Time to Get Fresh! 3 Causes of Bad Breath

Time to Get Fresh! 3 Causes of Bad Breath

Don’t you just love that fresh feeling after you’ve brushed your teeth? August 6th is National Fresh Breath Day and a great time to celebrate the ways that a clean and healthy mouth will give you that fresh breath feeling. However, if you’re experiencing an unpleasant taste in your mouth or worried you have bad breath, you could have an underlying oral health issue. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing and sometimes cause anxiety. There’s no need to suffer! Below are three causes of bad breath and our recommendations for keeping your breath fresh and your mouth happy this National Fresh Breath Day…and every day!

  1. Tobacco Products

If you’re still searching for reasons to quit smoking, add bad breath to the list. Beyond the myriad health risks linked to tobacco use, smokers and oral tobacco users are more likely to have gum disease. Gum disease is a leading cause of bad breath, and is linked with other health conditions as well. If you’re looking for resources or help quitting tobacco…please let us know. We are here to help!

  1. Dry Mouth

Ever wake up with the dreaded “morning breath?” This is often due to dry mouth, which naturally occurs for many people while sleeping. Saliva is so important for your oral health; it helps clean away cavity-causing bacteria as well as odor-causing bacteria. If you have a dry mouth beyond just the morning time, it could be linked with certain medications you are taking or a condition known as xerostomia. Drinking extra water can help flush your mouth of the bad bacteria and keep it fresh. Be sure to also let Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Kargiorgos and your hygienist know about your medications and any health concerns you may have, such as dry mouth. We can work with you so your home oral care routine supports your needs.

  1. Poor Oral Hygiene

If you’re not brushing and flossing then food, plaque, and bacteria are left to their own devices to wreak havoc on the health of your teeth and gums, AND cause bad breath. Develop a home care routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day to take care of your whole mouth and prevent that stinky breath. If bad breath is a concern throughout the day, try brushing after every meal and consider tongue scraping as well. This will help remove extra food particles and bacteria and will help you feel extra fresh! Our team of amazing hygienists are always happy to share tips and techniques for brushing and flossing, so please ask how we can help you stick with an oral hygiene routine that works for you!

This National Fresh Breath Day, give your teeth and gums some extra love so your mouth feels extra healthy and fresh! If you still have concerns about persistent bad breath, talk to us and your doctor. Bad breath can also be linked to other health concerns. Please call us at 207.781.5900 with any questions, concerns, or to schedule your next appointment.

Home for the Holidays: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy!

“Home for the Holidays” has a whole new meaning this year.  Many of us are recalibrating our holiday celebrations to keep our loved ones and community safe.  In the midst of all this change, let’s not forget our dental health commitment!  To keep it simple for you, we put together our top 5 tips for keeping your teeth healthy and treating yourself right this holiday season.  

1. Treat yourself to a new toothbrush!

When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush?  We (and the ADA!) recommend you replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles become frayed.  It’s also important to replace your toothbrush after an illness to ensure you don’t spread more germs.  Our hygienists are fans of electric toothbrushes for top-notch brushing and frequently recommend them to patients.  Sounds like the perfect stocking stuffer!

2. Treat your teeth and gums to a massage!

We’ve talked about this on our blog before, but it’s actually possible to brush too hard.  Putting more elbow grease into your two minutes, twice-a-day doesn’t mean you’re doing a better job keeping your mouth healthy…in fact you could be damaging your tooth enamel or gums.  Be gentle with your teeth and brush like you are giving them a nice massage.  Find your moment of zen while you brush and your mouth will thank you!

3. Treat your whole body right!

Good oral health care doesn’t stop at the bathroom sink.  It’s also important to incorporate a healthy diet and healthy habits into your oral health care regimen.  The holidays are full of tempting sweets and goodies, but you’ll be treating your body and your teeth right when you make an effort to incorporate some crunchy veggies or fruit into your holiday nibbling.  From leafy greens to carrots to apples, there are a lot of healthy snacks out there that help support a healthy mouth.  Also, cheese lovers will rejoice to learn that they are supporting their teeth with a serving of calcium and Vitamin D!

4. Treat yourself to a new habit…flossing!

Get a jump start on the new year by adopting a new healthy habit that will support your oral health and your whole body: flossing!  We probably don’t need to tell you again that flossing is not only a crucial part of your dental care but that it has also been linked to improving health conditions such as diabetes.  There are other options for cleaning between your teeth beyond just traditional flossing, so you can figure out what works best for you. It doesn’t matter when you floss each day, just do it! 

5. Treat yourself to a dental checkup with our compassionate team of dental professionals who care about you!

We are your partners in oral health and want to provide you with the absolute best oral health care possible.  If you have put off your routine check up due to concerns about the virus, please call us at 207.781.5900. We can discuss your concerns and describe our health screening and COVID-19 protocols that are in place to protect both you as our patient and us as your provider. 

Happy Holidays from our FDA family to yours!  Stay safe and stay healthy!

 

Need a Resolution? Kick these 5 Bad Habits that Hurt Your Teeth!

Did you remember to brush your teeth when you went to bed after ringing in the New Year at midnight? Your team at Falmouth Dental Arts hopes you did, and we wish our family of patients a year filled with healthy mouths. Are you still looking for a 2020 resolution, but feel like adding a whole new good habit is a little too ambitious? Why not try quitting a bad habit instead? 

We’ve compiled a list of 5 Bad Habits that hurt your teeth. Quit one–kick them all!–and look forward to your best dental year yet! 

