Chronic bad breath is usually a sign that an underlying problem is present, so you should always follow up with your dentist to evaluate your smile if you have persistent bad breath.

It’s understandable that you’d want your stinky breath to go away as soon as possible. While you’re waiting to see your dentist, what can you do the meantime to have a clean and fresh smile?

Mouthwash

Mouthwash can temporarily help your chronic bad breath although it won’t fix the cause of it. It’s important to not rely on mouthwash as a permanent solution to a constant bad odor or foul taste in your mouth.

You can ask your dentist which mouthwash you should use or he or she may prescribe a
mouthwash for you based on your symptoms and the cause of your bad breath [1].

You can also try to rinse your mouth out with essential oils if you have them on hand, such as peppermint. Try rinsing with one or two drops of peppermint essential oil in water which can give you a powerful boost of fresh breath!

Drink Water

Another major cause of chronic bad breath is dehydration, which can affect saliva production. When your oral cavity doesn’t have enough saliva, bacteria can quickly get out of control [2]. If your mouth feels dry, try drinking more water throughout the day and reducing your caffeine intake (which includes coffee, soda, and most teas).

Drinking water can help alleviate your chronic bad breath quickly, so don’t overlook this simple but important practice!

Chew Gum

Chewing gum can not only help mask your chronic bad breath, but will help increase saliva production which could be contributing to your bad breath in the first place.

The best gum to chew is sugar-free gum so it won’t increase your risk of cavities. When you need a fast chronic bad breath remedy, chewing gum is easy enough to have on hand.

Brush Your Tongue

Your tongue is home to many bacteria so be sure to brush your tongue along with brushing your teeth and flossing daily. Whether you use your regular toothbrush or a tongue scraper, don’t overlook this important part of your oral care routine!

Foods That May Help

There are certain foods that may help your chronic bad breath in a pinch. These include:

• Spices such as cinnamon sticks, clove buds, and fennel seeds that you can suck or bite
  on (but not chew). You’ll want to spit out these spices after biting as they tend to be
  strong and can irritate the soft tissues of the mouth.
• Citrus fruit rinds such as lemon, lime, or orange, which you can rinse off and briefly
  chew on to alleviate stinky breath.
• Eating or chewing herbs such as parsley, basil, and mint can help as well, so order a dish with these when you’re out at lunch!

Getting Help for Your Chronic Bad Breath

It’s important to remember that gum disease is the main cause of chronic bad breath, so don’t hesitate to schedule a visit with your dentist to check for this oral health condition [3]. By addressing the root cause of your bad breath, you can get it to go away once and for all!

Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350925
2. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/sig258649spec
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3412664/

The post Fast Remedies for Chronic Bad Breath appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, gum tissue is not immune to problems, particularly disease and irritation that can
make gum tissue sensitive and painful. What exactly can cause gum sensitivity and what will
help it go away?

Brushing or Flossing Too Aggressively

Surprisingly, most people are using the wrong toothbrush. Brushing with a toothbrush that has
stiff bristles can harm gum tissue as well as your tooth enamel. As long as you’re using quality
brushing techniques, a soft-bristled toothbrush is your best bet to protect your gums and your
tooth enamel from damage.

Flossing too aggressively can also cause sensitive gum tissue, especially if you haven’t flossed in
a long time. Be gentle when flossing and don’t rush. Avoid making a sawing motion at your gum
tissue with the floss. By taking the time to brush and floss your teeth properly, you can avoid
irritating your gums!

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an unfortunate reality for millions of Americans today.
Symptoms of gum disease include swollen or sensitive gum tissue that may bleed [1]. Gum
disease is progressive and if left untreated can lead to loose teeth and even tooth loss.

By the time gum disease produces symptoms, the disease is already progressing, which makes
getting regular checkups with your dentist all the more important. However, making an
appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice symptoms can help you get the treatment
you need as soon as possible to reverse your gum sensitivity.

