“Bad Breath Got You Down?”

Posted by drgracesun on July 5, 2009 under General Dental Knowledge, Healthy Smile, Hygiene, Information | Be the First to Comment

It’s no shocking headline – bad breath is the #1 complaint (and reason of visit) in dental offices across America! 85% of people who suffer from bad breath actually have a medical condition known as halitosis, which is usually caused as a result of bacteria in the mouth. The recent 4th of July holiday is a joyous occasion for BBQers across the country, but it could be a nightmare if you suffer from halitosis! If you think you have chronic bad breath, and nothing seems to be helping, read on for a bit of assistance.

Ancient Japanese scroll painting of a woman with Halitosis, 12th century.

Apart from being severely embarrassing, bad breath can actually impact your personal and professional relationships. No employer wants a smelly employee (especially one that interacts with customers on a regular basis, like salespeople), and no partner or date wants a stinky kisser. Bad breath can even instill psychosis into patients with halitophobia, or a fear of bad breath. We know halitosis can seriously impact lives, and not in a positive way – so what can we do about it?

Certain foods with strong aromas – like onions, garlic, sea foods and refined carbohydrates (pastas, dairy products and cheese) – can cause bad breath, but bad habits like drinking and smoking can as well. Dental conditions like dental caries , periodontal disease and dry mouth can create halitosis. Physical conditions like indigestion, GERD (GastroEsopageal Reflux Disease), Asthma and Diabetes can also lead to haliatosis. Treatment for halitosis on the physical end is getting to the root of the problem: eliminating the food debris and bacterial factors in the oral cavity (managing the physical illness). Regarding diet and habits, my professional recommendation would be (of course) to stop smoking and drinking! Control the intake of foods / herbs that can cause smelly breath. Consume greens like celery and parsley, drink plenty water and (at the very least) brush and floss your teeth after every meal. If you eat a lot of garlic or fish, even after brushing and flossing a bad smell can linger in the mouth for a long period of time. Over-the-counter mouth washes and breath fresheners can only temporarily mask over halitosis – they will often times not rid the mouth of foul odors.

Bad breath is a social embarrassment, and is also a sign of having poor hygiene or health problems. We must all be aware of the condition our body is in. Maintaining the self is infinitely beneficial, and health professionals are always ready to provide advice to assist you in reaching our goal: healthy and happy living.

“Is Flossing Important?”

Posted by drgracesun on June 25, 2009 under Dental Products, General Dental Knowledge, Gum Disease and Treatment, Healthy Smile, Hygiene, Information | 2 Comments to Read

“Only floss the teeth you want to keep!” It’s a funny punch line, emphasizing the importance of flossing, but it’s true. Flossing your teeth after meals (and twice daily) is just as important as brushing to keep your mouth clean, healthy and fresh.

Flossing is very efficient in removing plaque and debris that accumulates between the teeth and underneath portions of the gum pocket. This should be an essential part of your daily oral cleaning process. When plaque (a sticky bacterial substance that accumulates on curved tooth surfaces and crevices) is removed, dental diseases can be prevented, along with gum problem and bad breath (which require both brushing and flossing to prevent). If one fails to keep up their oral hygiene, tooth decay and gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis, respectively) will affect your oral health.

Proper flossing technique is also critical. Begin by taking a piece of floss (around 12-18 inches) and wrapping it around your two index fingers tightly, with plenty of slack on each side. Move the piece of floss between each tooth, wrapping the floss around the curved sides of each tooth in a C-shape, sliding up and down several times beneath the surface of the gum. Between each teeth site will be two curved sides for flossing except for the far back molars. Be sure to move the floss down as far as possible, beneath the gum line, as this loosens and breaks up food buildup and initial bacteria buildup.If you have dental bridges or braces, the flossing technique will need to be slightly altered. A dental threader will be carry the floss passing under the jointed teeth contact area, and then the individual can pump up and down in typical flossing strokes. If you notice some bleeding, it is a sign of inflammation of the gum tissue – this usually signals the early stages of gingivitis. Keep up your proper home care routine and the condition will improve. If the condition of bleeding upon brushing and flossing lasts more than two weeks, get some help from your dental professional.

There are several different types of floss (including waxed, unwaxed, and tape floss) – normally, easy gliding thin floss (like Glide) will be a good choice for average dental conditions. Gapped teeth or in areas under a dental bridge should require tape floss. Remember, you can get advice from your dental professional to find out which is the best choice for you.

For people who have arthritis, advanced periodontal conditions or other issues of dexterity, additional dental cleaning home equipment will be very helpful. Electric tooth brushes (like Rotadent and Sonicare) and dental irrigators (like Hydrofloss and Waterpik) are very efficient tools to maintain proper oral hygiene. Remember to brush and floss twice daily (and after meals)! These important habits and routines will keep your teeth healthy, happy and looking fabulous!

“Do I Really Need Toothpaste?”

