Chronic Halitosis Could Be Ruining Your Life

If your chronic halitosis is keeping you away from social engagements, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Although there are several reasons for chronic bad breath, gum disease is at the top of the list. If you have gum disease it’s not just your teeth and gums that will suffer.

Periodontal disease, the more serious form of gum disease, has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.  Although it is imperative that you schedule an appointment for your chronic halitosis, there are some other reasons for your bad breath.

Dry Mouth-Medications, postnasal drip, tobacco use and certain medical problems can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can cause bad breath and other teeth and gum problems. Dry mouth occurs because your salivary glands aren’t producing enough saliva. Ask your doctor to switch your medication. If you aren’t on any over the counter or prescribed drugs, talk to your dentist.

Tobacco-Cigarettes, cigars, Hookah pipes, and chewing tobacco are equally as bad as each other. If you smoke or chew, you could be suffering from chronic halitosis. Ask your doctor about kicking the habit. Tobacco also affects your sense of taste and smell, can irritate your delicate gums and can stain your teeth. When you quit chewing or smoking, you may see an increase in your social engagement invitations.

Onions and Garlic-You may love garlic and onions, but be aware that the odor will stay in your system up to 72 hours after you have eaten it. Odorous foods are absorbed into your blood stream, through your skin and into your teeth and gums. Brushing, flossing and mouth rinse will not help the smell go away until the onions, garlic and other odorous foods have been absorbed into your body.

If you have chronic bad breath, schedule an appointment with your Corona Dentist who can determine the cause and come up with a solution to your chronic halitosis. Call or click now.

More than Teeth and Gums

Your mouth is more than teeth, making good oral hygiene habits even more important. Your mouth is made up of the lower and upper jaw, oral mucosa, gums, salivary glands, the tongue, the frenulum, and the uvula. All of these play a very important role in your overall dental health.

Upper/Lower Jaw

Your jaws are what give your mouth structure and your face shape. You need both to speak and chew. Humans have two bones in the upper jaw that are fused together. Your upper jaw is also fused to your skull. The lower jawbone is separate from your skull as it enables your jaw to move both up and down when you talk and eat.

Oral Mucosa

Open your mouth and you will see that everything, besides your teeth, is covered with oral mucosa. This protective liner is a mucous membrane that is like the mucous membranes in your inner ears and nostrils. The mucosa plays an important role when it comes to maintaining your overall and oral health. Your oral mucosa contains keratin, which is also found in your hair and fingernails making it resistant to injury.

Gums

The pinkish tissue surrounding your teeth is known as your gums. Covered by oral mucosa, your gums play a crucial role when it comes to your overall health as recent studies have indicated that your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. Healthy gums cover the roots of your teeth, are firm, and will not bleed when you brush and floss. Gingivitis and the more serious periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and other problems such as heart disease and stroke.

Salivary Glands

There are three sets of salivary glands in your neck and mouth. The submandibular, the parotid, and the sublingual glands. All of these glands produce saliva that will help break down the food you consume. Saliva is vital to oral health as it protects your gums and your teeth by rinsing away the bacteria and the plaque. Saliva also counteracts with the acidic foods that will wear down the enamel on your teeth.

Tongue

Your tongue is a very powerful muscle that is covered in a special type of mucosal tissue. That tissue also contains your taste buds. Your dentist explains that your tongue is vital to your oral health as it aids in digestion. Your tongue moves food to the teeth, and when it has been chewed is swallowed thanks to the tongue moving it to the back of your throat before heading to the esophagus.

Uvula

The tissue that hangs at the back of the throat is called the uvula. Composed of glandular and connective tissue and muscle fibers it has had scientists baffled about what it really does and while all of the functions are not totally understood, it does seem to play a role in talking and keeping your mouth moist.

Frenulum

The flap of oral mucosa, the frenulum, connects the floor of your mouth to your tongue and allows it to do its job by moving your tongue. If a baby is born with a short frenulum, or one that isn’t elastic enough, he or she will have trouble breastfeeding. A short frenulum can also affect your child’s speech. 

Why Do I Need Scaling and Root Planing?

If you have been experiencing red, swollen, and bleeding gums every time you brush or floss, it is time to schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you are dealing with some type of gum disease.

Gingivitis is the least serious and can usually be taken care of with a professional cleaning. Gingivitis can be reversed as long as you follow your dentist’s instructions, brush twice, and floss once each day, eat tooth and gum healthy foods and schedule regular checkups with your dentist.

However, if your gum disease has advanced to the more serious periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend Scaling and root planing. If it is past the point of no return, and yes, some types of periodontitis are irreversible, then he or she may refer you to a gum specialist or a periodontist who can determine what steps need to be taken to get your gums healthy again

Scaling and root planing is the most conservative and most common type of periodontal disease treatment.

Scaling is used to remove the tartar or calculus and plaque that are attached to the surfaces of your tooth. Scaling targets the hard to reach areas below your gum line and along the roots of your teeth.

