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Although proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits are important, there are other options for you to treat bad breath. The best remedies for bad breath include things you may have never even considered. Fresh breath is a sign of a healthy mouth. Having a healthy mouth is a good indication of your overall health. By using these remedies for bad breath, you can make a big difference in your oral and overall health.

Probiotics For Bad Breath

There are plenty of traditional ways to help treat your bad breath but the best remedies for bad breath include non-traditional ways.  One of these ways is to use an oral probiotic.

You can keep your mouth as clean as possible with good oral hygiene and plaque removal methods but you may still need to do more.  The best of these efforts include twice daily brushing and daily flossing or use of an oral irrigator.

But even with the best efforts of plaque control, bad breath can still persist and an oral probiotic is necessary.  The reason for this is not what you think. Every one of us has a unique system of bacteria in our mouths. This is called our microbiome.

Contrary to what you might think, it is not the goal to kill all the germs in our mouth. Some bacteria are important for promoting good health in our mouth and in the rest of our body.

Just like our intestinal microbiome determines our well-being and health, a healthy oral microbiome is also crucial as it is the opening to the intestinal tract.

The balance of good and bad bacteria in the mouth determine whether the oral microbiome is healthy or not.  Learn more about oral probiotics and how they work here.

It is important to maintain the proper environment and balance of bacteria in the mouth. This includes good oral hygiene but also eliminating antibacterial mouthwash. These can kill not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria needed to maintain health.

Other things besides using antibacterial mouthwashes can throw off the healthy balance of bacteria too. These things include smoking, eating the wrong foods, poor oral hygiene, stress or taking antibiotics.

Taking an oral probiotic is one of the best remedies for bad breath. Oral probiotics contain two strains of bacteria to cure bad breath. These are Streptococcus salivarius strains K12 and M18.  A review of the most effective oral probiotic can be read here.  The overall idea behind using probiotics for bad breath is to encourage the amount of good bacteria and leave less room for the bad.

What Bacteria Causes Bad Breath?

There are certain types of bacteria called Gram-negative anaerobes that thrive in a low oxygen environment. These bacteria can be found under the gums. Other gas-producing bacteria are found on the tongue. The gas these bacteria produce is called volatile sulfur compounds.

The best way to eliminate bad breath is to focus on colonizing the mouth with the good bacteria found in oral probiotics instead of trying to get rid of the bad bacteria. Trying to get rid of the bad bacteria is important with oral hygiene practices but nearly impossible as these bacteria are constantly recolonizing.

With the help of an oral probiotic containing Streptococcus salivarius strains K12 and M18, these good bacteria can be introduced in the mouth by use of a lozenge. 85% of participants in the study showed a significantly marked reduction in the bacteria producing volatile sulfur compounds.

Oral Probiotics Help Other Issues Too

The oral microbiome (bacteria in our mouth) perform many functions to keep our teeth and gums healthy. When too much of the bad bacteria are present, other oral health problems arise.

Oral probiotics are not only effective at treating bad breath, but can be helpful in the treatment of gum disease, preventing cavities, sinus infections, tonsillitis and pharyngitis.

Numerous diseases have been associated with the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the mouth. These include cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.

Whether you maintain an ideal ratio of good-to-bad bacteria in your mouth directly correlates to your oral and dental health as well as the health of your whole body. By taking an oral probiotic, you will not only be helping to treat your bad breath, but will be helping to maintain this balance.

Treatment of Dry Mouth is Remedy for Bad Breath

People who suffer from dry mouth often times suffer from bad breath. Our saliva is our self-cleansing mechanism. It helps to neutralize acids and flush bacteria and leftover food particles from our mouth. Without saliva to perform these functions, the bacteria break down and produce the volatile sulfur compounds creating an unpleasant odor.

Lots of things can cause dry mouth. Medications including antihistamines, antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, diuretics and those for blood pressure have dry mouth as an unpleasant side effect of their use. Radiation treatments, sleep apnea, autoimmune disorders among other health issues may also cause dry mouth.

Other factors can simply include dehydration, stress, hormonal changes or anxiety. Drinking lots of water, eliminating caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum and using Xylimelts are all great remedies for bad breath caused by dry mouth.

The Tongue Matters Too!

Proper cleaning of the tongue is absolutely imperative to remedy bad breath. The top surface of the tongue, otherwise known as the dorsum, is the perfect hiding place for billions of bad breath causing bacteria. These bacteria also create volatile sulfur compounds which give off a nasty smell.

Use a good tongue cleaner every single day to dramatically reduce the amount of bacteria causing these compounds. The additional use of a tongue cleaner in combination with your other hygiene practices will greatly improve any bad breath issues.

Cleaning the tongue involves using a tool that will gently scrub and loosen plaque and debris. By using gentle pressure with the tongue cleaner you can scrape the surface from the back to the tip until all debris is gone. Learn more about what a healthy tongue looks like by reading What Does a Healthy Tongue Look Like-3 Signs to Look For.

