Visit Our Dental Office to Have Your Bad Breath Treated

In our dental office, a lot of patients ask us about bad breath and what they can do to eliminate it.  We understand that this is an inconvenient problem to have.  Foul-smelling breath can make it difficult to have social interactions or meetings at work since it can make those around you uncomfortable.  The more severe cases of bad breath (halitosis) can be so dramatic that the smell can literally stink up a confined space.  Fortunately, we can help before it ever reaches this level, and we recommend that you schedule an appointment at the first sign of bad breath.

Why do I need help treating bad breath?

It is important to note that bad breath isn't always caused by what you had for dinner.  Very often, it is a sign of an infection and the body's way of letting you know that there is something wrong. This is why we want you to call and schedule an appointment if your breath is consistently smelling foul or is progressively getting worse.  One of the things we will look for is an infected tooth.  If a tooth is infected, or starting to have severe decay, it can emit a strong smelling odor.  By identifying the problem, we can treat the tooth, eliminate the infection, and restore it to optimum health.  As a result, your breath will start to smell better.

Another cause of bad breath is gum disease.  This is a condition that impacts most adults at some point in their lifetime.  In its earliest stage, gum disease, also known as gingivitis, will make the gums red, swollen, and may cause some bleeding.  It is uncomfortable but shouldn't disrupt life too significantly.  However, if the condition is left untreated it can cause the gums to recede, and as they pull away from the tooth structure, the risk of an infection only increases.  Gum recession can create pockets in the gum tissue where bacteria are prone to gather, leading to bone loss and even tooth loss.  When you visit our dental office with bad breath, we will identify any gum disease and treat the condition.  This level of care can often prevent tooth loss in the future.

In our dental office, we will also conduct a thorough teeth cleaning so that we can remove any plaque or bacteria that has gathered in between your teeth or other hard to reach spaces.  Food or plaque that is stuck may be what is causing your bad breath, and a simple teeth cleaning can help your breath to smell better.  We can also clean your tongue since bacteria gather here as well.

What you can do at home.

We recommend that you brush your teeth three times a day using a soft toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.  This will help your teeth and gums to stay clean while also improving your breath.  Be sure to floss at least once a day as well, since this is where a lot of bad breath comes from.  You can also use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill lingering bacteria and use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria from your tongue.  If you are otherwise healthy, this should help to control your bad breath.

Family Dentist  >  Dentist

Here’s Why We Use Fluoride in Our Family Dentist Office

In our family dentist office, our goal is to help our patients to stay in excellent oral health.  With that in mind, we are passionate about preventative care.  We encourage you to come to our office and have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year so that we can remove plaque and bacteria before cavities and gum disease occur.  In addition, we may talk to you about fluoride or even recommend a fluoride treatment.  While most of our patients have heard of the substance, few are familiar with exactly how it works.  Here are some of the questions we are commonly asked in our dental office.

Where can I find fluoride?

Fluoride is derived from fluorine, a naturally occurring ion that can be found in the dirt, air, and even food.  In these quantities, it doesn't benefit your teeth, so it has been placed in public water.  Through a massive public health initiative, fluoride has been added to the water supply of over 10,000 communities across the United States.  Simultaneously, we apply fluoride treatments in our dental office by placing a varnish on the teeth. The varnish is virtually odorless and tasteless, so it doesn't bother young children.  Within four minutes, it will be fully absorbed, so the treatment is incredibly convenient.  If you want to use fluoride at home, we recommend brushing with toothpaste that contains it.  There are additional products you can buy like fluoridated milk, but the science is unclear as to how much it will help you.

Why is using fluoride important?

As a family dentist, we turn to what the Center for Disease Control said.  According to the CDC, tooth decay is the most commonly occurring infectious disease in children.  This is alarming and as a dentist, we do our part to help prevent tooth decay and cavities.  The use of fluoride can decrease the risk of tooth decay by thirty percent, making it an important tool for helping us to fight the problem. In essence, it can help to keep teeth strong in between dental visits so that there is less of a chance that a cavity will exist or become large by the time you come in for your next appointment.
Who should use fluoride?

We specifically recommend that children and teens have a fluoride treatment on an annual basis in order to reduce their risk for cavities.  Adults can also benefit from fluoride though most get it in their drinking water and by using a fluoride toothpaste. We recommend always brushing with a fluoride toothpaste since this is the easiest way to strengthen your teeth and fight tooth decay at home.
Is it safe?

As a family dentist, we are frequently asked this question, and the answer is yes.  Like all things, fluoride most be used in moderation, so the EPA regulates how much of it is put into drinking water.  In our office, we apply the correct dosage through the varnish and the toothpaste is also regulated, making it perfectly safe for your family.

Children's Dentist  >  Dentist