dealing with Bad Breath

Though not considered life threatening, bad breath, or halitosis, can certainly have a dramatic impact on your life. Some people develop occasional bad breath when they eat foods like onions and garlic, or because of a head cold. In these cases, the problem usually resolves itself in a short time period. Unfortunately, bad breath can also be a chronic condition.

Usually, bad breath is caused by the food trapped in our mouths, which forms the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. These anaerobic bacteria give off waste products known as volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), the actual cause of the offending odors. The tongue is the most common location for the bacteria, although they can reside anywhere in the mouth.

Certain conditions, as well as lifestyle choices, can increase the odds of developing bad breath. Excessive smoking and drinking can produce halitosis. Allergies, dry mouth, diabetes, and dentures can also lead to bad breath issues. Another big contributor to halitosis is poor oral health, which includes problems such as gum disease, abscessed teeth, and decay.

Treating chronic halitosis involves addressing the root problem, not covering it up with mouthwash or mints. In fact, these solutions can actually exacerbate the problem by drying out your mouth. Follow these tips to help control bad breath:

  • Avoid odor causing foods
  • Brush and floss regularly to eliminate plaque
  • Chew sugarless gum, which increases saliva
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Make sure to brush your tongue
  • Reduce alcohol consumption
  • Schedule regular checkups and cleanings

Schedule a dental cleaning appointment today at our Toronto dentists office.

Diet and Oral Health

Diet and Oral Health

For years, we have heard that sugar is bad for our teeth. As research has grown, scientists now understand which kinds of sugars hurt your teeth and which foods help keep your mouth healthy. A balanced diet can help keep your smile looking and feeling great.

Certain foods produce changes in your mouth that can increase the risk of tooth decay. For instance, bacteria in the mouth transform sugar and starches into bacteria that attack the teeth and weaken the enamel. As well, foods like candy, cakes, pastries, and dried fruits can stick to teeth and create a haven for bacteria.

Making healthy choices can help promote a healthy mouth. Cheeses, protein, meats, nuts, and milk can protect tooth enamel by contributing calcium and phosphorus, which will remineralize teeth. Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots are also good choices because they contain lots of water, which encourages saliva production.

When choosing a beverage, water, milk, and teeth are the best options for your oral health. Try to cut back on soft drinks and other beverages that contain sugar. Products that contain sugar substitutes like Equal or Splenda aren’t digested the same way as true sugar so they don’t cause over production of bacteria. In fact, chewing sugar free gum can actually improve saliva production and help protect your teeth.

Children and teens should work especially hard to eat a balanced diet. Poor eating habits can not only but their teeth at risk, but it can create other problems at well. A good diet influences brain development, learning capabilities, and normal growth patterns.

Schedule a dental cleaning appointment today at our Toronto dentists office.

What is Oral Health?

What is Oral Health?

The basic definition of oral health is the wellbeing of your teeth, gums, mouth, and supporting tissues. As well, the idea of oral health also has to do with having no pain or problems that interfere with your mouth or its functions. Without a toothache or bleeding gums, you may give your oral health little thought. Often, people take their oral health for granted, but it can actually impact your whole body.

Common Oral Health Problems:

Tooth Decay
Generally thought of a kid’s concern, cavities can strike at any age. Once you have tooth decay, it puts you at greater risk of developing more cavities in the future. Brushing at least twice a day, flossing often, and seeing your dentist on a regular basis will help reduce your risk for tooth decay and keep your oral health in top shape.

Gum Disease
Also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease affects three out of four American adults. Because the early symptoms, swollen or bleeding gums, are mild, gum disease can go undetected. Without treatment, it can lead to gum recession, bone degeneration, and tooth loss. Studies have also linked periodontal disease to overall health issues such as heart disease and osteoporosis.

Lost Teeth
Approximately 69 percent of adults in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth. When you lose teeth, the remaining teeth are in jeopardy of coming out if you don’t close the gap in your smile. Not only do missing teeth make you self-conscious about your appearance, but they can also cause oral health problems such as alignment issues and bone loss.

Oral Cancer
With a higher mortality rate than cervical, liver, or ovarian cancer, oral cancer strikes more than 30,000 Americans each year. If caught in the early stages, the survival rate increases significantly. During your routine exams, your dentist will look for signs of suspicious tissue or other indications of trouble.

