(217) 546-3333Bad Breath: Health Problems and Prevention
July 29, 2013
What are the health problems associated with bad breath and how can it be prevented?
Bad breath is an oral problem that often cannot be noticed by the patient himself. The patient comes to realize about his bad breath when his family members or friends comment about it. Bad breath can be due to many causes and it can also act as an indicator or symptom of other medical conditions. Regular dental checkups can help you avoid the associated oral health problems.
Some health problems associated with bad breath:
- Gum disease- Improper brushing leads inadequate elimination of food particles from between the teeth. These food particles allow the build-up of plaque on the tooth surface and the gum lining. Persistent neglect in maintenance of oral hygiene causes irritation of gums and subsequent inflammation. This can be perceived as bad breath and bad taste.
- Decayed teeth- Decayed teeth with cavities serve as a storehouse for food remnants and are not accessible by bristles of the toothbrush for removal. The food particles undergo putrefaction within the cavity and become the source of bad breath.
- Fungal infections- There are chances of fungal infection in the mouth if there is persistent bad breath.
- Dry mouth- also called xerostomia. Our saliva flushes out the dead cells in our mouth. If the saliva produced is decreased, the flushing action gets lowered. Hence, the dead cells undergo disintegration generating bad breath. Dry mouth is a sign for a number of health problems like salivary gland disorders. It can be found in people with habit of mouth-breathing and is a common side effect of certain medications.
- Respiratory tract infections– Individuals with infections like sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia or post-nasal drip often have bad breath.
- Metabolic disorders- There are few metabolic disorders like gastro esophageal reflux (GER) that cause bad breath due to regurgitation (reverse flow of acid within the stomach). Problems related to kidney and liver may also be the cause of foul odor.
Ways of prevention of bad breath
Bad breath should not be taken lightly as it is associated with so many health problems. For preventive measures or treatment of halitosis (bad breath), the underlying cause has to be determined. If any health problem is the causative factor, you should be referred to a general physician for the rest of the treatment plan. If it is related to your oral health, your dentist will be the best person to deal with it.
Whatever may the case be, you can follow some simple rules for good Oral Hygiene to keep bad breath at bay.
- Brushing – For good oral hygiene it is essential to brush your teeth twice daily, preferably with fluoridated toothpaste. Scrape your tongue with a scraper to remove all the food particles trapped on the surface of the tongue.
- Flossing- Floss daily to remove the food debris stuck in between the teeth and also areas that are inaccessible for the bristles of the toothbrush.
- Mouthwash- Use of chlorhexidine mouthwash can be of great help for those with bad breath as the antibacterial action washes off the bacteria and there is a feeling of freshness in your breath.
- Diet control- Paying attention to small details of your diet will help you in the long run. Avoid onion and garlic. Try chewing peppermint for fresh breath.
If you are upset with your bad breath, call (217) 546-3333for a free consultation with Dr. VanderMolen. His team at Advanced Dental Care will guide you to get the healthy mouth and gums you have been waiting for!
Make Your Trip to the Family Dentist Easier by Booking Same Day
February 5, 2013
Save Time and Improve Your Family’s Oral Health
Making a trip to the dentist usually requires some reshuffling of your typical daily schedule – which can feel a bit burdensome throughout the year if you need to make separate appointments for your family as well. Because this re-scheduling can be more disruptive than what you’d expect, especially if you and your family run on a busy or tight schedule, an accommodating family dentistry office may be what you’re looking for.
A family dentist not only provides an array of preventative dentistry services, but they do so for individuals throughout the lifespan. No matter how old or young a patient is, a family dentist is trained to cater to any age group’s specific needs. Seeing Dr. VanderMolen as your family dentist also adds to your all-around dental experience because he will gain familiarity with your entire family and may be better able to address dental issues that are prevalent within your family group.
