Dental Hygiene To Prevent Gum Bleeding

Painful or bleeding gums can have many causes but usually indicate that you already have or are at high risk for developing gum disease. In most cases, plaque at the gum line is causing irritation of the gums. From there, more serious problems can develop.

When plaque is not removed from your teeth it hardens into tartar. Tartar is difficult to impossible to remove at home. When you have plaque and tartar at the gum line it causes inflammation called gingivitis, and from there can progress to periodontitis, a serious gum and jawbone disease.

Good dental hygiene is critical to avoiding bleeding and sore gums, but sometimes it is not enough. Brushing too hard and improper flossing methods can actually create or worsen the problem. Ill-fitting dentures can rub and irritate your gums. Other health issues can also cause your gums to bleed, including:

• Hormonal changes
• Leukemia
• Vitamin K deficiency
• Scurvy
• Blood disorders

If your gums ache or bleed you should talk to your dentist right away. Gum disease is progressive, and once it gets started, no amount of brushing and flossing will turn it around.

In the initial stages, gingivitis, the plaque and tartar can be removed at your dentist’s office during a routine cleaning.

As gum disease progresses, your gums, irritated by the plaque and tartar, begin to pull away from your teeth creating pockets. Bacteria grow in these pockets, preventing your gums from healing, and perpetuating the problem. There is no way for you to clean these pockets in your gums at home. Your dentist, however, can safely remove the bacteria and allow your gums to heal again. Tooth planning is a procedure used to remove the bacteria from between your teeth and gums. If left untreated, gum disease will begin destroying tissue and even your jawbone.

Once the health of your gums has been restored, gum recontouring can be used to restore the beauty of your gums. An uneven gum line can be corrected, and any excess gum tissue can be removed. If you have lost gum tissue due to gum disease, aging, or injury, the missing tissue can be replaced.

Bleeding, painful gums can signify a more serious underlying health problem, and should not be ignored. Your dentist can help you determine if the problem is dental in nature, or if you should seek further medical attention.

Source: Why Do My Gums Hurt and Bleed?

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Dental Health Can Keep Heart Disease Away

Good oral hygiene is important for good general health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to various dental, as well as, medical problems such as gum disease (periodontitis), infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes, oral cancer and more. Regular tooth cleaning and check-ups can help prevent some of these problems and provide you with good oral hygiene as well. Daily brushing and flossing and regular dental check-ups is the best way to prevent gum disease.

Recent studies have found a correlation between heart disease and strokes to gum disease. A professional dental cleaning twice a year will help keep your teeth and gums healthy and could lessen your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Bacterial endocarditis is a common risk associated with gum disease. Bacterial endocarditis is an infection in the lining of the heart or heart valves. The bacteria from infected gums can migrate into the bloodstream and infect the heart.

There are two stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis refers to the early stage of gum disease which can be easily treated if diagnosed early. Gum disease at this stage is often undetected. Periodontitis refers to gum disease in its advance stage, which causes bone loss and is irreversible if left untreated. Studies have shown 80% of the population has some form of gum disease.

Some Symptoms of Gum Disease:

• Frequent bad breath
• Red and swollen gums that bleed easily
• Gums that separate from the teeth
• Loose teeth
• Tooth sensitivity
• Abscessed teeth
• Tooth loss

Source: Teeth Cleaning Helps Prevent Heart Disease

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Modern Technology Instant Orthodontics

In this age of fast food, drive-thru wedding chapels and microwave meals in 90 seconds, it’s no surprise that people want that speed in other areas of their lives. Why not in their orthodontia?

And, thanks to the progressive dental community, you can get a perfect, white smile now! It’s called Instant Orthodontics or a smile makeover and, compared to other treatments such as braces, it is fast.

With braces, you’d have to wait as long as two years while the metal wires on your teeth slowly correct a twisted tooth here, a small gap there. With instant orthodontics, you can have not only a set of straight teeth, but a beautiful white smile, in about two weeks.

It’s really simple, too. A wafer-thin shell known as a porcelain veneer is bonded, using dental adhesive, to the front of the each tooth. When finished, you have a smile that is full of straight, shiny white teeth.

Porcelain veneers can be used to cover up a lot that is wrong with your current smile, such as:

• Chipped or broken teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Stained or discolored teeth
• Fillings that are stained or washed out
• Uneven teeth
• Teeth that are inconsistent in size

Once your dentist determines that porcelain veneers are right for you, an impression of your bite will be taken so the veneers can be made in the correct size and shape for you. Temporary veneers are placed while the permanent set is created. Once they are ready, the dentist will use the dental bonding adhesive to permanently attach the veneers to your existing teeth.

The next step is the big reveal. You get to see yourself, and your beautiful smile, for the first time. There you have it – a perfect, white smile now!

You also get a renewed sense of self-confidence and will find yourself smiling more often. Not a bad side effect, right? See – you’re smiling!

Source: I Want a Perfect, White Smile and I Want it Now!