Pregnancy

Hormone changes during pregnancy can cause increased blood flow to the gum tissue which
may make gums more swollen and sensitive [2]. Periodontal disease during pregnancy is also
common due to changing hormones and can cause sensitive teeth and bleeding gum tissue.

It’s safe to see your dentist while you’re pregnant and in fact may even be important not only
for your health but for the health of your baby, as periodontal disease has been linked to
premature birth and low birth weight, so get those checkups!

Chronic Stress

Experiencing stress from time to time is normal, but experiencing chronic, prolonged stress has
the potential to cause inflammation throughout the body as the result of the hormone cortisol.
This type of chronic inflammation can lead to symptoms of gum disease such as sensitive gum
tissue and has been linked to other health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes [3].

Your dentist can help you prevent gum disease with regular checkups and cleanings, and by
managing your stress, you’ll help your body as well as your smile!

Sensitive gum tissue is trying to tell you something, so don’t ignore gums that may be red,
tender, or inflamed. By seeing your dentist and getting a checkup to evaluate your gum health,
you can help protect and nourish your teeth with healthy gum tissue for life!

Sources:
1. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/more-info
2. http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/swollen-gums-during-pregnancy/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC88948/

The post What Causes Gum Sensitivity, and What Can You Do About It? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The actual implant consists of a small screw that’s inserted into the jaw onto which a dental
crown will be placed. These sturdy restorations are designed to last a lifetime.

But can dental implants actually help prevent gum disease? Here’s what you need to know
about gum health after getting dental implants.

Implants Support Alveolar Bone

Dental implants help support the bone that supports teeth, which is called alveolar bone. This
bone—located in your jaw—helps keep your teeth healthy along with your gums and other
connective tissue.

When your alveolar bone is strong, you’re less likely to lose teeth. Jawbone naturally recedes
when a tooth is lost, as the bone is no longer being stimulated by that particular tooth and so
the body doesn’t see a need for it.

Lost jawbone can make your face appear less full and more sunken, leading to an older
appearance. Dental implants can essentially halt the bone loss process and generate better
jawbone density even if you’ve been missing teeth for years.

Dental Implants Can Still Be Affected by Gum Disease

Just because dental implants can support healthy alveolar bone doesn’t mean that your teeth
will now be immune to gum disease.

Dental implants aren’t able to get cavities, but gum disease can still affect the gum tissue
surrounding your new dental implant. This means that your dental implant is still susceptible to
the effects of gum disease.

For this reason, your dentist will want to ensure your gums are healthy before considering
dental implants for your smile. You cannot have existing gum disease and get dental implants,
but you can have dental implants and get gum disease.

How to Know if You Qualify for Dental Implants

Fortunately, even if you’ve had gum disease in the past, you can still qualify for dental implants
as long as your gum disease has been resolved by your dentist.

If you have an existing gum infection, your dentist will need to cure the problem before
considering your candidacy for dental implants.

You’ll also need to have enough alveolar bone to support dental implants. However, even if
you’ve sustained jawbone loss over the years, you may be able to get a bone graft in order to
receive dental implants.

Patients who may not qualify for dental implants include those who currently have gum
disease, those who smoke, or those who don’t have enough jawbone and are not able to
receive a bone graft.

Considering Dental Implants?

You don’t have to live with missing teeth. Dental implants have a 98% success rate and the
majority of patients are very satisfied with their restorations [1].

Dental implants may help prevent bone and tooth loss, but remember that keeping your smile
healthy is going to be key to preventing gum disease with your dental implants. Talk to your
dentist today to see if you qualify for these quality tooth replacements!

Sources:
1. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-myths

The post Can Dental Implants Help Prevent Gum Disease? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Dry socket happens when the blood clot that normally forms over the areas of extraction is
somehow dislodged or never properly forms in the first place. When the blood clot is no longer
there, it leaves nerve tissue and even bone exposed after your procedure.

Dry socket will need to be treated by your dentist as soon as possible, but how can you know if
you have dry socket, and what can be done about it?

