What Else Could Your Bad Breath Mean?
Wednesday, June 17th, 2015
Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, can be an embarrassing problem. But did you know that bad breath can also be a sign of other health problems?
Bad breath has a number of causes, the most common being poor oral and dental hygiene. If you have a poor dental routine then bacteria will build up in your mouth which can result in plaque, tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing your teeth, flossing and cleaning your tongue will help you to remove these bacteria.
Bad breath may also be caused by your habits. Smoking and consuming strongly flavoured foods and drinks such as garlic, alcohol and coffee may cause bad breath. This type of bad breath is generally temporary and can be remedied with good dental care and regularly visiting your dentist.
You may also experience bad breath as a result of crash dieting. Dramatically altering the foods you consume, either by through a low-carbohydrate diet or fasting causes your body to break down fat, producing chemicals called ketones which smell.
Bad breath is an embarrassing problem to have but did you know that it could also be a sign of other health issues? Halitosis has been found to be a sign of a number of health problems including: stomach cancer, lung cancer, kidney failure, diabetes and gum disease. Your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body and any problems you are experiencing there may be an indication of a more serious problem. If you have noticed any change in your oral health you should make an appointment to visit your dentist who will be able to advise you.
You can prevent or reduce your bad breath by following a number of steps:
If you are concerned about your dental health the contact the Brite Dental team. Our clinical care team is here to look after you and your dental health needs. We have practices in four locations and offer both NHS and cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Your Dental Health During Pregnancy
Thursday, June 11th, 2015
Pregnancy can lead to dental problems in women, including an increased risk of tooth decay and an increased chance of developing gingivitis (gum disease). These problems can in turn affect your delivery, with studies showing that as many as 18 out of every 100 premature births may be triggered by gum disease.
It is always important to take proper care of your teeth and gums. However, if you are pregnant it is even more essential that you do all you can to avoid gum disease and other dental problems. Your baby’s teeth and mouth start to develop in the first weeks of pregnancy so by taking good care of your own oral health you will, in turn, help support the correct development of your baby’s dental health.
You may find that your experience unusual food cravings (or avoidance) during your pregnancy. It may also be the case that you have increased cravings for sugary foods. Snacking on sugary foods too often is bad for your teeth and can lead to an increased chance of tooth decay. You should try to snack on low-sugar alternatives where possible. However if you are finding it difficult to avoid your cravings then you should always rinse your mouth out with milk or water after consuming sugary food and drinks to stop plaque building up on your teeth.
During your pregnancy you will need an increased amount of certain vitamins. Calcium in particular is important not only to help your developing baby but also to protect your own bone mass. Vitamin D is important as well as it help the body utilise calcium. You can find calcium in yoghurt, milk and cheese and Vitamin D in eggs, fatty fish including salmon and margarine. During your pregnancy you should look to increase the amounts of these foods you are consuming.
During your pregnancy your body will have increased hormone levels which can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque. In fact, 40% of women will develop gum disease as some point in their pregnancy.
Research has also indicated a connection between gum disease and premature births and low birth weight. If your baby is born prematurely they could have problems with their hearing and eyesight and are at risk of health conditions such as cerebral palsy. If you experience soreness, swelling, pregnancy tumours (growths between your teeth) or bleeding gums you may be showing the first signs of gum disease It is imperative that if you experience any of these symptoms that you visit your dentist.
It is often the case that hormones produced during pregnancy will soften the ring of muscle that keeps your food inside your stomach. As a result, you may experience morning sickness or gastric reflux during your pregnancy which will lead to your teeth becoming coated with stomach acids. If this happens repeatedly during your pregnancy you can damage your tooth enamel which can lead to an increased chance of tooth decay. If tooth decay is left untreated you may require root canal treatment.
To ensure your teeth are not affected by morning sickness you should rinse your mouth out thoroughly with tap water and follow up with a fluoridated mouthwash. Whilst it will be tempting to brush your teeth straight away you should try and wait at least an hour as your stomach acids weaken your teeth and brushing straight away can damage your teeth.