Conclusion

Now you know the best remedies for bad breath- not what you think. Oral probiotics are a very promising area of research which I believe will change the way we treat our oral health forever. Scientists have discovered the connection between the health of our mouth and the health of our body. Treating bad breath with oral probiotics, dry mouth treatment and tongue cleaning are non-traditional approaches you will be glad you started. I invite you to share your experience below.

Teeth grinding is a common problem that not only affects the mouth but your entire body. The medical term for teeth grinding is bruxism. Bruxism, or teeth grinding affects 10 to 15 percent of adults, according to the American Dental Association. When teeth grinding occurs frequently, it can cause harm to your teeth, dental health and overall health.

The damage caused to your teeth is irreversible and measures to prevent it should be taken seriously.  Learn more about bruxism from Wikipedia.

The most common way to prevent damage from teeth grinding is by wearing a mouth guard. There are many types of mouth guards to choose from.

This article will discuss your best option of mouth guards for teeth grinding and how you can save money on the most effective quality product.

What Causes Teeth Grinding?

Teeth grinding or bruxism is a condition in which you clench, gnash or grind your teeth together. Most people who have bruxism will unconsciously clench or grind their teeth during sleep.

Some people will unconsciously do this while awake throughout the day. Stress is considered a major contributing factor in teeth grinding.

Other emotional triggers can be tension, anger, fear or anxiety. It can also simply be caused by periods of deep concentration.

It is a common misconception that teeth grinding is a problem that only affects the mouth. The symptoms of the condition has an impact on your entire body.

Most people who suffer from this condition will spend time and money on other treatments and medications because they are not aware that their teeth grinding is causing the problem.

Clenching and grinding your teeth is capable of causing headaches, jaw aches, facial muscle pain, neck pain, spasms and insomnia.

Doctors are not completely sure what causes bruxism but feel it may be caused by a combination of genetic, physical and psychological factors.

You may not be able to remove the cause of your teeth clenching and grinding but you can take measures to protect your teeth and alleviate the symptoms caused by it.

Tooth Damage is Irreversible

The main signs of teeth grinding are teeth that are fractured, chipped or worn. Excessive grinding can cause teeth to become loose or mobile. Once the enamel has chipped or worn away, there is no way to get that enamel back. When it’s gone, It’s gone!

These teeth will require restorations such as fillings or crowns. Extensive restorations like bridges or implants will be required to replace loose or mobile teeth that have to be extracted.

Other signs of bruxism include waking up with jaw pain or headaches. Sleep is usually interrupted during grinding leading to poor quality of sleep.

While there may be no cure for teeth grinding, many people will find that wearing a mouthguard will give them needed relief and prevent irreversible tooth damage.

Custom Fit Mouth Guards are the Best Option

A mouth guard is a device you wear over the biting surface of your teeth. They can be made for your top or bottom teeth but most people prefer ones worn on the top teeth as these are the most comfortable to wear.

These appliances keep your top and bottom teeth from touching. This in turn will relieve the stress and tension on your jaw normally caused by clenching and grinding.

You will be providing a protective barrier of your teeth from the massive forces of the jaw. In your body, the strongest muscle based on its weight is the masseter muscle. This is one of the muscles of the jaw. With all the muscles of the jaw working together, a force is created as great as 55 pounds on your front teeth and 200 pounds on your molars. This is definitely a significant force, especially when you take into consideration that these forces occur on a regular basis.

There are several types of mouth guards. Purchasing an over the counter mouth guard for teeth grinding can be very challenging due to the overwhelming amount of choices.

Non-custom or universal fitting mouth guards are the least expensive and can be purchased anywhere between $10 to $25.

These mouth guards are not recommended as they do not stay in place and are more of a one-size fits all model. Often, these devices are made of plastic that wears through easily.

Another option is a boil and bite type of mouth guard. These devices allow a tighter fitting appliance to be molded to your bite. These mouth guards will cost $20 to $30 but are still not a good choice due to the thin and easily worn through material they are made from.

Boil and bite mouth guards allow you to boil the product to heat it up and require you to bite into them while they are still warm. This will “register” your bite. These appliances are often uncomfortable to wear long term and ill-fitting.

Your dentist will recommend that you have a custom formed hard acrylic mouth guard fitted for you. This is by far the best option of all. It will give you a comfortable and very durable product that will provide maximum protection for your teeth.

Custom mouth guards can be made by your dentist by taking an impression of your teeth and sending it to a dental lab for a precise fit. These mouth guards can cost anywhere from $400 to $600 and are not covered by most dental insurance.

You can now purchase a custom mouth guard directly from a dental lab versus going through your dentist.

A custom mouth guard is made from an impression of your teeth providing the most accurate and comfortable fit. These products stay in place and are made from hard acrylic that will withstand wear from even the most aggressive grinder.

Custom Mouth Guards Are Now Affordable

Amazon has taken the high cost of a custom mouth guard out of the equation. A custom mouth guard can be made from the same type of dental lab your dentist uses.