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Sugar Substitute Reduces Risk for Dental Cavities

Swedish researchers completed a study that found Xylitol, which is a sugar substitute has the ability to reduce bacteria that leads to dental cavities. In order to prevent cavities between teeth a relatively high intake would need to be available in order to reduce the acid production between the teeth. Pernilla Lif Holgerson will present her study at the at Umeå University in Sweden on February 23rd.

Xylitol in previous studies have shown reduction in cavities. You can purchase special chewing gum and candy with Xylitol as an ingredient. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol made sugar xylose also refered to as wood sugar. Xylitol is found naturally in fruits and berries such as pears and strawberries.

A series of studies of children and adolescents measured saliva samples for plaque. The studies found that 3.4 grams of xylitol consistently changed the bacteria levels. I did not however, reduce the amount of lactic acid in plaque. Another study found that a single higher dose of xylitol was able to reduce the acidity in the plaque in between the teeth.

In one study they gave 128 children ranging in age from 7 – 12 chewing gum with xylitol. They were instructed to chew a new stick of this xylitol chewing gum three times a day for a total daily dosage of 6.0 grams in one day. Initially, the amount of plaque and the production of lactic acid was reduced dramatically during the trial period. Over a four week time period, the cavity causing bacteria went down by around one-third. Six months later the values returned to the original levels. There were no side-effects reported from the xylitol.

The study concludes that xylitol can be beneficial and recommends the following:

If a person is at high risk for tooth decay they should supplement with a daily intake of xylitol.

Choose xylitol products that stimulate saliva secretion. They recommend xylitol chewing gum as the best method to introduce xyitol into the mouth.

You would need 6 grams of xylitol per day to cancel the production of acid which in turn will reduce the risk of cavities.

For optimal results, deliver the xylitol three times a day, instead of at one sitting.

The chewing gum or xylitol product should contain as much xylitol as possible and not be mixed with other sugars.

Xylitol is available as a sugar substitute sweetener at health and nutrition stores, as well as online. Xylitol chewing gum is available mostly online at this time. In the future, you might see it at health and nutrition stores.

Source: Xylitol Sugar Substitute Reduces Risk for Dental Cavities in Children

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Advanced Tooth Decay Detection Technology

We would all like to stop tooth decay before it affects the whiteness of our smile, and especially before it leads to painful cavities that may have to be drilled out. The problem is that dentists are only human and can only see with human eyes. Their eyes are trained, but by the time a dentist can see caries (tooth decay), so can anyone else, and by the time they can see the caries, the damage has already been done. Even worse, as surface dental health has improved through the fluoridation of water, caries has begun to appear below the surface where no one can see it until it is too late.

Until now, the only tool available to dentists to detect sub-surface caries was exploratory drilling. And who wants more drilling, especially in teeth that might be healthy?

But now a new solution is available. DIAGNOdent laser caries detection aid that can “see” safely through the enamel to detect caries that are too small or too deep for dentists using more traditional methods.

DAIAGNOdent is more effective than traditional detection methods

We have all suffered under the dentist’s pick. The grating metal against our enamel, the scraping, the (sometimes painful) probing. No one likes it, but we suffer through it because we assume that it allows the dentist to find all those caries that need to be treated to keep our teeth healthy, bright, and functional. What if you were told that a study showed dentists using the pick were only able to find caries 58% of the time? That means that if it were a test, dentists would get, at best, a D- in finding cavities.

What about x-rays? You remember biting down on that obnoxious plastic film while the dentist puts a led apron on you and then hides in the other room. With all that discomfort and radiation exposure, it must do a better job of finding caries. Yes, but not much. The same study showed that the x-ray bitewing only detected 67% of the caries: a C-.

But don’t you deserve A-level caries detection? Of course. And only one method allows that level of detection: DIAGNOdent. DIAGNOdent has proven 90% effective in finding dental fissures.

DIAGNOdent has none of the drawbacks of traditional methods

Not only is DIAGNOdent more effective than traditional detection methods, but think of all the unpleasantness associated with the dentist that you can do without:
NO scratching or probing with the pick
NO x-ray exposure or uncomfortable bitewing

And most of all:
NO exploratory drilling.

And even without all these painful nuisances, you’ll be getting unprecedented accuracy in the diagnosis of present and possible future caries.

Additional Benefits of DIAGNOdent

In addition to these appreciable benefits over traditional detection methods, DIAGNOdent allows numerous other, previously unanticipated benefits:

• Allows the use of minimally invasive treatments without unnecessary procedures by ensuring an accurate diagnosis of even hidden caries. Ideal for use with air abrasion and micro-rotary treatments.
• Allows dentists to track the development of caries over time to immediately identify problems to possibly isolate and remedy causes.
• Results are completely reproducible and documentable.
• Increased confidence and comfort mean you won’t dread returning to the dentist and can stop any problems before they get out of hand.

Source: Now Lasers Can Detect Invisible Tooth Decay

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Family Dentistry & Regular Dental Checkup

It takes a special kind of dentist to be able to handle the dental care needs of children, teens, adults and seniors, but that is just what family dentists do every day. With all of the hustle and bustle of a busy family’s schedule, having one dentist for the whole family can make life a little easier.