How Dry Socket Happens

Dry socket can happen for a variety of reasons. Food debris or bacteria may somehow cause
the clot to dislodge or improperly form. Any type of trauma to the area, whether it’s
accidentally hitting it with your toothbrush or chewing foods that are too hard, can also cause
this issue.

People who smoke or neglect to follow their dentist’s instructions for care after wisdom tooth
removal are more at risk to experience dry socket, as are those who are on oral contraception,
as higher levels of estrogen may interfere with clot formation.

Signs and Symptoms

Dry socket will cause some discomfort and is generally painful. Patients usually experience pain
on the corresponding side of their jaw where the affected extraction site is. This pain or
throbbing may spread throughout the face.

Patients may also experience a bad taste in their mouth or have bad breath that doesn’t go
away after brushing, which can be indicative of an infection. In addition, bone may be visible at
the extraction site.

Treatment for Dry Socket

If you have a dry socket, treatment at your dentist’s office will be required. Your dentist will
clean the area in order to help prevent an infection—or treat an existing infection if
necessary—and will provide a numbing cream or gel for the pain.

Your dentist will send you home with instructions for aftercare which may include rinsing with
saltwater. A follow-up appointment is necessary to ensure the extraction site is healing
properly after your initial visit.

How to Prevent Complications After Extraction

You can have a healthy healing process after your tooth extraction by following your dentist’s
instructions. The following tips can help prevent dry socket:

Don’t smoke or use tobacco. If you haven’t quit yet, talk to your dentist or doctor about
getting help. Chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes should be avoided as well!

Eat softer foods. Sticking to soft foods after the procedure can help prevent trauma to
the extraction site and accelerate the healing process.

Keep your mouth clean. It’s important to brush gently yet thoroughly and avoid the
extraction site.

Rest. Take it easy for one to two days after your procedure to give your body time to
heal.

Fortunately, dry socket won’t happen to the majority of patients that need a tooth extraction.
However, if you’re worried about getting a dry socket, talk to your dentist. He or she can
provide additional tips to help you avoid this complication after your procedure. By following
your dentist’s instructions, you’ll be back to normal in no time!

The post What is a Dry Socket? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Regardless of what’s holding you back from visiting your dentist, keep in mind that there are few things
scarier than the consequences of skipping your annual teeth cleaning. Consider the following health
risks before you decide to forgo that essential dentist appointment!

Gum Disease

With nearly half the adult population of America having some form of gum disease, this might seem like
a common problem that’s not a big deal. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Gum disease happens when plaque from inadequate oral care builds up around your gum tissue and can
cause inflammation, bleeding, and infection. Without treatment, gum disease is one of the leading
causes of tooth loss in older adults.

In addition, the inflammation and bacteria present in gum disease have been linked to many other
health conditions. From heart disease to diabetes to cancer, research is finding more and more that gum
disease could be linked to disease within the body.

Tooth Decay

Without a professional cleaning, it’s highly unlikely you’re reaching all the areas in your mouth that you
need to in order to remain plaque-free. When plaque is allowed to build up, it can turn into tartar, which
can only be removed by a dentist.

Tooth decay is an unfortunate result of unmanaged plaque. By skipping your annual cleaning, plaque is
allowed to harm your tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities that will need professional treatment.
Having cavities isn’t just inconvenient—it’s damaging to your oral health and can be costly as well. With
a simple professional cleaning, you can help prevent cavities and enjoy a smile free of tooth decay.

Teeth Staining

Besides helping to prevent gum disease and tooth decay, regular cleanings help lift surface stains out of
your tooth enamel. Through regularly removing these stains, your smile remains as bright as possible
without additional treatment.

Although your regular oral care habits at home can help remove stains daily as well, a professional
cleaning can more effectively get rid of those stains. In addition, skipping your cleaning can allow stains
to build up, which can make it harder to remove them later on, even with a professional teeth
whitening.

Greater Risk of Unhappiness

Recent research suggests that skipping regular dental appointments could lead to poorer quality of life,
as people who avoided the dentist tended to have cavities, gum disease, and missing teeth, therefore giving them more anxiety and less happiness about life due to their compromised smile.

