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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Sugar Substitute Reduces Risk for Dental Cavities
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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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Dental Implants in Just One Hour

Dental implants may be a better alternative for denture wearers. The problem is that implants take a very long time to complete and can be very expensive. Since most insurance plans do not cover the expense, most individuals in the past have turned to dentures and bridges to replace lost teeth.

Implants start at around $500 and can go up to $6,000 per tooth. Most implants will cost between $1,200 and $2,000. There are reasons why the cost could go up, so you will want to choose a dentist familiar with many restorative options.

Usually, anyone that can undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for an implant. Patients will need healthy gums and enough bone to hold the abutment that attaches to the crown. Patients with diabetes, heart disease or other chronic disorders need to be evaluated on an individual basis.

There are several types of dental implants and some procedures can take up to nine months with two surgeries. Recent advances have made the process much quicker.

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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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Bad Breath Causes & Treatment

Latest Dental News: Tonsil stones can cause bad breath

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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Reasons & Causes of Tooth Discoloration

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It is almost impossible to maintain your teeth well enough to have a naturally dazzling white smile throughout your lifetime. There are many reasons why this is unattainable, and many of the factors involved are not related to the kinds of food you eat on a daily basis.

“Many of my patients don’t realize that stained or discolored teeth is not just a result of drinking coffee too much or smoking,” says Dr. Dennis Ikuta, a cosmetic dentist in Reedley, California. “There are many causes of stained or discolored teeth, including genetics, medications, and diseases in addition to foods, drinks, and tobacco use.”

Genetics, Aging and Tooth Enamel
For some people, genetics have a major role in why their teeth are not as naturally bright or white as other people. Just as your DNA determines your eye and hair color, it also determines the color of your enamel. If your parents have naturally bright white or yellow teeth, chances are that you will have a similar shade.

Aside from the natural shade of your enamel, there are other genetically predisposed factors that can contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. Enamel defects like microscopic pits, fissures. and other surface abnormalities can make the teeth susceptible to the accumulation of staining foods, drinks, or tobacco. When your enamel naturally wears down with age, the yellow-colored tooth structure underneath will also begin to show through.

A genetic salivary dysfunction can also contribute to staining because saliva is a key component in naturally removing plaque and food debris from your tooth surfaces. If you do not produce as much saliva as you should, your first line of defense against staining is greatly weakened, and you will need to greatly accelerate your dental hygiene routine to avoid staining.

Diseases and Medications that Affect Your Teeth
Many diseases and daily medications for common ailments can have an affect on the color of your teeth over time. There are diseases that can directly cause tooth discoloration (like enamel diseases) and there are diseases that can indirectly cause discoloration through their affect on your dental health or the medications you must take to control their symptoms.

For example, the onset of diabetes can cause your periodontal (gum) health to deteriorate more rapidly than for those without the disease. When your periodontal health is compromised, the bacteria, plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth increases, eventually leading to stains.

Many medications also increase tooth discoloration. Common anti-psychotic, anti-depressants, and acne medications such as tetracycline cause discoloration of the teeth. In addition, medications that dry out your mouth can lead to discoloration because they affect the amount of saliva helping to naturally wash away food particles from your mouth.

The Solution: Professionally Whitening Your Teeth
If your teeth are stained due to any of the reasons mentioned above, you may be a good candidate for professional tooth whitening. Depending on the cause of your stained teeth, your cosmetic dentist may recommend professionally whitening your teeth in an office environment or using an at-home whitening kit. You will need to tell your cosmetic dentist if you suffer from a disease or take a medication that has impacted your dental health. This information is critical in determining the best long-term tooth whitening strategy for you.

Contact an experienced cosmetic dentist near you today if you would like to gain or restore a dazzling white smile. No matter what the cause of your stained or discolored teeth, a cosmetic dentist will help you find a tooth whitening solution for you.

Source: The Different Causes of Tooth Discoloration

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All About Endodontics & Tooth Discoloration

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Have you brushed and flossed after every meal since you were tall enough to reach the toothpaste, but still find yourself with a yellow smile? Trust me, the likelihood is that it’s not bad genetics causing you to hide and feel self-conscious about your smile.

How Did My Teeth Turn Yellow?

Even those who maintained perfect oral hygiene find themselves dissatisfied with the yellow smile age has forced them to bear. It’s a simple fact that the porcelain-like enamel that protects our teeth withers away over time. Eventually, all that’s left is the yellow dentin that lurks below.

Factors that stain your teeth are:

• Smoking – Nicotine seeps into and gnaws away at tooth enamel
• Drinking dark colored beverages, such as coffee, tea, soda pop and red wine stain teeth
• Grinding and clenching teeth causes miniscule cracks to appear, paving the way for staining agents to infiltrate enamel
• Aging naturally causes tooth enamel to decay

Kinds Of Stains

The stains that cause tooth discoloration fall into two categories: surface, or extrinsic stains, and intrinsic stains.

Surface stains gather on the surface of your teeth. Frequent exposure to dark beverages, tobacco and sugary foods cause these stains to accumulate.

Intrinsic stains gather inside your teeth and are the result of aging and trauma.

Eliminating Tooth Discoloration

Luckily, advancements in modern dentistry provide countless tooth whitening options to those wishing to brighten their smile.

If you’re looking to just remove surface stains, any tooth whitening procedure will work. However, intrinsic stains are more difficult to remove and require an extensive time commitment. The most common method to remove intrinsic stains is a take home bleaching kit.

The Quickest and Safest Tooth Whitening Technique

One of the most efficient tooth whitening techniques on the market is Zoom! Tooth Whitening. In just forty-five minutes, your teeth will be whitened up to eight shades. Additional benefits to Zoom! Tooth Whitening as opposed to other tooth whitening procedures are:

• Whitens teeth to a greater degree and in a quicker amount of time
• Leaves your teeth less sensitive than other tooth whitening procedures
• Has follow-up gels you can apply to guarantee the best results

Ensuring A Successful Tooth Whitening Procedure

The first step in addressing your tooth discoloration is a consultation with your cosmetic dentist. The goals of this meeting will be to determine if your oral health is satisfactory for having your teeth whitened.

In the twenty-four hour window after having your teeth whitened, it’s essential that you avoid dark colored beverages, acidic and sugary foods and nicotine products. Otherwise you’ll be compromising the success of your procedure.

Source: Causes of Tooth Discoloration

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