Family Dentistry Services:
Many people use the terms “general dentistry” and “family dentistry” interchangeably. While general and family dentists typically perform the same types of dental procedures, family dentists place more emphasis on helping children, teens, adults and elderly patients feel comfortable and welcome.

Family dentists work to ensure that patients of all ages have healthy teeth and gums. A wide range of services can help to meet this goal, including:

• Check-ups, which encompass teeth cleaning, plaque and tartar removal, examinations to detect dental problems and oral cancer screenings
• Treatment for tooth cavities, incorporating either metal or porcelain fillings
• Treatment and prevention for gum disease, ranging from the early stages (gingivitis) to the more severe form (periodontal disease)
• Root canals to help save infected teeth
• Tooth extractions if the tooth is too infected or decayed to save or other oral surgery care
• Options to replace missing teeth or strengthen decayed or damaged teeth, including dental bridges, crowns and implants
• Dental sealants to help protect teeth from cavity development

Not all family dentists are specially trained to provide the same services. When choosing a family dentist, it is advisable to check the dentist’s credentials, training and expertise to ensure that all, or most, of your family’s dental needs can be met by one individual.

Oral Hygiene and Family Dentists:
It is especially important for parents to be a positive role model for children when it comes to dental hygiene. Family dentists educate parents on the proper ways to brush, floss and maintain a healthy lifestyle so the parents can pass this information on to their children.

Family dentist offices are usually geared toward making dental health information fun for children and teens, and often these offices have entertaining toys, movies or music to make the entire dental visit enjoyable for kids.

Recommended Timeframe for Dental Visits:
It is recommended that people visit the dentist every six months for a dental check-up. This timeframe between visits is usually covered by dental insurance carriers to encourage preventative dental care. The American Dental Association also recommends that parents bring a child in for his or her first dental visit after the first tooth has erupted or by the child’s first birthday. This first visit will help the dentist evaluate the child’s teeth and become familiar with the child early on so the dentist can follow his or her dental progression.

Some family dentists wait until the child has turned 3 years of age before beginning to clean and X-ray the teeth.

Sedation and Family Dentistry:
Regardless of how fun the dentist’s office is, many people, adults and children alike, are simply too afraid to go through with dental visits. In these cases, sedation dentistry is an option that is provided by many family dentists. Sedation in a dentist office setting can take various forms, including:

• Oral taken before the appointment, like Valium
• Inhalation given during the appointment, like nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
• Intravenous administered during the appointment by an anesthesiologist

Source: Family Dentistry

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Tips To Maintain Dental Implants

Dental implants are an ideal solution if you are missing a tooth. Unlike dentures and partial dentures, dental implants look and function just like you normal teeth. They are anchored directly to your jawbone, just like natural teeth, and must be cared for like natural teeth. These restorations need to be cleaned regularly, as their long-term success depends on how well you maintain your dental implants.

Proper Care:
Because dental visits are essential, you should work with your implant dentist to develop a regular visitation program to meet your individual needs and to ensure the optimum health of your restorations and surrounding natural teeth.

If your gums and teeth are not properly cleaned and flossed, periodontal disease can develop. If this condition is left alone, the result can be weakened supporting structures and tooth loss in addition to the loss of your dental implants.

Here are some tips to maintain the health of your dental restorations:

• At-home care: Brushing and flossing daily is essential so that your dental implants will remain healthy. There are a variety of supplemental products that allow you to clean your implants properly.
• Toothbrush: It may be in your best interest to get an electric tooth brush for a more complete cleaning. A toothbrush with a bent handle to access those hard-to-reach places can also give you a more thorough cleaning.
• Brushing technique: If you have a removable prosthesis that attaches to your dental implant, once your remove the prosthesis, be sure to brush around your gums and implant and floss thoroughly. If you have a fixed prosthesis, brush the restoration as you would your normal teeth and floss from the front, sides and back. Whether you use a regular bristle brush or an electric toothbrush, you should practice your brushing techniques with your dentist, to ensure that you are cleaning the implant area correctly.
• Floss threaders: It is also a good idea to pick up some floss threaders. These are very helpful because they allow you to reach around your implants and floss in hard-to-reach areas. Special types of floss are also available, such as floss with a foam coating that cleans around your gums, implants and prosthetic teeth. Be sure to discuss these options with your dentist.
• Additional brushes: Small dental brushes known as "proxy brushes," or interdental brushes are designed to clean in between your teeth and dental implants. While it is not meant to replace your other toothbrush or your floss, the special brush can help clean areas that the other tools may miss.
• Toothpaste: Because toothpastes are designed for natural teeth, they contain fluoride. While this ingredient will not harm your implants, you should be sure to read all ingredients carefully. Toothpastes that contain baking soda or abrasive stain removers and those designed for smokers can remove the glaze on porcelain restorations.
• Mouthwash: Many mouth rinses on the market are designed to give you a fresh- breath feeling. However, alcohol is used to create this and can lead to dry mouth. If you have the tendency toward a dry mouth, you should use an alcohol-free mouth rinse.
• Regular dental visits: You should have your teeth professionally cleaned at least every six months. But after having dental implants placed, it may be a good idea to see your dentist every three months to thoroughly clean your implants and ensure that there are not any problems. Your specific dental visit program will be discussed and determined after your implants are placed.