Posted by drgracesun on under Healthy Smile, Hygiene | Be the First to Comment

Brushing your teeth is probably the most universally recognized and practiced personal hygiene routine. After every meal (and both before and after sleeping), you should brush your teeth to prevent food particles from breeding harmful bacteria in your oral cavity – however, what is the role of toothpaste?

The basic benefit of a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste on your toothbrush when cleaning your teeth is its ability to lubricate – when combined with a proper brushing technique, toothpaste fortifies your brushing routine to remove plaque (built-up bacteria that grows on your teeth causing cavities, and when left long enough, gum disease).

As you probably know, toothpaste contains fluoride, which when applied to the outer enamel layer of a tooth makes the entire surface structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, tooth strength and rigidity, which aides in preventing cavity formation. Fluoride can even repair early decay before damage can be seen! I have previously written about the possible dangers of fluoride, but if toothpaste is not swallowed (and application is strictly monitored by parents of children), fluoride can be a very helpful addition to toothpaste, making the use of toothpaste when brushing one’s teeth quite beneficial.

Finally, toothpaste does incorporate several special ingredients to provide different side-benefits: triclosan fights against plaque forming microbes, pyrophosphate is a tartar control agent, potassium nitrate is a desensitizer, carbamide peroxide is a bleaching agent, baking soda is a mild abrasives and PH neutralizer and sodium lauryl sulfate is detergent to carry away debris. Ask your dental professional if your dental condition requires special toothpaste in order to receive the maximum benefits of a typical tooth brushing routine. In general, the inactive ingredients in toothpaste like thickeners and water softeners provide the right consistency, moisture, flavor and sweetness for a more pleasurable experience.

If you are getting lip sores, check to see whether the toothpaste you use has lauryl sulfates, which can be irritating to certain tissues. All-natural  herbal toothpastes like Tooth & Gum Paste exist which are in fact antibacterial but contain no artificial chemicals.

So remember, choose your favorite toothpastes and use them! You can even have several different toothpastes and tooth-brushes to make your tooth brushing routine more interesting! A proper brushing (and flossing) technique will keep out the stains, lower the risk of dental diseases, help freshen breath and fight mild halitosis. Be confident with your smile, brush and floss!

“Level 6 Pandemic?”

Posted by drgracesun on June 14, 2009 under Current News Events, Hygiene, Information | Be the First to Comment

I canceled the trip to China – it’s just not worth the risk of being quarantined for a week! Swine Flu, also known as H1N1 Influenza, has been gaining interest in the news and at health organizations worldwide, and not for bad reason – at the moment, it is the Chinese government’s nightmare that an outsider will bring in swine flu,  and that the pandemic will spread just as quickly as bird flu in densely populated China. The World Health Organization (WHO) on May 11 upgraded H1N1 to a “level 6 pandemic,” the highest grade of pandemic and the first global flu epidemic in 41 years.

Countries affected by H1N1 influenza

Swine Flu is in fact a mutated form of the common flu, which behaves like a seasonal influenza- H1N1 influenza is made up of genetic elements of four rather common flu virus. H1N1 is a type A virus, the most virulent human pathogens known that cause the most severe disease among humans. Type A viruses are more prone to widespread outbreak (as H1N1 has spread to 74 countries now). It is no surprise that airports and hospitals around the world have set up screening areas and quarantine rooms for suspected influenza carriers, so be prepared if you are planning on traveling, especially to a densely populated country. It is natural that lesser developed, densely populated countries must take flu pandemics seriously as they often lack the technology, medical manpower and/or resources necessary to keep a potentially large outbreak under control.

Swine Flu spreads faster but is less fatal than Bird Flu.

Although H1N1 influenza is currently present and spreading in both pigs and humans, and can spread quickly and silently from human-to-human, it is not transferable by eating cooked pork – don’t panic over that BLT! The CDC advises using regular soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleanser frequently to clean your hands before touching your facial features (like the eyes, nose or mouth) to lower the risk of catching the flu.

“Normally the influenza virus is spread from person to person through droplets in the air — from a person with a cough for example,” said Dr. David Satcher, a professor at the Morehouse School of Medicine and former U.S. Surgeon General. Droplets in the air can be inhaled by another person, which is probably the most common way a virus spreads.

H1N1 Swine Influenza

Also posing a risk, he said, are items that have recently touched or handled by someone infected with the flu – a fork or a doorknob, for example. Some experts endorse occasionally disinfecting household surfaces and appliances with a diluted chlorine bleach solution.  You should also disinfected your toothbrushes by soaking them in an OTC strength hydrogen peroxide ( 3% H2O2) for 10 minutes – or get new tooth brushes.
Once infected with the flu, it’s difficult to know what actual strain of influenza you may have. H1N1 flu symptoms are similar to the common flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. It can be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and influenza in the early stages of  infection, so if you experience any of these symptoms for a prolonged period, consider a visit to your primary health care physician for a check-up.