J & S Dental Lab Dental Mouth Guards have provided a convenient and affordable option. Purchasers simply order a home impression kit to be taken in the privacy of their own home. A putty type material is provided in the kit.

The impression is mailed back using the prepaid return envelope provided. Based on the impression, the company’s dental lab (same type of lab all dentists use) will provide you with a customized mouth guard in the mail shortly thereafter. These mouth guards are the same high quality products provided in dental offices but only cost a fraction of the price.

J & S Dental Lab Dental Mouth Guards are made from BPA free laminate and hard acrylic and a prescription is not required. This product is backed by 100% money back guarantee. This guarantee allows the purchaser to return the item if not completely satisfied for a full refund with free shipping.  The company will do anything it needs to in order for you to be completely satisfied with your mouth guard.

Conclusion

I encourage you to invest in the best mouth guard for teeth grinding. While mouth guards for teeth grinding can be purchased over the counter, it its best to get a custom fit, more durable and comfortable appliance that will be more effective in alleviating the symptoms of bruxism.

The J & S Dental Lab Dental Mouth Guard is a quality alternative to prescription dental mouth guards and will provide you with professional quality that is custom-made. They have a five star customer service to provide perfect fit and comfort guaranteed. This product could potentially save you up to 75% off the cost of the same high quality product you would receive from your dentist.

Go to J & S Dental Labs Dental Mouth Guards on Amazon to order your custom-made mouth guard for teeth grinding directly from the lab and manufacturer. I encourage your feedback and look forward to you sharing your positive experiences! Please leave your comments below.

WaterPik has changed the idea of how something can be done. This something is the simple act of brushing and flossing.

This review will discuss the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion. It is a sonic toothbrush combined with a water flosser in one easy to use tool. This product is the world’s first flossing toothbrush and it is changing the face of oral hygiene forever.

What is the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion?

Sonic-Fusion combines the proven effectiveness of the Waterpik Water Flosser with the power of an advanced sonic toothbrush.  Learn about the effectiveness of sonic waves for teeth cleansing here from Wikipedia.

The head of the toothbrush contains a built-in water flosser tip. This allows a pulsating water spray to be used in combination with the sonic vibration of the toothbrush. The Waterpik Sonic-Fusion is a device that provides both brushing and water flossing at the same time.
There are settings up to 10 to allow the water pressure to be customized for comfort and the intensity of the clean desired. The device comes with a timer to allow for a full 2 minutes of brushing. This timer has a built in pacer to notify when each 30 seconds has passed. A reservoir holds the water and can be used with mouthwash if desired.

The Waterpik Sonic-Fusion comes with two patented water flossing brush heads.  A deluxe travel case is also included.

How Effective Is It?

Waterpik explains that the sonic toothbrush cleans the tooth surfaces while the water flosser jet focuses on the spaces between the teeth and below the gumline.

The product features three modes of action: brush, floss and brush + floss.
Research shows it removes 99.9% of plaque from treated areas.

It is up to 50% more effective than regular floss for improving gum health and up to twice as effective as traditional brushing and flossing.

Who Should Use the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion?

This product is ideal for the person who wants to save time and who also wants to improve their oral health. Most people do not like to floss and statistically speaking, only a small percentage of the population actually flosses on a regular basis.

The Waterpik Sonic-Fusion is also ideal for anyone with crowns, bridges or implants. The pulsating water spray along with the sonic toothbrush effectively reaches these notoriously hard to reach areas.

You will be protecting the investment you have made in your dental work by using this unique product.

Orthodontic patients will truly benefit from this innovative technology as plaque and bacteria cannot hide from the combination of the sonic wave plus pulsating water flossing spray.

People who suffer from decay (cavities) or periodontal disease (gum disease) will find this product greatly improves oral health by reducing and eliminating bacteria from the in between areas of the teeth and under the gumline. These areas harbor the majority of the bacteria in the mouth and are easily accessed by the Waterpik Sonic-Fusion.

Save Time…Brush and Floss Simultaneously!

Now you can use a one step oral care regimen for your oral health. No longer do you have to commit to the separate and additional step of flossing. It can now be done within the same 2 minutes that it takes to use your toothbrush.
Finally, an innovative product that will change our oral hygiene routines forever! This product also comes with a limited 3-year warranty and is endorsed with the ADA seal of acceptance.

The results are astounding!  As a dental hygienist, I can tell you that this is the one product that has had the most dramatic and extreme positive outcomes in my patient’s oral health.

I invite you to try this highly recommended product for yourself.  Click here to go to Amazon and get yours.  Please feel free to leave any questions or comments concerning your own personal experience with Waterpik Sonic-Fusion.

Dental health is a huge part of overall health. Taking care of your children’s dental health will give them a healthy start in life. A child can suffer serious health problems if their dental disease is not taken care of.

Parents can take an active role in caring for their child’s teeth. This includes cleaning their teeth at home, providing a balanced diet and scheduling regular dental visits.

Children learn healthy habits from their parents. This article will describe helpful tips for parents to improve and maintain their child’s dental health from birth to adulthood.