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About Different Types of Teeth Fillings

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Main differences between metal, composite and porcelain fillings.

Fillings are materials placed in tooth cavities to stop additional damage and avoid having the tooth extracted. The decayed tissue is removed, along with bacteria and their toxic debris, and the filling material replaces it.

Metal Fillings:
Metal fillings are traditional and are made from a mix of about 50% mercury, with smaller proportions of silver, copper, tin and zinc. This mix of metals is packed tightly into the cavity and can last for a long time. Durability and strength are the main advantages.

One disadvantage is that they are highly visible, being dark gray and totally unlike tooth enamel. Many people consider them unsightly. Another disadvantage is that they weaken teeth in several ways:

• By exerting outward pressure on the tooth’s periphery, eventually causing fractures
• By expanding and contracting in response to hot and cold substances put into the mouth, and thus stressing the tooth tissue around them. This also contributes to eventual fractures

Composite Fillings:
Composite fillings are one of the offerings of modern cosmetic dentists. They are done with dental composite, also called dental bonding, white composite, and dental resin. This is a soft, pliable material that comes in a range of white shades. Your cosmetic dentist will choose a shade to match your natural teeth. It is placed directly into the cleaned-out cavity and then hardened with a curing light. This bonds it to the surrounding tooth structure, and makes it a part of the tooth.

Advantages of composite fillings:

• Aesthetically pleasing tooth-coloured appearance
• Done in one visit
• No sensitivity to hot and cold substances
• Strengthen the tooth by holding it together

Disadvantages of composite fillings:

• May not last as long as metal or porcelain fillings
• Susceptible to discolouration over time
• The tooth needs to be isolated from saliva when the bonding material is placed, but usually this is managed easily with wads of cotton or a rubber covering

Porcelain Fillings:
Porcelain fillings are another offering of cosmetic dentistry, and a very popular one. They are called indirect restorations because they are custom-made in a dental lab and then cemented to the tooth, rather than being applied directly to the tooth. They are called porcelain inlays and onlays. Porcelain inlays are smaller and sit within the cusps. Onlays extend over one or more cusps. Because they are made in a lab from impressions of your teeth, they fit precisely into the cavity.

Advantages of porcelain fillings are:

• Tooth-coloured ceramic material with a glossy surface like enamel
• Invisible as fillings, unlike metal fillings
• The strengthen the tooth, as they’re bonded to it, unlike metal fillings
• Stain resistant compared to composite fillings
• More durable and strong than composite fillings

There are no disadvantages of porcelain inlays and onlays except that they require two visits. They give you a strong tooth surface, they last as long as metal fillings and they look far nicer.

Source: What’s the Difference between Metal, Composite, and Porcelain Fillings?

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Bad Breath Causes & Treatment

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Bad breath is a common health problem which greatly affects the day to day activities of so many people. The offensive odor from the mouth is unpleasant to those who come in close contact with bad breathers.

The problem will be doubled by psychological trauma leading to depression. The sufferers from this problem will be isolated from the society. This can even lead to marital disharmony.

Literally speaking all human beings are bad breathers. Oral cavity contains millions of anaerobic bacteria like fusobacterium and actinomyces which acts on the protein of food materials and putrefies them. This process results in the formation of offensive gases like hydrogen sulphide, methyl mescaptan, cadaverin, skatol causing bad odor. Most of us control this by regular brushing, tongue cleaning and gargling. Even after maintaining cleanliness in the mouth some individuals suffer from offensive smell due to various causes which has to be diagnosed and treated properly.

Here are the most common causes of bad breath.

1. Poor oral hygiene:
If oral hygiene is not maintained properly the mouth becomes the seat for millions of bacteria which produce offensive gases by degrading the food debris. Bad breath is severe in those who do not brush their teeth regularly and clean their mouth after every food. Snacks taken in-between meals can also produce bad breath because of improper cleaning.
Bad breath is common in almost all people in the morning on waking. During sleep there is less production of saliva .Saliva has got some antibacterial properties which help to keep the mouth clean. Saliva contains oxygen molecules which are needed to make oral cavity aerobic. So the reduction in it's quantity during sleep makes a favorable condition for anaerobic bacteria.

2. Food habits:
The main cause of bad smell is due to degradation of protein by the bacteria and hence all food products rich in protein favor bad breath. Meat, fish, milk products, eggs, cakes, nuts, pear can cause bad breath. Some food articles can produce particular type of smell which may be unpleasant. Raw onion can produce typical bad smell. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a raw onion a day keeps everybody away. Eating groundnuts can also produce bad smell. However if proper cleaning is done smell can be reduced irrespective of the nature of food. Irregularity in timing of food can also produce bad breath. Small food articles taken in between the meals can also produce bad smell.

3. Biofilm:
There is formation of a thin sticky coating called biofilm on the tongue and oral mucosa. This coating is thick on the posterior aspect of the tongue where millions of gram negative bacteria are seen .The thick coating on the tongue is always associated with bad breath. Even a thin biofilm can make anaerobic condition favorable for bacterial proliferation.

