Blog Updates
Bad Breath
Did you know that there are more than 500 species of microorganisms that have been identified in the mouth?
With all the bacteria in the human mouth, it is no wonder that about one in four people believe they have halitosis. Bad breath originates from certain oral bacteria producing an abundance of volatile sulfur compounds. Bad Breath can be caused by several things including certain foods, periodontal disease, rotten teeth, dry mouth, tobacco use, or a medical disorder.
Here are some breath freshening tips:
~First, determine if you have bad breath. One method is to take a piece of unwaxed, unflavored dental floss and floss between your upper and lower back molars. Or, use a dry cloth and wipe it across the back part of your tongue for about five seconds. Wait about a half a minute and then smell it. Asking a friend or family member works too.
~Mouthwashes, breath sprays and mints mask the problem temporarily. In fact, mouthwashes with alcohol may further the problem over time, they can dry out the mouth. If you have chronic bad breath, you will ant to get to the source of the problem.
~Be aware of foods that trigger bad breath such as garlic, onions, and coffee. Brush your teeth after consuming milk products, fish, meat, and other food products that cause bad breath.
~Keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of fluids, chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugarless candy.
~Floss, and brush your teeth, gums, and tongue daily. Do not forget to clean behind the back teeth in each row.
~Denture wearers need to avoid plaque buildup under the dentures. Thoroughly clean dentures daily and remove dentures at night to avoid bacteria growth. Denture wearers should continue to see Dr. Herman regularly.
~Talk to Dr. Herman or your periodontitis about oral problems that may be the cause. Dr. Herman can also tell you about the latest techniques to treat bad breath.
~If you determine that chronic bad breath is not from an oral source, see your physician.
Fractured and Broken Teeth
During the holidays, fractured and broken teeth are a common dental emergency. Teeth are incredibly strong, however they are still susceptible to fracture and breaking.
There are many ways someone can fracture or break a tooth. For example a broken or weak filling, trauma to the the tooth, or biting down on something hard or sticky.
A fractured tooth is when a tooth is cracked. There are a variety of symptoms ranging from constant pain to pain that comes and goes, to no noticeable pain at all. You could also experience pain with chewing food to sudden or sharp pain when your tooth is exposed to hot or cold temperatures. Cracks can often be repaired with bonding material.
With a broken tooth, it is important to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will be able to examine whether your tooth’s nerve has been compromised. This could lead to the need for a root canal. Your dentist’s top priority is to save your tooth and reduce the chance of having to have a root canal.
Minor chips in the teeth don’t always need to be repaired, unless there is pain or cosmetic issues the patient would like fixed.
Be preventative:
*Protect your teeth while engaging in sports. Wear proper mouth guards, helmet, or other protective gear.
*Have your dentist check old fillings to make sure they support the enamel of the tooth. It is also a great idea to keep up on your annual cleanings and check ups to make sure that you do not have cavities that are weakening your teeth, which can lead to breaking.
*Stay away from eating or biting anything that is hard or too chewy.
No matter how hard we try, teeth can break and experience fractures. If you find yourself or a family member in this situation, please call our office (760) 726-4904.
Gluten Free Halloween Candy
With Halloween right around the corner and the rise of gluten sensitivities, there comes the issue of “Is there Gluten-Free Candy?” The answer is Yes, there are candies that are gluten-free.
Our dental office staff has children with gluten sensitivities, making this an issue that is important to us.
Here is a list of our children’s favorite Gluten Free Candies:
- Life Savers
- M&M’s (Not all varieties)
- Milk Duds
- Now & Laters
- Reeses Pieces
- Skittles
- 3 Musketeers
- Butterfingers
- Dum Dum Lollipops
- Hersey’s Milk Chocolate
- Hot Tamales
- Jolly Ranchers
- Laffy Taffy
- Lemonheads
- Snickers
- Starbursts
- Wonka Fun Dip
- Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
- Haribo
- Gold-Bears (not “juicy” variety)
- Twin Cherries
Whether you have gluten sensitivities or not, when it comes to eating candy on Halloween it is always good to practice good oral hygiene with your children. Our dental office does not endorse eating Halloween Candy but offer these tips for enjoying your Halloween without sacrificing your children’s oral health on Halloween or throughout the year.
1. Talk to Children About Candy and their Teeth.
Halloween is a great opportunity to talk to your children about the effects of candy on their teeth. Teach them that eating too many sweets can lead to cavities.
2. Be Preventative
It is a good idea to drink water while eating sweets to keep sugar from resting on and in between teeth. It is important to brush and floss teeth thoroughly after eating any type of candy. If your children are 7 years old or younger, you may want to help them brush their teeth. Giving your children the opportunity to pick out their favorite toothpaste, toothbrush and floss can help make brushing their teeth a more fun experience.
3. Candies to Avoid
If you or your children are going enjoy candy this Halloween, try to stay away from hard candies that tend to stay in the mouth for long periods of time. These candies lead to high risk of cavities. Stay away from sticky and chewy candies such as gummies, caramels, taffy and other similar types of candy. These types of candy stick to the teeth and are difficult for saliva to break down.
4. Moderation
Remind children they do not have to eat all their Halloween candy in one sitting. It is good to space it out and only consume a small amount of candy at any chosen time. A preferred time should be after a healthy meal.
5. Alternatives
One alternative to Trick Or Treating for candy this Halloween is the Teal Pumpkin Project. The Teal Pumpkin Project promotes non-food treats while raising awareness of food allergies. If you would like to learn more about it, visit the Teal Pumpkin Project page on FoodAllergy.org to read more about it. Another alternative to eating Trick Or Treat candy is donating your candy to local charities.
Dr. Herman’s Dental Office wishes you a safe and cavity free Halloween this year.