Plaque is loaded with bacteria and will stick to your teeth. Over time, that plaque will harden turning into tartar. Plaque is likely to stick to the rough surfaces on your teeth. Because of this, your dentist will use root planing to remove any of the calculus that is still on your teeth while smoothing out the irregular spots on the surfaces of your teeth.

Bacteria will eventually cause periodontitis as tartar and plaque give teeth an irregular surface that makes it easy for bacteria to hide and attach itself. Scaling and root planing will remove the tartar and plaque giving your gums a chance to heal. As long as you practice good oral health habits, you may not need another scaling and root planing. If you are in the early stages of gum disease, this maybe all that you need for treatment, however, more advanced gum disease may require more invasive procedures such as surgery.

If you would like more information regarding a professional deep teeth cleaning, or scaling and root planing, schedule an appointment with your dentist today who can determine what comes next if you are suffering from gingivitis or gum disease. Call and schedule an appointment today. 

Skipping the Dentist Can be bad for your Wallet

If you have been avoiding a much-needed dental checkup because you are afraid of what might be found, call, or click now. Avoiding the dentist is only going to make things worse, especially if you already suspect that you are having issues with your teeth and gums.

Skipping your twice-yearly dental checkups is a bad idea, even if you practice good oral hygiene. You may have only had a small cavity when you started to feel that twinge of pain after you took a sip of your morning coffee, but if you left it too long, you may be scheduling an appointment for root canal therapy. Leaving tooth decay to do its own thing isn’t the only problem you may be suffering from if you do not see your dentist on a regular basis.

Without regular cleanings with your dentist or dental hygienist, plaque may begin to form in between your teeth and gums. Leftover food can quickly convert to bacteria, which will destroy the enamel on your teeth. If you do not have your dentist clean your teeth, you may need a more advanced treatment such as a deep cleaning.

During a deep cleaning your dentist will use special instruments for Root Scaling and Planing to scrape and smooth the roots of your teeth tooth to get rid of plaque and tartar. Tartar is that hard substance caused by food particles and plaque that only a dentist can remove.

Your twice-yearly dental checkup should also include an oral cancer screening. Early detection is the key when it comes to throat, mouth, and lip and tongue cancer. Ask your dentist if a velscope is used to detect cancers that are invisible to the naked eye.

Keep your mouth healthy and schedule a thorough dental checkup with your dentist today. Waiting until something really hurts is painful for both your tooth and your wallet.

Can Gum Disease affect Cognitive Function?

Bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. Gingivitis, and the more severe periodontal disease should be taken care of immediately, otherwise you may eventually lose your teeth. However, what is even more shocking is that gum disease and tooth loss could also cause a decline in thinking skills, especially among people over the age of 50.  

Researchers are investigating whether people who have poor dental health also suffer from poor cognitive functions, which technically mean people who have gum disease also have problems with managing numbers, words, and memory.

Recent research indicates that that every person, whether male or female, who had a tooth removed or had lost a tooth, saw a loss in cognitive function. In fact, people who had lost all of their teeth had quite poor cognition compared with those who had more. The study also found poor cognitive behaviors in people who suffered from severe gum disease, or periodontitis.

Conducted in 1996 and lasting until 1998, the study consisted of data that was gathered from people who took part in memory and thinking skills tests. The 6,000 participants were both men and women between the ages of 45 and 64. Thirteen percent of those who took part in the study had lost their natural teeth with about a fifth of the participants having less than 20 teeth remaining. About 12 percent of the participants had deep gum pockets and serious bleeding gum issues.

What the researchers discovered was that the scores on thinking and memory tests, including number skills, word fluency and word recall, was lower in people who didn’t have teeth. People who had better oral health and more teeth had better test scores than those with severe gum disease as well.

Some researchers believe that poor dental health may reflect poor eating habits. People with tooth and gum problems may not be able to eat certain, “Brain foods,” which could contribute to poor cognitive functions. Researchers agree that it could be a contributing factor, but so could inflammation from gum disease. Inflammation, regardless of where it is located in the system can affect cognition.

So what’s the bottom line? Good oral health habits just may help you think better and remember where you put your keys.

If you would like more information regarding oral hygiene, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Good Oral Hygiene can Prevent Disease

Most people are aware that poor oral hygiene can lead to dental caries and gum disease, but what most don’t know about is the mouth and body connection. Not practicing good oral hygiene causes more than bad breath and can lead to some serious health issues.

According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers from NYU, or the New York University, found a direct link between Alzheimer’s disease and gum inflammation. Although there were only 152 participants in the study that took place in a 20-year period in Denmark, it was discovered that low cognitive function was related to people who suffered from gum inflammation. The bacterium, porphyromonas gingivalis, was present in those who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, but not in those who didn’t. In a recent study, it was also discovered that gum disease bacteria could move from the gums to the brain either from the nerves that connect from the roots of the teeth to the brain or through the blood. In other words, if you have gums that bleed, the bacteria will enter your blood stream every time you brush, floss or eat.  