4. Dental caries:
This is a destructive process causing decalcification with destruction of enamel and dentine resulting in cavitisation of the tooth. These are produced mainly by the lactobacilli. Food particles are deposited inside these cavities and are putrefied by the anaerobic bacteria producing bad smell. Normal brushing will not remove the food debris easily and hence they are putrefied completely. Caries are common in schoolgoing children and in those who do not maintain proper oral hygiene .Calcium and vitamin deficiency can also predispose caries.

5. Gingivitis:
Gum is a mucus membrane with supporting connective tissue covering the tooth bearing borders of the jaw .The main function of gum is protection .Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gum .Due to various causes gum tissue get infected resulting in swelling, pain and discharge. If the condition becomes worse the infection spread towards periodontal area leading to continuous discharge called pyorrhea. Some times the infection goes deep producing alveolar abscess with discharge of pus. Infection can even reach the bone causing osteomyelitis. All these conditions can produce offensive smell.

6. Gum retraction:
When the gums retract from the teeth a gap is developed which will lodge food particles and cause bad breath.

7. Dental plaques and tartar deposits:
Plaques and tartar is deposited mainly in the gaps between the teeth and gum. This will provide shelter for the food debris and bacteria causing bad breath.

8. Ulcerative lesions and coatings:
Almost all ulcerative lesions of the mouth are associated with bad breath. These lesions may be caused by bacteria, viruses, food allergies or due to autoimmune disorders. Apthous ulcer is the commonest among ulcerative lesions. Others are herpes, fungal infections, vincents angina, infectious mononucleosis, scarlet fever, diphtheria, drug reactions. Cancerous ulcers produce severe bad breath. All fungal infections produce white coating (candidiasis.. Leucoplakia is a white thick patch on the mucus membrane of the mouth and tongue. It is considered as a precancerous condition. Offensive breath is associated with these conditions.

9. Diseases of the salivary glands:
Saliva is very useful to supply oxygen to all parts of the oral cavity. Even a thin film of coating called biofilm can provide an anaerobic condition in the mouth. Saliva can wet these layers and make an aerobic condition which is unfavorable for the bacteria .Any condition which reduces the production of saliva can increase bacterial activity. Some times the salivary duct is obstructed by stones or tumors. Cancer of the salivary gland is associated with offensive odor. In suppurative parotitis purulant discharge into the mouth causes bad breath.

10. Tonsillitis:
Tonsils are a pair of lymphoid tissue situated in the lateral wall of oropharynx. Inflammation of the tonsil is called tonsillitis. Bad breath is seen in both acute and chronic tonsillitis. Quinsy or peritonsillar abscess can also produce bad breath.

11. Tonsillar plaques and tonsillar fluid:
If bad breath persists even after maintaining proper oral hygiene there is possibility of this condition. Serous fluid secreted from the folds of tonsil is very offensive. Some patients complain that they hawk some cheesy materials from the throat, which are very offensive in nature. These are formed inside the tonsillar crypts which contain thousands of bacteria. In such conditions tonsillectomy gives noticeable relief from bad breath.

12. Pharyngitis and pharyngeal abscess:
Pharynx is a fibro muscular tube which forms the upper part of the digestive and respiratory tract. Inflammation of the pharynx is called pharyngitis, caused mainly by bacteria and viruses. Bad breath is present in pharyngitis along with other signs like cough and throat irritation. Abscesses in the wall of pharynx can also produce offensive discharge of pus in to the throat.

13. Dentures:
Denture users may complain about bad smell due to lodgment of small food debris in between. Proper brushing may not be possible in denture users especially fixed dentures.

14. Tobacco:
Tobacco chewing is associated with bad breath. The smell of tobacco itself is unpleasant for others. Tobacco can irritate the mucus membrane and cause ulcers and coatings. Gingivitis and pyorrhea are common in tobacco chewers. Tartar is deposited on the teeth mainly near the gums. Tobacco chewers get gastric acidity with eructations. All these cause offensive smell.

15. Smoking:
Smokers always have bad smell. It can also produce lesions in the mouth and lungs causing bad breath. Smoking increases carbon dioxide in the oral cavity and reduces oxygen level, causing a favorable condition for bacteria. Smoking reduces appetite and thirst hence acid peptic disease is common in chain smokers.

16. Lesions in the nose and ear:
Bad breath is occasionally seen in sinusitis (infection of para nasal sinuses.. In case of post nasal dripping bad breath is common due to the presence of protein in the discharges. These proteins are degraded by the bacteria. Infection in the middle ear with discharge of pus in to the throat through the Eustachian tube (passage from middle ear to the throat. can also cause offensive odor. Chronic rhinitis (infection of mucus membrane of nose. and foreign bodies in the nose can also produce bad smell in the expired air.

17. Diabetes mellitus:
Mostly all diabetic patients suffer from bad breath. Coated tongue, ulcers and coatings in the mouth, increased sugar level in tissues are responsible for halitosis. Bacterial growth in diabetic patient is very faster than non diabetic individuals.