Essentially, by choosing a family dentistry practice you’ll be creating a more streamlined, dental experience for you and your family. Gone will be the days where you have to schedule multiple appointments at different dental offices around town and throughout the year. With Advanced Dental Care you can now book all of your preventative dentistry visits to take place on the very same day making it one easy trip for everyone.
Your scheduling needs matter to us here at Advanced Dental Care and we will work with you to find a day and time for your entire family to come in. To simplify your family dentistry visits just call us at (217) 546-3333 and set up your appointments today.
Preventative Dentistry: Keeping up with Your Check-ups
October 30, 2012
Why adults should keep up with their dental checkups
Many of us might think that once we have grown all our teeth and our oral health has been monitored as they grow, that there is no need to make regular visits to the dentist. We may be over confident about our oral health if all we do is clean and floss our teeth daily. Most recent surveys show that periodontal disease is on the increase amongst the young adult population, and this can be halted quite easily by a regular visit to the dentist when preventative dentistry measures can be undertaken.
The majority of adults will not make an appointment to see a dentist until there is a noticeable problem, which could be an unbearable pain. Normally, by this time it is far too late.
How often should I visit a dentist?
Adults should be in the dentist’s chair for a check-up just as often as any age group, so that a possible problem can be detected before it becomes serious. General dentistry check-ups can save the patient an enormous amount of time, pain and money in restorative care in the long run. The normal time frame between each visit is 6 months, but there are situations that require check-ups more frequently.
Those most at risk are persons who are:
Suffering from gum disease, recommended once every 3-4 months in order to restore the gums.
Suffering from diabetes, who often experience dry mouths and a weakened immune system. They need to visit their dentist often in order to maintain strong, functioning teeth and reduce the chances of gum disease.
Regular smokers, who should make an appointment for a check-up with a dentist at least twice yearly for possible signs of oral cancer.
Dr. VanderMolen provides the dental services you need in the Springfield, IL area. Come see us for a consultation and preventative cleaning. Contact Advanced Dental Care, at (217) 546-3333 to discuss the options available to you.
Preventative Care – Springfield IL – Is Manual Cleaning as Effective as Ultrasonic Scaling?
August 14, 2012
Is Manual Cleaning as Effective as Ultrasonic Scaling?
Most dentists ask you to come to the clinic every six months for a check-up and dental cleaning. Dental cleaning is the preventative procedure that assures gums and teeth stay healthy.
Have you noticed what kind of cleaning instruments your dentist uses? Many dentists involve ultrasonic scalers in removing the calcular deposits and plaque on your teeth. This machine vibrates and emits water during the whole cleaning process. Because ultrasonic cleaning is more efficient and less tiring than hand- activated scaling, many dentists choose this, especially if there are calcular deposits.
Manual or hand activated cleaning pertains to the hand instruments like scalers and curettes. When it comes to fine deposits attached on teeth, manual scaling is superior. A hygienist or dentist can put more energy in manual cleaning. As this option is more strenuous, more dental practitioners prefer ultrasonic scaling. Often it is the practice that, after the ultrasonic scaling, manual scaling follows.
In the hands of a skilled dental health professional like the staff at Advanced Dental Care, ultrasonic scaling and manual scaling can yield the same results and effectivity.
Because of the vibrating action of the ultrasonic scalers, we can say that the tactile sensibility, the ability to feel if there are still any remaining deposits attached to the tooth, of the dentist or hygienist is hindered. Thus, to ensure that no remaining dirt is left, hand-activated scaling is still suggested after ultrasonic scaling.
It is, again, a matter of inclination whether patients would want ultrasonic or hand- activated scaling. Patients consider the time spent during the cleaning procedure and the sensitivity that could be possibly felt.
May it be ultrasonic or hand-activated cleaning; you will notice the improvement on your gums and teeth afterwards. However, you will still need to maintain the professionally cleaned area with regular tooth brushing and flossing.
Dr. VanderMolen and the staff at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield care about keeping your teeth healthy and beautiful. For more information on preventative care or any of our other services, contact our office at 217-546-3333.