Our dental office is located in Toronto

Is Nail Biting a Dental Problem?

Is Nail Biting a Dental Problem?

Also called onychophagia, nail biting is a common habit for lots of people, usually children, teens, and young adults. Often, nail biting is caused by stress and seems to wane as people get older. Though some would argue that it’s not as bad as smoking or other less desirable habits, there are several reasons to stop nail biting:

It’s unsanitary. Did you know that your mouth and your hands/nails are two of the germiest areas on your body? If you have any open sores on your fingertips and you bite your nails, the germs from your mouth spread to that area. Pretty gross if you think about it.

It’s unattractive. Nobody really wants to watch someone bite their nails. As well, it doesn’t make your nails look very nice either.

It hurts your teeth. When you bite your nails, it strains front teeth and can weaken them, which may contribute to misalignment or crookedness. Nail biting also keeps your teeth in constant chewing motion and may wear them down faster than if you didn’t bite your nails.

It can cost you money. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that nail biting may add $4000 to dental bills over a lifetime.

Stopping any habit can be difficult. To curtail your nail biting, try to:

  1. Think about it. Sometimes, just be conscious of this habit can help you stop.
  2. Make your nails look nice. You won’t want to mess them up if they are neatly manicured.
  3. Create a deterrent. Check at the drug store for colorless, odorless solutions you apply to the
    nails. These topicals taste awful, which should make it easier to quit.

Our dental office is located in Toronto

What to do about a Toothache

What to do about a Toothache

You wake up in the middle of the night to a throbbing sensation in your tooth. Tooth decay or an abscess usually causes this kind of pain. You will need to see a dentist as soon as possible to resolve the issue. But if you experience signs of a true dental emergency, contact your dentist right away.

Until you can get an appointment, you can try some of these home remedies to help ease some discomfort:

  • Apply an over-the-counter oral analgesic ointment to temporarily numb the area.
  • Look to see if food could be trapped between teeth and causing pressure. If so, dental floss can remove the irritant and you can rinse the area with warm water.
  • Mix bay berry bark with vinegar and apply the paste to the aching tooth.
  • Place a wet, black tea bag on your gums to relieve soreness; this may also help stop any bleeding.
  • Crush a piece of garlic clove and place it on the affected tooth.  Garlic is a natural antiseptic and pain reliever.
  • For pain in your gums, try applying an ice pack against the side of the face. Switch to heat if cold doesn’t help. Apply a hot compress and gargle with warm salt water.
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but don’t choose aspirin. If you need to have a dental procedure done, aspirin can increase bleeding.
  • Use cotton swab to put oil of cloves on the aching tooth every 20 minutes.

If you live in the Toronto area contact us today

What you Need to Know about Permanent Dentures

What you Need to Know about Permanent Dentures

Dentures have been around a long time as a way to restore smiles plagued by missing teeth. They provide a solution for people who want to smile, talk, and eat as normally as possible. Unfortunately, removable dentures aren’t without issues. They can become loose or shift, making it uncomfortable to eat and talk. Messy denture adhesives are bothersome and ineffective for some patients. Therefore, advancements in dental technology have developed the option of permanent dentures.

What are permanent dentures?

Permanent, or fixed, dentures are suitable for patients missing one, two, or more teeth. The appliance is made up of a row of crowns or artificial teeth, which are connected together and the framework is supported by dental implants. The implants act like natural tooth roots, and the permanent dentures create a bite similar to natural teeth.

What are the benefits?

Fixed dentures definitely offers some advantages to removable ones. The need for messy adhesives is eliminated, and you don’t have to worry about loose or ill-fitting dentures affecting you. The force of your bite is also improved, so you can eat all kinds of foods without concern. Because a permanent upper denture doesn’t cover the roof of your mouth, your ability to taste and enjoy food is not sacrificed. This kind of denture stays in place for normal oral hygiene, so there are no special cleaning or soaking requirements. If properly maintained, permanent dentures can last for many years or even a lifetime.

Are there any disadvantages?

Permanent dentures are susceptible to oral problems like infection or inflammation because they are not removable. Also, it is possible that the crowns may require replacement in 10 to 15 years.

We look forward to seeing you in our Toronto dental office