18. Fevers:
Bad breath is common in almost all fevers. Even an acute fever can produce bad breath. Severe bad breath is seen in typhoid .Other infectious diseases like Tuberculosis, AIDS produce bad smell.

19. Fasting and dehydration:
Dry mouth favors bacterial activity. So any condition which produces dryness in the mouth makes the breath offensive. Even though the food particles are known to produce bad breath, fasting can also produce the same. Production of saliva is also reduced during fasting. Chewing and swallowing also helps to keep the mouth clean.

20. Bedridden patients:
Bedridden patients suffer from offensive breath due to thick coating on the tongue. Water intake is also limited in these patients. Regurgitation of food aggravates the condition. Since they talk less aeration in the oral cavity is reduced which favors anaerobic bacteria to become active.

21. Diseases of stomach and esophagus:
Eructation of gas and food produce unpleasant smell. Abnormality in the function of lower sphincter can allow the food to regurgitate upwards causing bad breath. Bad breath is also common in gastritis, gastric ulcer and cancer of stomach.

22. Intestinal diseases:
Bad breath is common in patients suffering from ulcerative lesions of intestine like ulcerative colitis. Other diseases are malabsorption syndrome intestinal tuberculosis, peritonitis.

23. Diseases of lungs:
Lung diseases like pneumonia, lung abscess, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, lung cancer can produce bad odor during expiration.

24. Liver disorders:
Liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis, can cause halitosis. Gall bladder diseases with vomiting also causes unpleasant odor.

25. Psychiatric patients:
Bad breath is common in psychotic patients due to poor hygiene, irregular food habits, less water intake and.

26. Somatisation disorder:
This is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of a physical symptom that suggest a medical illness .These patients come with physical complaints like pain, nausea difficult respiration, bad smell. This condition is diagnosed after detailed examination of the patient with all investigations. Since this is a psychiatric disorder it has to be managed with a psychological approach.

Source: The most common Causes of Bad Breath

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Reality & Facts About Teeth Whitening Products

Latest Dental News: Why is it safer and important to have your teeth whitened by a dentist instead of hairdresser?

You’ve seen the ads on TV and the internet for tooth-whitening products that promise a brighter, more beautiful smile. But just how effective are tooth whitening products?

How tooth whitening products work:

Tooth whiteners are products that make teeth appear whiter. There are two general classes of tooth whitening products:

• Bleaching products containing chemicals like peroxides that can remove both surface and deep stains and can change a tooth’s natural color.
• Non-bleaching products don’t contain bleach but do contain ingredients that act physically or chemically to remove stains on the surface of teeth.

Carbamide peroxide-containing whiteners:
Tooth-whitening products approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) include those with 10 percent carbamide peroxide. In water, this chemical breaks down to product hydrogen peroxide and urea. It’s the hydrogen peroxide that will bleach your teeth. Products with 10 percent carbamide peroxide may also include other ingredients like glycerin and flavoring agents. Clinical studies indicate that at a neutral pH, products containing 10 percent carbamide peroxide are safe and effective. Some side effects of these products include:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Occasional irritation of the inside cheeks and gums

Hydrogen peroxide-containing whiteners:
Some tooth whitening products are gels containing 15-35 percent hydrogen peroxide. The tooth whitening effects of these products can be enhanced using a light or laser system to obtain more immediate results. The gum tissues should be protected with a neutral gel or shield prior to using these products.

Side effects can include:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Occasional irritation of the inside of the mouth and gums
• Tooth damage (rarely)

Tray-based bleaching systems versus gels:
Peroxide-containing products are available as tray-based systems or as gels that can be applied using a brush or painted on. In tray-based systems, the tooth whitening gel is placed in a tray that fits over your teeth. While you wear the tray (for example, overnight), your teeth are bleached. Over-the-counter products provide one-sized-fits all trays that can cause non-uniform bleaching and possible irritation. A dentist can provide you with a custom-fitted tray for better results.

Over-the-counter paints and gels also can be applied non-uniformly (particularly when brushed or painted on). There may be more potential for irritation of the gums and inside of the mouth with these products, since over-the-counter tooth whitening products don’t tend to come with shields to protect these sensitive areas.

Whitening strips:
Whitening strips typically contain a thin coating of a peroxide gel. Whitening strips are usually applied for 30 minutes twice a day for about two weeks. Although they can produce visible whitening in a few days, strips whiten the surface of teeth and not the enamel between teeth, which can result in uneven whitening.

Whitening toothpastes:
Whitening toothpastes are not bleaching products. Those that bear the ADA Seal of Acceptance remove surface stains by polishing or by using chemicals to bind to the chemicals that cause staining. Whitening toothpastes don’t tend to be as effective as peroxide-containing products, but can be used as maintenance products after a bleaching procedure.

In-office treatment versus over-the-counter tooth whitening
Tooth whitening can be performed in-office by a cosmetic dentist or can be performed at home with an over-the-counter tooth whitening product.