Instead of being anxious about your smile or depressed about missing teeth, simply schedule a dentist
appointment at least once a year to keep your smile as healthy as possible!

When was the last time you saw the dentist? Your dentist plays a crucial role in keeping your smile
healthy and disease-free—and who doesn’t want that? No matter how long it’s been since you’ve had a
professional teeth cleaning, reach out to your local dentist today to reveal your beautiful smile!

The post The Consequences of Skipping Those Yearly Teeth Cleanings appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, even wearing a mouthguard during non-contact sports such as soccer, basketball, and
baseball can help prevent injuries. Any child who plays a sport—regardless of age—should wear
a mouthguard. But why?

Injuries Can Happen During Any Sport

Accidents can happen anywhere, especially when your child is involved in a sport. Sports
injuries to the face, jaw, or mouth can cause major damage, from tooth loss to cut gums.

Even if your child just loses a baby tooth, losing baby teeth prematurely will impact your child’s
permanent teeth. Baby teeth are there to help guide adult teeth into position, so without this
important marker, your child may need to have orthodontia later on.

A mouthguard helps absorb the impact of the blow to the face or jaw, reducing the chances
that your child’s teeth will suffer the consequences. In fact, recent research suggests that
mouthguards may help prevent concussions during sports!

Mouthguards for Children of All Ages

Children of any age can be sized for a mouthguard. Many children start playing sports young, so
dentists can make custom mouthguards for children of all ages and sizes.

Although store-bought mouthguards are cheaper, they tend to be uncomfortable and don’t
provide full protection. A custom mouthguard from your dentist is your best choice and will
provide complete protection for your little one’s smile.

Mouthguards aren’t just for kids with braces—any child can benefit from wearing one when
playing sports!

How to Get Your Child to Wear Their Mouthguard

Not all children are keen on wearing mouthguards. Some may be too young to fully understand
why the mouthguard is necessary and attempt to go without it. Fortunately, there are several
ways to get your child to wear their mouthguard.

 Get their favorite color. Your child will love their custom colored mouthguard!

 Make it fun. You can get sparkly mouthguards or mouthguards with a unique logo or
design to customize it for your child.

 Flavored mouthguards. Some dentists offer the option for mouthguards to come with a
flavor, which may encourage your child to wear it during their sport.

 Incentives. If all else fails, offer your child an incentive, such as choosing a prize after
every game they wear their mouthguard.

You can and should explain to your child why the mouthguard is important for their smile, even
if they’re a bit young to fully understand. You can explain that a mouthguard is just as
important as their uniform, knee pads, shin guards, and other protective gear. You can also tell
them that a mouthguard is just another way of taking care of your smile, just like brushing and
flossing.

If your child is playing a sport, especially a contact sport, a mouthguard should be an essential
part of their uniform during games and practices. Protecting your child’s teeth—even if they’re
baby teeth—is going to help their smile remain healthy and secure for life!

The post At What Age Should My Child Wear a Mouthguard During Sports? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Although dentists cannot provide an official diagnosis for sleep apnea, these professionals are
often the first people to come into contact with the disorder and can provide further guidance
and even initiate treatment.

Here’s how your dentist can help with your sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms

Since patients usually see their dentist more often than their primary care doctor, your dentist
is often able to recognize the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea before your doctor is able to
make the diagnosis.

These signs and symptoms include enamel erosion as a result of dry mouth from snoring, teeth
grinding (bruxism), and inflamed gum tissue.

Your dentist may ask you questions such as whether or not you wake up with a headache, if you
snore, if you have other health conditions linked with sleep apnea—such as high blood
pressure—or if you feel fatigued throughout the day.

Getting a Diagnosis

If your dentist suspects you may be suffering from sleep apnea, he or she can refer you to a
sleep specialist for an official diagnosis.

Although dentists are trained to recognize and treat sleep apnea, a confirmed diagnosis from a
sleep specialist is required before treatment can be done. This is to ensure you’re getting the
correct diagnosis and treatment plan that you need to get better.