It may also be the case that brushing your teeth is affecting your gag reflex. If you are experiencing this problem then you can try using a toothbrush with a smaller head, try distractions whilst brushing including listening to music, or simply slowing down your brushing action.
Pregnancy can be a difficult time for your health in a variety of ways. If you are trying to become pregnant then you should consider your current dental hygiene routine. You are less likely to develop dental problems during your pregnancy if you already maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Correct dental treatment during pregnancy was found in one study to reduce the risk of premature birth by over 80 percent.
Dental care is provided for free by the NHS during your pregnancy and for one year after your due date. You simply need to fill out a FW8 form to apply for a maternity exemption certificate (MatEx). To find out more you can contact Brite Dental NHS Dentist and Cosmetic Dentistry in Scotland.
Why is Oral Hygiene Important?
Friday, November 28th, 2014
Proper oral hygiene is essential for living a healthy and happy life. If you neglect your teeth and oral hygiene, it’s likely that you’ll experience levels of pain, discomfort that will have a significant impact on your daily life and mental well-being.
In addition, having missing, damaged or cracked teeth can negatively impact our self-confidence and mental well-being, highlighting that oral hygiene is extremely important if we want to create a happy, care-free lifestyle.
This article looks further into the question of why oral hygiene is important, giving helpful advice, tips and tricks on how to improve your oral hygiene and look after your teeth so they remain in great condition for many years to come.
If you would like to have beautiful and healthy teeth throughout your life, we would recommend visiting your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and having your teeth scaled and polished by a professional dental hygienist.
Another thing that will help keep your smile healthy is reducing your consumption of sugary, salty and acidy foods and drinks. Improving your diet and keeping sugary treats to a minimum (I.e. only once after dinner time) can vastly improve your oral health.
As a dental clinic, we want you to have the best possible oral health, so here are some more helpful tips to help you improve your oral hygiene:
Remember, good oral hygiene habits are essential for maintaining a healthy smile. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our dental clinic for further advice and guidance.
We’re told from a young age that we need to brush our teeth regularly and look after our teeth properly, but why are teeth so important?
You may think you know the answer; Without healthy teeth, we cannot chew and eat the foods that we love. However, whilst this is certainly one reason why teeth are important, it isn’t the only answer!
Teeth also play a vital role in many other areas, including speech, facial structure and our physical appearance. In addition, without a healthy, attractive smile our self-confidence may suffer and our mental well-being can take a hit.
There are several reasons why teeth are important, including:
As we can see, keeping on top of our oral health and ensuring our teeth are clean, healthy and happy will have a positive impact on our overall well-being.
Not only will healthy teeth help us maintain a good level of physical health but they will also improve our appearance and with it, ensure a good level of self-confidence and mental well-being.
It is vital to get into a regular habit of cleaning your teeth if you wish to maintain a good level of oral hygiene. We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes at a time.
Whilst you don’t need to buy expensive toothpaste to make your teeth healthy, you do need to make sure that your toothpaste has fluoride in it. Regularly change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. If you use an electric toothbrush. change the heads at the same rate. Make sure to brush either before or an hour after eating or drinking acidy drinks such as juice or wine in order to prevent teeth erosion.
We also strongly recommend flossing regularly, as brushing on its own will not fully clean the teeth and gums. Without flossing, plaque buildup or stray food particles will be left between teeth.
Some additional tips for looking after your teeth include:
The last point is one we cannot stress enough. Even with a great level of oral hygiene, serious issues can still be missed if you neglect visiting a professional dental clinic.
Having a dental check-up every 6 months will allow your dentist to spot any emerging issues and deal with them before they turn into a serious problem. If you find that cosmetic dentistry treatments are needed, remember we offer a fantastic dental finance plan that helps make necessary treatments more affordable.
Why not get ahead of the game and book your next dental checkup today via the Brite Dental website?
That way, you can relax knowing that your teeth will be checked, monitored and evaluated by a professional, giving you peace of mind that any pesky issues will be dealt with quickly, efficiently and effectively.
Book or join the practice the Brite Dental practice that suits you best and take a step towards a happier, healthier smile.