There are advantages to professional treatment, including:

• More immediate results: A cosmetic dentist has access and the skill to use more concentrated bleaching products.
• Greater safety: A cosmetic dentist will be aware of your dental history and will take steps to protect your gums during the tooth whitening process.
• More uniform results: A cosmetic dentist will have the experience to apply a tooth whitening product uniformly for the best results.

Even if you choose an over-the-counter product, a cosmetic dentist will be able to tell you which product is right for you and advise you as to the safest procedures. If you are using a tray-based whitening system, a cosmetic dentist can provide you with a customized bleaching tray so that you can obtain more uniform whitening results.

Source: How Effective Are Tooth Whitening Products?

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No Dental Fear For Anxious Patients & Nervous Patients: Sedation Dentistry

Latest Dental News: Cleveland doctor practices sedation dentistry

Are you afraid of going to the dentist? If so, you are not alone. An estimated one-third of Americans do not go to the dentist because they are afraid of the potential pain and discomfort. This can lead to many problems because cavities, gum disease, and more go undetected and untreated. This can lead to root canals and tooth loss down the road once the pain becomes more than they can bear.

While many dentists claim to “cater to cowards,” even the nicest of dentists can still leave their patients nervous wrecks. Sedation dentistry is a completely different approach to treating patients and their teeth.

Sedation dentistry is used to provide a relaxing and calming experience for the patient. This is achieved by using varying levels of treatment depending on the patient and the procedure. The most common form is nitrous oxide which is administered throughout the procedure through a nasal mask or hood. The patient still knows what is going on around him, but is much calmer and more relaxed. It also serves to numb the gums, which can make injections easier.

Another option is IV sedation, which delivers the medication intravenously for an immediate result. Unlike nitrous oxide, it induces more of a sleep-like consciousness. It is best used when patients are extremely anxious or scared.

For those who do not like needles, a third option is oral conscious sedation. One benefit of this treatment is that patients do not remember the experience, although they are able to move and respond to the dentist throughout.

Because of the serious nature of the medication, people who use any of these treatments during their dental procedure will need to be driven home. The medication does not wear off quickly enough for the patient to have recovered sufficiently to drive.

If you are afraid of the dentist, that is not reason to put off the treatment that you desperately need for proper dental health. Talk to your dentist about whether he or she performs sedation dentistry. If not, you should look into finding someone else in your area that does.

Source: Sedation Dentistry: Solving Dental Care Concerns For Anxious Patients

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Dental Crowns & Materials Used For Crowns

Latest Dental News: How to replace missing teeth – crowns & bridges, dentures and implants?

Has extensive wear and tear damaged your tooth to the point that its functionality is compromised? Than you need to consider a dental crown. A dental crown is essentially a cap placed over your tooth to:

• Prevent further damage
• Serve as a shell for a cracked tooth
• Replace a crown
• Allow a damaged tooth to regain functionality

Do I Need A Dental Crown?
While options such as porcelain veneers are another route you can take to prevent further tooth decay or repair a damaged tooth, if excessive damage has compromised your oral health, dental crowns are your only course of action. This is because unlike other smile restoration procedures, dental crowns provide a more fortified foundation for your teeth. Instances when this is required are:

• You’re the victim of periodontal disease, which would automatically disqualify you for porcelain veneers
• Grinding or clenching your teeth
• Major decay has eroded the foundation of your teeth
• Significant shape change is required to meet your goals

What’s The Procedure Like?
If you experience dental anxiety, many dental offices now practice sedation dentistry to alleviate any stress you may experience. However, compared to other smile restoration options, the dental crown procedure is rather simple and non-invasive:

• First, Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands will prepare the tooth for receiving the crown. During this visit, an impression is made of your teeth and sent to the laboratory
• While the crown is being created, we will provide you with a temporary crown to protect your tooth
• Once the crown is finished, you return to the dental office to have the cap bonded to your damaged tooth

What Are My Options For A Crown?
There are three kinds of commonly used dental crowns:

• Porcelain
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• Gold

Depending on your cosmetic goals, financial restrictions, and oral health needs, you can discuss with your dentist the most appropriate route for you.

Porcelain
Porcelain dental crowns (also known as all-ceramic) are the most aesthetically pleasing and natural looking dental crown, as it is completely metal-free. However, there are drawbacks, such as it is not as strong or durable as its counterparts and thus should not be used in heavily used areas of the mouth.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are the most commonly used dental crowns today. They are more durable than pure porcelain and remain a very natural looking option. However, as time peels back your gum line, more of the metal collar will show.

Gold
While not as popular as porcelain dental crowns, gold crowns are still used today under specific circumstances. For instance, if a patient grinds or clenches their teeth, gold crowns are the best route as they are more durable than porcelain options. Additionally, they provide more longevity than their porcelain counterparts.

Source: Dental Crowns: All You Need To Know

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Dental Implants & Bone Grafting

Latest Dental News: Dental Implants & Bone Grafting

Many dental patients suffer from discomfort, sore spots and even gaps when using bridges or dentures. Dental implants are a permanent solution for permanent tooth loss. A dental team made of an oral surgeon, periodontist and general practitioner dentist will decide on the best course of action for the patient’s individual needs. The patient’s overall health and dental history is reviewed and several diagnostic tests are taken to determine if the patient has adequate bone density to hold the implants.