Your sleep specialist will likely recommend you have an overnight sleep study done to
determine if you have sleep apnea. Once a diagnosis is made, you can talk about your options
and come up with the right course of treatment for you.

Receiving Treatment

Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines have long been the traditional
form of treatment for sleep apnea, many patients are unable to comply with this form of
treatment due to discomfort or inconvenience.

This is where your dentist comes in. Your dentist can help treat your sleep apnea through oral
sleep appliances, which aren’t much different from a retainer but will slightly shift your jaw
forward in order to keep your airway open while sleeping, therefore eliminating your cessation
of breathing during sleep and reducing your sleep apnea symptoms.

People who receive oral sleep appliance therapy from their dentist are often more able to
comply with their treatment and see their sleep apnea symptoms disappear once they begin
getting a good night’s sleep again.

Since sleep apnea can affect your entire life, from your daily performance to your risk for
chronic diseases, getting an official diagnosis is essential to receiving the right treatment that
can help restore your quality of life. Your dentist is an integral part of this process, so visit your
dentist today if you suspect you suffer from sleep apnea!

The post How Does a Dentist Diagnose Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

So what exactly is sugar’s role in dental caries? Here we discover how cavities form and what
sugar has to do with it.

Sugar Leads to Bad Bacteria

Everyone has bacteria in their oral cavity. In fact, some of these bacteria are very helpful to our
smiles. Of course, bad bacteria exist too, and maintaining a balance between these good and
bad bacteria in our mouths is often what helps us prevent tooth decay and other oral health
problems such as gum disease.

When sugar is introduced into the oral cavity, it produces more bad bacteria in the form of
harmful acids that can attack tooth enamel. It upsets the balance of bacteria and turns the pH
of our saliva more acidic, which can quickly harm tooth enamel and begin the process of
forming a cavity.

Other Foods That Harm Your Teeth

Besides sugar, there are other foods that can cause the mouth to become more acidic and
cause these bacteria to harm your teeth. These include carbohydrates such as those found in
bread, crackers, chips, and even pasta. These carbohydrates are turned into simple sugars,
which in turn, feed bacteria and cause acid.

While sugar usually takes center stage when it comes to tooth decay, often, other foods can be
just as harmful as sugar when it comes to cavities. It’s important to eat foods that help nourish
your smile and maintain a healthy bacteria balance, such as vegetables.

How to Stop the Damage

You can help prevent sugar and other simple carbohydrates from damaging your smile by
adopting a few simple habits. The first, of course, is to minimize these sugars in your diet as
much as possible. You can still eat these foods in moderation. When you do, be sure to:

 Rinse with water. Rinsing your mouth with water after consuming these foods can help
create a buffer between the bad bacteria and your teeth, helping to reduce your risk of
enamel damage.
 Wait to brush. Although some people think brushing immediately after meals is the
answer, in truth, this practice can be very damaging to teeth. Our tooth enamel is
porous and can become softer after we eat. You should ideally aim to wait at least 30
minutes after eating or drinking sweet beverages before brushing.
 Visit your dentist. Your dentist can help ensure your tooth enamel is healthy and stay
on top of any enamel damage to help prevent cavities.

So there you have it— while sugar certainly plays a role in cavity formation, in and of itself,
sugar isn’t solely to blame. There are other foods that are just as responsible for causing tooth
decay as sugar. Be sure to visit your dentist to help stop cavity formation and adopt healthier
practices to keep your smile beautiful for life!

The post How Does Sugar Cause Cavities? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

You can take simple steps to stop clenching your teeth and prevent damage to your gum tissue
and tooth enamel with the help of your dentist. Here’s how.

Step One: Visit Your Dentist

Although you may want to jump right into the lifestyle changes, take time to visit your dentist.
Your dentist is going to be your most valuable asset when it comes to curbing your teeth
clenching habit. Trying to fix the problem on your own is not going to be worth ruining your
teeth!