Before the First Tooth Erupts

Children’s dental health should begin early on. It is a good idea to start cleaning your child’s mouth when they are a baby, before the first tooth has even erupted. This allows the child to get used to having their mouth cleaned.

Use a clean wet gauze or washcloth to gently wipe the gum area after each feeding. This will remove any plaque or food particles that may be present.

Never allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. If a bottle contains formula, milk or juice it will allow sugar to come in contact with their mouth all night long.

Even though there are no teeth present yet to come in contact with, it will set them up for the habit of relying on these damaging liquids at nighttime to fall asleep.

Offering a bottle containing sugary liquids as a pacifier is also not recommended. This will allow frequent acid attacks and increase tooth decay once their teeth begin to grow in.

Babies have a higher risk of tooth decay if their newly erupted teeth are allowed to come in contact with sugary liquids for extended periods of time. Bacteria in the mouth will mix with the sugar in these drinks to produce acids. These acids are very detrimental to a baby’s teeth and can cause a condition called “Baby bottle tooth decay”.

Your Child’s First Tooth

Your child’s baby teeth will hold the space in the jaw for the permanent teeth to develop. The baby teeth also help the child to speak normally and will help their chewing function and appearance.  Learn more about the importance of baby or primary teeth here from Wikipedia.

A baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in their jawbone at birth and will erupt within the first 3 years of their life. Generally, the first tooth will arrive around 6 months. Some babies will erupt their first tooth as early as 4 months and it is not uncommon for the first tooth to grow in closer to a year.

As a child grows, their jaw also grows. This allows room for the full set of 20 primary teeth to erupt over time. The first permanent teeth will start to erupt around age 6. As the permanent teeth develop under the roots of the primary teeth, the roots begin to resorb allowing for the shedding of the primary teeth.

By age 12-13 years, your child will have the majority of their permanent teeth fully erupted.

Primary Teeth

• Central incisor erupt 6-12 months and shed 6-7 yrs
• Lateral incisor erupt 9-16 months and shed 7-8 yrs
• Canine erupt 16-23 months and shed 9-12 yrs
• First molar erupt 13-19 months and shed 9-11 yrs
• Second molar erupt 23-33 months and shed 10-12 yrs

Permanent Teeth

• Central incisor erupt 6-8 yrs
• Lateral incisor erupt 7-9 yrs
• Canine erupt 9-12 yrs
• First premolar erupt 10-12 yrs
• Second premolar erupt 10-12 yrs
• First molar erupt 6-7 yrs
• Second molar erupt 11-13 yrs
• Third molar (wisdom tooth) erupt 17-21 yrs

Cleaning Your Child’s Teeth

When your child’s first teeth start to erupt, it important to start brushing them. You can use a child-sized toothbrush and water. It is easier to accomplish this if you are sitting on a bed or couch with your child lying down and their head on a pillow that is on your lap.

Once your child is age 2, the ADA recommends using a small pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste on their brush. Fluoride toothpaste is not suggested earlier than age 2 due to the risk of swallowing it. Before age 2, children do not know how to spit out the toothpaste and too much ingested fluoride may cause a condition of permanent brown spots on the permanent teeth called fluorosis.

Continue to help your child brush their teeth until age 6. A good rule of thumb is to allow your child to brush for the first minute by themselves. After one minute you can help them brush, making sure to reach the back teeth and the grooves in the molars where food and decay causing bacteria like to hide.

Check your child’s toothbrush often for bristles that are frayed or worn. Damaged bristles will not effectively remove plaque and food debris.

You can start to use dental floss when the adjacent teeth begin to touch. Children do not have the dexterity to floss using string floss on their own until age 8, so it is important to help them. You can floss for them or allow them to use a flossing tool with a handle that allows access to the back teeth.

Using an oral irrigator instead of floss is much more effective at removing plaque for children and adults.  Using an oral irrigator will remove twice as much bacterial plaque than traditional string floss.  Learn more about oral irrigators versus flossing.

It is recommended to brush twice daily, morning and night and floss once per day. Nighttime is the very most important time to brush your child’s teeth. At night, the mouth is moist, warm and dark and is the perfect breeding ground for decay causing bacteria.

Using an electric toothbrush will allow your child to have 30,000 brush strokes per minute compared to only 500 brush strokes per minute when using a manual toothbrush.  Products combining an electric toothbrush with an oral irrigator will provide superior plaque removal.  These products are by far the most effective plaque removal tools known to date and will greatly improve your child’s oral health.

No spill cups or sippy cups should also not be encouraged as soon as the child is able to use an open cup. This will prevent sugary milk or juices from coming in contact with your child’s enamel for extended periods of time.

What’s the Proper Technique?

Here are some more helpful tips for parents when caring for their children’s dental health. When brushing, you will want to place a soft bristled toothbrush against the gumline at a 45 degree angle towards the gum. If your child is under two, remember not to use fluoridated toothpaste.

A pea sized amount of toothpaste is all that is needed. Gently move the brush back and forth in short tooth-wide strokes.

Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower. Repeat this method for the insides of all the teeth. Finally, be sure to brush the chewing surfaces of the back teeth as this is where most plaque and bacteria will be hiding.

Don’t forget to brush the top surface of the tongue as this is another place bacteria like to hide.

Using a tool called a tongue cleaner will effectively remove bacteria from the surface of your child’s tongue.  This will greatly improve any issues with bad breath as these bacteria give off a smelly by product called volatile sulfur compounds.  Learn more about treating bad breath here.

When flossing, use about a foot and a half of floss. This seems like a lot but using this amount will make it easier to maneuver and properly hang on to the floss.

Wind each end of the floss around the middle fingers to allow a good grip. Use a gentle back and forth see-saw motion to guide the floss between the teeth until resistance is felt by the gums. Using a curving C-shape, gently wrap the floss around both sides of the teeth and use a scraping motion to clean food or plaque from in between the teeth.

Repeat these steps in between each of the teeth. Remember also to floss the backs of the furthest back teeth on top and bottom.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

When your child’s first tooth develops, it is time to schedule their first dental visit. Ideally, the first visit should be around their first birthday. You should treat this visit as you would treat your baby’s well child visit with their pediatrician.

During your child’s first visit, the dentist will accomplish several things. A complete oral exam will be done to check development and growth, access oral health and check for cavities or other problems.

Your child’s teeth will be cleaned and tips provided to maintain or improve oral hygiene. The dentist will discuss teething, finger or thumb sucking habits and pacifier use.

It will be determined whether your child is receiving enough fluoride to prevent cavities and whether your child is at risk for developing cavities.

Having the first dental check up at an early age will establish your child’s “dental home”. This is a place you can take your child for continued care year after year to maintain your children’s dental health.

An early visit helps the dentist get to know your child and their specific needs so they can provide the best care for them. It is best to meet the dentist when your child is having no problems-don’t wait until they are having an issue. This will ensure the most pleasant visit and a good experience for your child.

What About Sucking Habits?

Sucking is a natural reflex. Babies and young children many suck on pacifiers, fingers or thumbs to help them feel happy, safe and provide a sense of security. Many infants rely on sucking habits to induce sleep, as sucking is relaxing.

Sometimes a child’s sucking habits may interfere with proper alignment of the teeth or proper growth of the mouth. The habit’s duration, intensity and frequency will determine if dental problems will result.

Usually by age 2 to 4, a child will stop these habits on their own. If your child continues these sucking habits beyond age 4, it is a good idea to discuss this with your child’s dentist to see if there are any growth or developmental concerns.

You can help wean your child of these habits. Praise your child for not sucking instead of scolding them. Positive reinforcement is the most encouraging way to wean them of their habit.

A child will often suck on their fingers, thumb or pacifier when seeking comfort. Try to focus on eliminating the cause of anxiety and comfort your child. Children who are sucking for comfort will feel less of a need when they receive reassurance from their parents.

Placing a bandage or sock over your child’s finger or thumb will help to remind and encourage them to stop these behaviors. This practice is best done at night.

Diet is Important Too!

Children’s dental health includes a well balanced diet. A good diet is essential for your child’s growth and development and their healthy teeth will depend on it.

What and how often we eat directly affect our teeth. Our teeth are constantly forming bacterial plaque. When the sugar your child consumes mixes with the plaque, it produces cavity causing acids.

When your child is allowed to snack often, this encourages more opportunity for acid attacks which puts them at a higher risk for tooth decay. Other factors that may influence decay are the amounts and type of bacteria in the mouth.

Help your child to develop good eating habits. Limiting between meal snacks that are sugary and sticky like cookies, fruit snacks or candy is best. These snacks encourage decay.

Instead, offer snacks that are good for your children’s dental health. These snacks include raw vegetables, fruits, cheese and nuts. Nuts and cheese contain enzymes that discourage plaque from forming cavities. Fruit and vegetables are self cleansing foods as the chewing of these foods reduce bacterial plaque.

The mouth makes more saliva at mealtime to help rinse away food particles so it is best to save sugary snacks to be included with meals.

What about fluoride?

Research has shown that fluoride prevents cavities and helps repair and remineralize early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in all water sources. Some water sources such as city water have added fluoride.

For children, fluoride strengthens the enamel and makes it more resistant to decay. It will help to reverse the cavity process for teeth with beginning decay areas.

There are two ways your child can obtain fluoride: systemic or topical. Fluoride obtained systemically are all forms of fluoride that are ingested. This would include water fluoridation or supplements. Topical fluoride is obtained when applied to the outer surface of the enamel. Examples of topical fluoride would be in the form of toothpastes, mouth rinse or the varnish applied topically at the dental office.

Community water fluoridation is an extremely effective way to achieve both topical and systemic fluoride. Sometimes parents give their children bottled water instead of tap water. Some bottled waters contain fluoride but most do not. Take this fact into consideration by supplying additional forms of fluoride if you are only giving your child bottled water.

It is a good idea to check with your child’s dentist before giving them supplemental fluoride. Some children may or may not require additional fluoride if they are at low risk for developing tooth decay.