1. Biting your nails: We’ve all done it once or twice, but when biting your nails becomes a habit, it has bad side effects for your nails and your entire mouth. Biting your nails can chip your teeth and ultimately impact your jaw. Continually protruding your jaw and biting with pressure gradually changes the natural alignment of your bite, resulting in jaw dysfunction.

Kick It! Try painting a bitter-tasting polish (available in clear varieties as well, for those who would prefer a more subtle tone) on your nails.

2. Brushing too hard/Overbrushing: We all know that brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, is a terrific tooth habit! However, brushing with a stiff-bristled brush, applying a lot of force, or brushing for longer than two minutes can all hurt your teeth and gums. Overbrushing in any form can damage your tooth enamel and erode your gums.

Kick It!  Look for a soft-bristled brush with the ADA Seal of Approval, and be sure to use a gentle hand when brushing. Don’t think of “scrubbing” your teeth–think of “massaging” them. So much nicer!

 

3. Grinding your teeth/Clenching your jaw: Life can be stressful. Sometimes that stress makes us slouch at our desk or hunch our shoulders, but sometimes stress seeps into our dental posture as well. Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw can cause cracking or chipping of your teeth, not to mention muscle and joint pain from sustained pressure. 

Kick it! Try some relaxation techniques throughout the day, especially before bed. Grinding your teeth when you’re sleeping is the most difficult to address because you’re unconscious! If you are particularly prone to grinding your teeth in your sleep, you may need to invest in a mouth guard to wear while you sleep. 

4. Using your teeth as tools: Just like biting your nails, we’ve all attempted to use our teeth as scissors or an extra hand. However, your teeth are made for eating and for smiling–not for opening bottles or removing tags. When you use your teeth as tools, you run the risk of cracking or chipping your teeth, puncturing your gums, or even choking.

Kick it! Go get a pair of scissors, find your bottle opener, and make two trips! It may seem like more work at first, but your teeth will be happier. 

5. Chewing ice: This one may seem a little specific, but consider this: your tooth enamel is a type of crystal, as is ice. When you push two crystals against each other, one eventually breaks. In this particular scenario, it is typically the ice which cracks and crumbles–but that’s not a guarantee! Sometimes, teeth or dental appliances break first, leading to a costly visit to the dentist.

Kick it! Use a straw to sip icy beverages, or remove the ice before you start drinking.

Here at Falmouth Dental Arts, we are committed to providing top-notch tooth love for our patients in the office. However, we want to support you and your teeth at all times! If you have any questions about these bad habits, or want some more ideas on how to build good dental habits, please ask at your next appointment. To schedule your appointment, please call our office at 207.781.5900.         

Five Dental Myths…BUSTED!

Can you handle the truth?  Good, because we are here to set the record straight on oral health care!  There are some widely held, but false, ideas about dental health out there.  Some are silly, but some could lead to potential problems down the road. We decided to debunk five common dental myths and discuss the right way to keep your teeth clean and healthy.

Myth: The harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth will be.

Brushing your teeth regularly is important–twice a day for two minutes–however brushing harder doesn’t mean you’re brushing better.  In fact, brushing too hard with an abrasive brush or toothpaste can erode enamel and push back the gums. That’s why we recommend using a soft-bristled electric toothbrush.  

A quick refresher on proper brushing technique: move the toothbrush with short strokes and a polishing motion and use the full two minutes to make sure you’ve thoroughly and gently brushed all your teeth surfaces.  A good rule of thumb: if you’re squashing your toothbrush bristles into your teeth and gums, you’re pushing too hard.

Myth:  Tooth decay is caused mostly by sugar.

While too much sugar can lead to cavities, it isn’t the only culprit.  Starchy carbohydrates like chips and crackers are just as harmful to your teeth as candy.  These carbohydrates also have sugars which can break down the teeth. It’s even worse for your teeth when starchy snacks stick to the teeth as this creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.  Follow a healthy diet where you eat lots of fruits and veggies and protein and your teeth will be happy. For more tips, see our blog post from last November for foods and drinks that can benefit your teeth!

Myth:  Gum disease is only a problem for your teeth.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, your oral health is an important part of your overall health.  As Dr. Brunacini discussed on the blog last month, the health of your mouth can affect your body’s other systems.  Case in point, gum disease has been linked to diabetes and hypertension.  In fact, research has shown that when people with diabetes keep their blood sugar under control, their gum disease symptoms improve as well.  It’s important to have your dentist be a part of your healthcare team and come in for regular cleanings and checkups. We believe in a holistic approach to dentistry with the whole body and whole person in mind. Here’s to happy smiles and healthy bodies!

Myth:  If your gums bleed when you floss, you should leave them alone.

Bleeding is a sign of inflammation and that your gums need attention.   If you’re experiencing this symptom, come in for a checkup and cleaning.  We can help determine if you have gum disease or a more serious condition that requires more attention.  For most minor bleeding, daily flossing and proper brushing can help improve the health of your gums and the bleeding will eventually go away.  

Myth:  If you brush and floss regularly, and nothing is bothering you, then you don’t need to see the dentist.

Regular dental check-ups are an important part of oral health care.  Often dentists can help prevent problems before you have painful symptoms.  For example, if you wait until a cavity hurts, you may then need a root canal or extraction rather than a simple filling.  With regular check-ups, we can help patients maintain their good oral health, as well as screen for early signs of problems such as cavities and oral cancer.  Our mission is to build partnership with all our patients so they are connected to quality dental care and compassionate dental professionals. Let’s work together to keep you smiling and healthy!

If you need a possible dental myth busted or have questions about dental best practices, give us a call at 207.781.5900.  We’ll always give you the facts and provide the best oral health care possible!

 

*Image courtesy of www.pctechmag.com