Pancreatic cancer has also being linked to periodontal disease thanks to a study conducted at Harvard. What the health researchers discovered was that men, who had recent tooth loss, were more susceptible to pancreatic cancer. It was also suggested that there is a direct link between carcinogens caused by gum disease and pancreatic cancer.  Although this theory is still being researched, it is just another reason to practice good oral hygiene that includes regular checkups with your dentist.

Your mouth is loaded with bacteria, which could lead to heart disease. People who do not brush and floss regularly could be at risk of heart disease. Because the bacteria from your mouth can enter your bloodstream, it can interrupt the blood flow to your heart increasing your risk of blood clots and heart attacks.

Other health conditions that can occur because of poor oral hygiene include endocarditis, an infection of your hearts inner lining, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and HIV/AIDS. Women who are pregnant and suffer from gum disease are also more likely to give birth prematurely or have low weight babies.

The best way to have a healthy mouth and body connection is to practice good oral hygiene habits that include brushing twice and flossing once each day, eating a healthy diet and seeing your dentist at least twice a year. Schedule your dental appointment today.

Oral Health Problems in Women

Women are more apt to have oral health problems than men thanks to the hormonal changes that occur during puberty, menstruation, birth control use, menopause, and post menopause.

Hormones not only affect the blood supply in your gum tissue, but according to the American Dental Association can also be responsible for an increase in toxins and plaque buildup. Because of hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life gingivitis and periodontal disease is more likely to develop.

When puberty begins, the production progesterone and estrogen will increase the supply of blood to the gums. This changes the way your gum tissue will react to bacteria and plaque. During puberty, gums will most likely bleed while brushing and flossing and become tender, red, and swollen.

During menstruation, your progesterone will increase causing oral changes in some women that can include swollen salivary glands, bright red and swollen gums, bleeding gums, and canker sores. Some women can also develop menstruation gingivitis a day or so before the beginning of a period. This will usually clear up shortly after menstruation has begun.

If you take birth control pills with progesterone, the hormone levels in your body will increase causing enflamed gum tissue. This occurs because of your body’s reaction to the toxins and bacteria that is produced from plaque. Make sure that you tell your dentist if you are taking oral contraceptives.

During puberty, you will have an increased level of progesterone and estrogen. The development of sex hormones can cause an increase of blood circulation to your gums. This may result in gum sensitivity increasing your chances of gum irritation from plaque and food particles. During puberty, your gums may feel tender, turn red or become swollen.

If you become pregnant, your hormone levels will alter considerably. Again, an increased level of progesterone, along with other hormonal changes can make you more susceptible to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Known as pregnancy gingivitis, it can occur from the second to the eighth month of pregnancy. If you are expected, it is recommended that you schedule additional professional cleanings with your dentist during the second or early third trimester of your pregnancy in order to help reduce your chances of gum disease.

If you are going through menopause or post menopause, you may experience mouth discomfort. These mouth changes may also include pain and burning in your gum tissue and dry mouth. Menopause and post menopause can also alter the taste in your mouth making things taste especially sour, peppery, or salty.

For more information regarding women’s oral health, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Gum Disease Can Be Reversed with Good Oral Hygiene

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

According to Web MD, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and affects billions of people all over the United States and around the world.

Gingivitis is the least severe form of gum disease. Gingivitis will cause your gums to bleed, swell, and become red. During this stage, you will have little if any discomfort. Gingivitis is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and is reversible with a deep cleaning, such as Root Planing and Scaling along with good oral hygiene.

Some contributing factors when it comes to gingivitis include smoking, diabetes, genetic predisposition, aging, systemic diseases, poor nutrition and stress. Hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, puberty, HIV infection, substance abuse, and pregnancy can also contribute to Gingivitis.

If left untreated, Gingivitis can advance to the more serious periodontal disease. Also known as periodontitis, it is caused by plaque spreading below your gum line. The toxins that are produced by bacteria will irritate your gums causing the bone and tissues that support your teeth to break down. When the gums become separated from your teeth, pockets will begin to form allowing for infection. According to your dentist, once the disease begins to progress those spaces, or pockets, will get deeper eventually destroying bone and gum tissue.

Your dentist explains that there are several types of periodontal disease with the most common being Aggressive Periodontal Disease, Chronic Periodontitis, Periodontitis manifested by systemic disease and Necrotizing Periodontitis caused by an infection of the periodontal ligament, the alveolar bone and gingival tissues.

Aggressive Periodontal Disease occurs when you are clinically healthy, but have not been practicing good oral hygiene habits including a healthy diet and regular checkups with your dentist.

Chronic Periodontitis is characterized by gap recession of the gingival tissue. Although it can happen at any age, Chronic Periodontitis is most prevalent in adults.

Periodontitis manifested by systemic disease usually starts at an early age. Systemic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory disease, and heart disease have all been associated with Periodontitis manifested by systemic disease.

Lesions that appear because of Necrotizing Periodontitis are usually observed in people who suffer from malnutrition, have an HIV infection or an immunosuppressant.

If you have Gingivitis or Periodontal Disease symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible. Remember, it’s never too late. Gum disease can be reversed as long as you seek professional help.