Happiness is a Healthy Smile…

Parents need to participate in caring for their child’s teeth. It is important that parents teach their children how to take care of their teeth and practice healthy habits that will continue into adulthood.

Now you know how to help your child practice good oral hygiene habits. Your children’s dental health will depend on these tips for parents. You can start them off right with a balanced, healthy diet and teach them the importance of regular dental care.

You can set a good example for your children by also brushing twice daily, flossing daily and visiting your dentist regularly.

By following the tips in this article, you can help your child have a healthy smile for life!

I invite you to take an active role in your children’s dental health.  Please leave any questions or comments below and I will be happy to help.

Soda consumption has become a daily habit for more and more people. It is no longer considered a treat for a special occasion and is now part of a daily routine for many.

In fact, drinking soda daily has become the norm especially for children and young adults. This article will cover the latest update of why soda is bad for your teeth and what you need to know to protect them.

What Does Soda Do to Your Teeth?

The sugar in soda mixes with the bacteria in your mouth to create acid. These acids attack your teeth. People who have poor oral hygiene are at a much higher risk of damage since they have more bacteria to begin with. The two main ways soda damages your teeth is by erosion and cavities.  Learn more about acid erosion of teeth here from Wikipedia.

Even sugar free soda contains acid of its own and should be avoided as much as regular soda. While diet soda may not have sugar, it has a very high content of citric and phosphoric acid. If these drinks are consumed often, they will have a very damaging effect your enamel.

Soda is bad for your teeth because the acid weakens the enamel and makes it more prone to decay. Every sip of soda lowers the pH in the mouth which prolongs the acid attack and erodes the enamel.

Each acid attack can lasts around 20 minutes. With ongoing acid attacks, the enamel becomes weaker and weaker. With the weakened enamel, the bacteria in the mouth are more likely to cause cavities.

Over time, the enamel is permanently damaged from the erosion. Once this enamel is gone, it’s gone. There is no way of getting it back!

How Can You Reduce the Acid Challenge?

By being aware of how soda is bad for your teeth, you can take steps to lessen the damage it can cause.

Never sip on soda all day. Everytime you take a sip of soda, the 20-minute acid attack starts all over again. The best way to enjoy your soda is to drink it all at once versus sipping on it.

Swishing with water after drinking soda will reduce the sugar content and dilute the acids. You should try to switch out soda for water as it has no sugar or acid and will not harm your teeth.

Using a straw when drinking soda will keep the sugar and acid away from your teeth.

Avoid drinking soda before bed. If soda is consumed before bed it will coat the teeth and tissues and allow the acid to cause damage all night long.

The absolute worst thing you can do is to consume soda throughout the night. Believe it or not, some people actually have soda on their nightstands. At night, the bacteria in the mouth multiply rapidly. The sugar in soda mixes with the bacteria in the mouth to create acids of their own in addition to the acid already in the soda.

It is best to wait at least 3o minutes after consuming soda to brush. If you brush before this time, you are more likely to cause further damage to your enamel. This is caused by brushing away the softened enamel created by the acid consumption.

More Damaging Than Ever! Updated Information

Today’s teenagers drink more soda than ever before. They consume three times as much soda than 20 years ago.

If you are like most of the American population, about half of you will have consumed a soda, sports or energy drink today.

The size of a soda bottle is getting bigger and bigger. Today’s bottle is 20 ounces compared to the standard 12 ounce bottle of years ago.

These larger sizes mean more and more sugar in each serving. It is not uncommon for a 20 ounce bottle to contain anywhere from 10 to 15 teaspoons of sugar! This table shows the comparison of water and battery acid to the sugar and pH acid content of a 12 ounce can of soda.

• (Drink/acid/sugar content)

• Water/ 7.00 neutral/ 0.0 tsp
• Sprite/ 3.42/ 9.0 tsp
• Diet Coke/ 3.41/ 0.0 tsp
• Mt. Dew/ 3.22/ 11.0 tsp
• Diet Pepsi/ 3.05/ 0.0 tsp
• Dr. Pepper/ 2.92/ 9.5 tsp
• Squirt/ 2.85/ 9.5 tsp
• Coke/ 2.53/ 9.3 tsp
• Pepsi/ 2.49/ 9.8 tsp
• Battery Acid-/1.00/ 0.0 tsp

What Does This Damage Look Like?

As the enamel thins and erodes, the underlying tooth surface starts to show through. This underlying tooth structure is called dentin and it is a yellow brownish color. Teeth appear darker when the translucent enamel allows the darker dentin to shine through more easily.

The chewing surface can become worn, pitted and uneven. The teeth appear to pull away from the margins of existing fillings as the acid erosion continues.

Cavities cause unsightly damage as the holes created by the decay rot away tooth structure.

Please Rethink Your Drink!

Why not choose a beverage low in sugar and acid? Now that you know why soda is bad for your teeth, you can avoid all the negative effects of soda by switching out your drink. Choose milk or water if at all possible. Even chocolate milk has much less sugar and no acid.