A dentist can assess the damage and provide some immediate help. A custom-made
mouthguard can help you protect your smile from further damage while you take active steps
to stop the problem. Although a mouthguard can help tremendously, it won’t stop your jaw
clenching habit on its own. It will, however, stop your teeth from taking the full impact of the
damage.

Your dentist can also evaluate your teeth for any alignment problems that could be contributing
to your jaw clenching. For this, your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist to properly
address the problem.

Step Two: Minimize Stress

Stress is often the primary cause of jaw clenching and teeth grinding. The good news is that you
can take steps to reduce your stress. Your dentist and primary care physician can help, but here
are a few good starting points:

 Exercise regularly. Exercising can help release tension and majorly cut down on stress.

 Take on less at work. If you’re logging in many hours and not getting enough rest, you
can take on less at work to better manage your stress and improve your health!

 Meditate. Meditation has been shown to help people manage stress, chronic pain, and
much more. Take a few minutes every day to simply pay attention to your breathing.

 Get professional help. Know when to seek professional help for your stress
management.

Doing whatever is necessary to minimize stress is so important, as stress has other unhealthy
effects on the body and is suspected to be the cause of many illnesses.

Step 3: Adjust Your Bedtime Routine

Getting enough rest isn’t only an excellent way to help manage your stress, it can also help stop
your jaw clenching, especially if you do it while you sleep and don’t realize it.

To help wind down before bed, stay off all electronics for at least one hour before you go to
sleep. You can also avoid caffeine, coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate. All of these substances act
as stimulants and can impact your quality of sleep to prevent you from getting the proper rest
you need. Alcohol is another beverage that can disrupt your sleep!

If you clench your jaw and are noticing headaches, sore neck, face, or jaw muscles, it’s time to
make an appointment with your dentist. These are all signs that your jaw clenching is impacting
your life and you need to get help before it gets worse. Call your dentist today to get help
stopping your jaw clenching once and for all!

The post Steps to Stop Clenching Your Teeth appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

When your wisdom teeth don’t have room to come in all the way, they may only erupt through
the gums partially, or push horizontally against the other teeth. Either way, these impacted
wisdom teeth can cause damage through crowding or problems with the gum tissue. Partially
erupted wisdom teeth can cause bacteria to grow, causing pericoronitis, or an infection in your
wisdom teeth.

What are the signs of a wisdom tooth infection? Here’s what you need to look out for!

Red Swollen Gums

If you’re able to see your wisdom teeth in the back of your mouth, you may notice red,
inflamed gums around one or more of your wisdom teeth if you have an infection. Although
you may or may not see any pus, the swelling or tenderness in that area may make it
uncomfortable for you to bite down properly. Puffy gum tissue around the infected site and
redness may be signs of pericoronitis.

Bad Taste or Smell in Your Mouth

One sign of an infection in your oral cavity is a foul taste in your mouth or a bad smell. In
addition to this, you may also see pus coming from the gum tissue near the infected tooth. This
taste will return after brushing and will normally persist until the infection is taken care of. If
you notice these signs, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist to evaluate the
problem!

Swollen Lymph Nodes or Fever

If your infection is more severe, you may have swollen lymph nodes just below your chin, which
usually indicates that your body is trying to fight off an infection. You may also have a fever or
chills, and additional swelling on the side of your face with your affected tooth. Some people
even experience jaw muscle spasms. All of these are signs that you need to get checked out to
determine what’s causing the problem.

How Periocoronitis Is Treated

In order to make the infection go away, you’ll need to have your dentist properly clear the
infection, and you’ll likely need to be on antibiotics. You may also need to have your wisdom
teeth extracted, or have gum tissue around the area removed so that the infection doesn’t
return. Your dentist will discuss the best options for your treatment with you once your
symptoms are evaluated and a diagnosis is made.

Are you experiencing signs of wisdom tooth infection? If your wisdom teeth are still intact and
you’ve been seeing any of these signs, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Since oral infections can get into the bloodstream, it’s imperative that you get the problem
addressed as soon as possible. Get your wisdom teeth checked out if you have these signs!

The post Top Signs of Wisdom Tooth Infection appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.