Dental Caries

Halitosis or usually known as bad breath is an embarrassing condition that can affect anyone at anytime. The most common causes of bad breath are preventable and easily treated, however certain medical conditions may also cause bad breath. Chronic halitosis may indicate an underlying medical concern that should be addressed by your dentist or medical doctor. Learn about the most common reasons why you may experience bad breath, and when you should see a dentist for that.

Basically, If you eat foods with strong odours (such as garlic or onions), brushing and flossing, even mouthwash merely covers up the odours temporarily. The odour will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body. Besides, if you don't brush and floss the teeth daily, this can causes bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses can also help reduce bacteria. In addition, odour-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned. Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate the gums. The medical condition and dry mouth can also cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems. But you can reduce or prevent the bad breathe by having a good dental care, such as:

• See your dentist regularly, at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning and she will be able to detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.
• Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride tooth paste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush teeth after you eat. Don’t forget to brush the tongue, too. Replace your toothbrush every two or three months. Use floss or an interdentally cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between the teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.
• Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gums (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
• Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
• Keep a log of the foods you eat.

You can select a number of mouthwashes that claim to eliminate bad breath. However, keep in mind that many of these mouthwashes generally provide only a temporary way to mask unpleasant mouth odour. There are, however, several antiseptic mouth-rinse products available that instead of simply masking breath odour, it will kill the germs that cause bad breath. Ask your dentist about the best product for you.

Actually dental care is a part of people activities that should always be done all their life. Dental care is done by brushing and flossing the teeth regularly, having regular checkups with the dentist, having a mouth-healthy diet which means having foods with high whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products. Even if you have brushed your teeth at least twice a day, you may still face the risk of having dangerous bacteria growing inside your mouth. The bacteria cannot only lead to periodontitis, but some studies also find a link between the poor oral hygiene and the major health issues.

There is a theory that the harmful bacteria from the mouth might enter the blood stream and attach to fatty plaques in the heart's blood vessels. This will lead to inflammation and may increase your risk of clots that can trigger the heart attacks. That is why people who suffer from gum diseases have higher risks to suffer from coronary artery diseases compared to those who do not have periodontitis. Besides, some researchers also suggest that there might be a relationship between a poor oral health and an increased risk of dementia. Other scientists also found out that the gum disease can make it harder to control your blood sugar, and that will help improve the diabetes symptoms.

To overcome the problem of unhealthy mouth, there are some ways that can be done to avoid the risks:

• Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
• Brush your teeth twice a day-in the morning and before bed-and floss once a day. This will remove the plaque which can lead to damaged teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.
• Use a tooth paste that contains fluoride which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that can fight the plaque. Look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association.
• Practice tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush, stroking in a back-to-front direction. Tongue cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are coated or deeply grooved.
• Avoid using tobacco products, which can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (second-hand smoke) also may cause gum disease as well as other health problems.
• Schedule regular trips to the dentist based on how often you need exams and cleaning.

Don't be afraid to question the dentist. Having a regular checkups and good dental care is an effective way to help prevent this kind of extensive dental work. Your partnership with the dentist will help ensure the healthy teeth and prevent major health issues.