If the team finds it necessary to build up the bone before the implant surgery, the patient will undergo a bone grafting procedure first. Bone grafting is a common procedure for patients suffering from periodontal disease and for dental implant candidates.

Bone Grafting Sources
Replacing missing bone or adding to existing bone is essential for an implant patient with inadequate bone density. There are several material sources available for the bone grafting procedure. The best source is from the implant patient. Material is collected from other areas within the mouth through a suction apparatus during the drilling process for the implants. Sometimes, bones are taken from outside of the mouth such as the hip. If the surgery involves removing material from the hip, the procedure will be done in a hospital by an orthopedic surgeon.

Another common source is from cadavers. The bone is retrieved from a bone bank that has tested it thoroughly to be sure its disease-free. The procedure is very safe and very effective for patients suffering from bone loss. If natural bone isn’t the right fit, other optional materials include synthetic bone, animal bones, coral and biocompatible polymers.

Bone Grafting Procedures
There are several different bone grafting procedures:

• Sinus Grafting – the donor bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus membrane, which is the roof of the upper jaw. This procedure strengthens the egg shell thin wall of bone left behind after upper teeth are removed

• Block Bone Grafting – a block of bone is removed from one area of the patient and screwed into the area where the implants are to be placed. It takes four to six months for the new bone to integrate with the jaw bone

• Guided Tissue Regeneration – when a dentist creates a surgical hole, the soft gum tissue grows quickly over the hole blocking the bone. A membrane barrier is placed over the surgical hole to prevent unwanted gum growth. The membrane is removed later or absorbed by the body

• Bone Expansion – the walls of the bone is stretched or widened to accommodate the implant

• Socket Preservation Grafting – a donor bone is inserted into the tooth socket after tooth removal and takes four to six months to completely heal.

Source: Bone Grafting for Implants

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Stress, Jaw Problems & Headache Due to TMJ Disorder

Latest Dental News: Jaw Problems & Headaches

“All this stress – it’s giving me a headache!” How many times have you heard someone say something similar, or even said such a thing yourself? It’s a common sentiment, and it’s based in reality. Stress can manifest itself in all sorts of physical symptoms.

Work, money, relationships, and just life in general can all cause stress. And stress can cause headaches, joint pain, eyestrain and other problems. But experts suggest that, often times, headaches are not caused by stress. Rather, the headaches are caused by a condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. It’s this condition – referred to as TMJ – which is actually causing the headaches, joint pain and other supposed stress-related conditions. It’s a vicious circle – the TMJ creates the headaches, persistent headaches lead to stress, and the stress then further intensifies the headaches.

“TMJ can cause an unending cycle of pain and stress for the sufferer,” says Dr. Dennis Ikuta, a Reedley, California neuromuscular dentist. “By going to a neuromuscular dentist to treat the symptoms of your TMJ, you can alleviate the pain and stress it may be causing.”

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: What is it?
Some estimates place TMJ as the third most common health problem in the United States today, yet not many people have actually heard about it. The problem with TMJ is that it is hard to diagnose, and has a myriad of symptoms. Some of the most common ones include headaches, toothaches, blurred vision, tingling in the arms, neck pain, and a clicking sound in the jaw.

So what is TMJ? TMJ is a disorder that arises when the jaw is improperly aligned, and it can cause many different painful symptoms. It can be a genetic condition, or the result of an accident. Regardless, when your jawbones and muscles are “out of whack,” problems can occur throughout your body.

So why, if TMJ is so common, is it so commonly misdiagnosed? The answer is surprising. The experts in TMJ aren’t typically doctors. Rather, the experts are neuromuscular dentists.

Neuromuscular Dentists Know TMJ
Neuromuscular dentists have additional, post-dental-school training at neuromuscular dentistry schools. Aside from learning about veneers, bleaching, and other traditional dental procedures, neuromuscular dentists also learn how to prevent these procedures from affecting the temporomandibular joint, as well as diagnose and treat TMJ and other structural disorders of the neck and jaw.

Diagnosing TMJ requires both expertise and special equipment. A computer model is made of your jaw and bite pattern, which allows your dentist to see exactly what’s wrong. Treatment for TMJ depends on the severity and extent of the individual’s condition. It could involve something as extensive as surgery, or something as simple as custom-made mouth apparatus. Typically, most cases are treated – at least partially – by the TENS system, which uses electrical pulses to eliminate the TMJ pain.

Say Goodbye to Stress
If you suffer from persistent headaches, you owe it to yourself to visit with a neuromuscular dentist. You might be suffering from TMJ. If so, you deserve treatment – treatment for TMJ will relieve the symptoms, and the subsequent stress that is often associated with chronic pain.

Diagnosing and treating TMJ is usually simple – if you know where to look! Often, that means scheduling an appointment with a neuromuscular dentist. They’re the TMJ experts! So if you suffer from unexplained headaches, jaw pain and the like, just remember: it might not be stress, it might be TMJ.

Source: Stress; the cause of TMJ?

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