Be careful when consuming sports drinks. Many sports drinks such as Gatorade can have an acid pH content as high as 2.95 per 12 ounce serving. This is much higher than most sodas. Gatorade also has an average of 3-4 tsp of sugar per serving.

Energy drinks such as Monster have an average pH of 2.7. This is even closer to the dreaded pH of 1 in battery acid.

Remember that the enamel erosion caused by these drinks is irreversible so choose wisely and rethink your drink! The American Dental Association recommends limiting between meal sipping and snacking on sugary beverages and foods.

The ADA further recommends practicing good dental health hygiene by brushing twice a day for two minutes with an ADA accepted fluoridated toothpaste, flossing or cleaning between teeth daily, eating a healthy diet and visiting your dentist regularly.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and thank you for reading. Please feel free to comment below and I will gladly answer any questions or comments you may have.

Our tongue is a muscular organ of the mouth that has more important uses than people realize.

Most importantly, our tongue is needed for our speech, chewing our food and for taste. You can tell a lot about the health of your body by checking out your tongue.

What does a healthy tongue look like? There are three signs you need to look out for. Simply look in the mirror, stick out your tongue and check it out for yourself!

The Color of Your Tongue Matters

 

The best time to check out your tongue is right away in the morning when you first wake up. This way, the results will not be altered by eating, drinking, brushing or talking.

Ideally, what a healthy tongue looks like is a light pink color with only a very light white coating present. A bright red tongue could be an indication of vitamin B12 deficiency, heart disorders or blood diseases. Other deficiencies that may be noted with bright red tongue include folic acid and iron.  Learn more about tongue diseases here from Wikipedia.

A blue tongue may indicate a condition where not enough oxygen supplies the tissues called cyanosis. This may indicate issues with blood vessels, kidney disease or respiratory insufficiency. If this condition is present, it is advised to seek medical attention immediately.

Having a yellow tongue may indicate jaundice. This color is uncommon but may be associated with problems of the liver.

A purple tongue can be a sign that the heart is not pumping blood properly and may be a sign of heart complications.

A common deviation of tongue color is white. A white tongue is most commonly caused by dehydration which may simply be corrected by drinking more water.

When the color of the tongue is gray it may indicate an intestinal or long term digestive issue.

What a Coating Means

The normal healthy covering of the tongue consists of tiny little pink bumps called papillae. These small bumps are on the tops and sides of the tongue. They are light pink and give your tongue its rough texture.

A healthy tongue can become coated making it hard to notice these normal pink bumps.

A thick, white coating is usually an indication of an overgrowth of bacteria. It could be an indication of thrush which is a fungal infection. This is usually noticed after an illness or medications disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth. This condition is also known as oral candidiasis. Diabetes is sometimes linked to a white coating. It is theorized that with uncontrolled diabetes, there is a high level of sugar in the saliva that fuels the overgrowth of the undesirable bacteria.

A brownish/black coating appearing like “hair” on the tongue indicates a condition where proteins turn the normal small bumps into longer strands that appear hairlike. This condition is called black hairy tongue. It is usually brought on by smoking, drinking coffee or tea and poor dental hygiene. Removing the cause, like smoking, and improving hygiene by use of tongue brushing or tongue scraping may be all that is needed to improve this condition.

Black coating on your tongue may be caused by using an antacid with an ingredient called bismuth. Certain people experience this when the antacid mixes with the saliva and goes away once you discontinue the medication.

What Does the Texture Mean?

When normal tiny pink bumps are not present, the tongue may appear smooth and glossy. For some people, this may also indicate vitamin deficiencies including those of all B vitamins, iron or folic acid.

Some medications, infections and celiac disease may be the cause of this shiny appearance of the tongue.

A condition called geographic tongue is quite common and is noted by smooth patches mixed in with bumpy patches. These patches come and go which is why it is called “geographic” and most times are no cause for concern. Sometimes these patches can become sensitive when eating hot or spicy foods.

Cleaning Your Tongue is as Important as Brushing Your Teeth

The tongue is a very good indicator of overall health. While suspected systemic conditions should always be evaluated by your physician, it is also important to always practice good oral hygiene and keep the tongue clean.

This includes removing excess plaque bacteria and food debris from the surface of the tongue. This can simply be done by using a tongue cleaner which is a tool that can easily be added to your home oral hygiene care.

An effective tongue cleaner will gently and thoroughly remove the unwanted material that may be hiding within the bumps of the tongue. This material includes bacteria and debris and is a known source of bad breath. In fact bad breath will be significantly improved by adding this one routine to your home care.

The best tongue cleaner will have a combination of a soft, microfiber bristle and a harder “scraper” to remove the loosened debris from using the bristles.  Orabrush Tongue Cleaner from Orabrush has the perfect combination. 

A tongue cleaner is used to brush and scrape the top surface of the tongue simultaneously for a short period of time (less than 30 seconds is adequate). By pressing down on the cleaner and moving the cleaner from the back of the mouth toward the tip of the tongue you will remove undesirable bacteria and debris.

Up to 90% of bad breath symptoms can originate from an unclean tongue.

Check Out Your Tongue Today!

If you notice anything unusual, please take the necessary precaution and schedule a visit with your physician to be evaluated. By simply sticking out your tongue you can get a glimpse of your overall health.

Be aware of what a healthy tongue looks like and take note of the 3 signs of an unhealthy tongue. These include unusual color, coating or texture.

I invite you to invest in a quality tongue cleaner to add to your home care and experience improved oral hygiene yourself!

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have and please feel free to share your comments involving your own experiences.

 

 

 

 

 

There are a growing trend in oral health care. This is a practice called coconut oil pulling and it is nothing new. This practice has actually been around for over 3000 years and it is a type of traditional Indian practice called Ayurvedic medicine.

Studies suggest oil pulling removes bacteria in the mouth, reduces cavities, improves bad breath and improves gum health and other oral health conditions.

The idea involves swishing a teaspoon to tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth up to 20 minutes and then spitting it out. There are 5 things you need to know about this practice.

1. Does Coconut Oil Pulling Work and How?

Certain types of harmful bacteria in the mouth contribute to conditions such as gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath. Oil pulling with coconut oil is very effective at reducing these conditions.

The majority of the bacteria that cause these are called Streptococcus Mutans. These microorganisms consist of a single cell and are covered by an outer membrane comprised of a lipid or fatty membrane which is the bacterial cell’s skin.

When the coconut oil (or fat) is swished in the mouth it naturally adheres to the fatty outer layer of the bacteria which attracts it out and away from the oral cavity.

2. The Proper Way to Do It

There are other oils that can be used for oil pulling such as sunflower or sesame oil. However, coconut oil is most recommended due to it content of lauric acid. Lauric acid has been found to have antimicrobial properties that also benefit the oral cavity.  Learn more about coconut oil here from Wikipedia.

Most people start with one teaspoon to one tablespoon of coconut oil at a time. You will want to place it in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. Gently swish, pull and suck the oil through your teeth.

Some people have a hard time holding this in their mouth for that long of a time so you may want to start with 10 to 15 minutes and work your way up to the recommended time. During this time the fat will liquify and pull the impurities from the mucous membranes of your oral cavity.

3. Tips for Afterwards

Make sure to spit the oil into the trash afterwards and not into the sink. If it goes into the sink, it may clog the pipes. Afterwards it is recommended to brush and floss as you normally would as part of your daily oral hygiene routine.

There are no restrictions on eating or drinking afterwards. If you wish, you can follow this practice by swishing with warm salt water. However, this is not necessary as any of the residue will be removed with your normal brushing routine.

4. What Will It Do?

There’s a lot of misconception about what coconut oil pulling can and cannot do. It is very effective at reducing gingivitis. An overgrowth of bacteria will cause red, tender and inflamed gums that bleed easily. This is called gingivitis. It is a reversible condition and can be treated when bacteria are sufficiently killed or removed.

It may help remineralize enamel. Our teeth are designed to remineralize themselves but only in the absence of cavity causing bacteria. Coconut oil pulling ensures that bad cavity causing bacteria are eliminated while beneficial bacteria are allowed to thrive.

Coconut oil has more than antibacterial properties. It also has anti-fungal properties. This means it kills the Candida yeast that live in the mouth. An overgrowth of Candida can cause an infection called oral thrush.

This condition is most often seen by people taking medications altering the natural microbiome such as steroids or antibiotics. People undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, using inhalers for asthma or those who wear dentures are at increased risk for Candida infections.

Unlike mouthwash, which can dry out the mouth with its alcohol content, oil pulling supports our saliva’s efforts. Our saliva has minerals in it so it helps to remineralize our teeth and at the same time it washes away bacteria that cause bad breath.

In this way, coconut oil pulling helps to reduce bad breath. It disorganizes the bacteria without killing the good bacteria and drying out the mouth as most mouthwashes do.

5. What Won’t It Do?

Coconut oil doesn’t whiten teeth. Some people swear by the whitening properties of oil pulling. However, no clinical studies have proven that the shade of the enamel has actually lightened. It might help improve the appearance of the teeth by removing stains and reducing plaque buildup but does not actually whiten teeth.

Ayurvedic medicine has many claims of more than 30 conditions that oil pulling will treat or cure. Many people swear by improvements they have seen in their own health conditions.

Some of these conditions range from arthritis, asthma, diabetes, migraines and even hangovers. To date there is no scientific evidence supporting the claims that conditions other than in the mouth will be treated or cured.

Oil pulling will not replace good oral hygiene habits of brushing and flossing. It should only be considered an adjunct to your normal oral hygiene routine of reducing plaque and cavity causing bacteria.

Try It For Yourself!

 I invite you to share your comments and stories below with your personal experiences. As a Dental Hygienist, I have seen many very positive outcomes from my patients but would like to hear more! I have included a link to an all natural, organic and cold pressed coconut oil on Amazon here if you need help choosing the best product to use.