Bad Breath
What Causes Bad Breath?
Caring for Your Smile
Bleaching
Bonding/Veneers
Crowns/Inlays/Onlays
Bridges
Implants
Tooth-colored Fillings

Bad Breath
Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by many things. It may be the result of odor-causing foods, tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, continued mouth dryness, use of tobacco products, sinus or respiratory infections, some medical disorders, inadequate oral hygiene or some medications. We can help you identify the cause and, if it's due to an oral condition, can develop a treatment plan to eliminate this common source of embarrassment.

What Causes Bad Breath?
What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.

If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. Dentures that are not cleaned properly can also harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.

One of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums. In the advanced stage of the disease, the gums, bone and other structures that support the teeth become damaged. With regular dental checkups, your dentist can detect and treat periodontal disease early.

Bad breath is also caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, we may prescribe an artificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake.

Tobacco products cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce one's ability to taste foods and irritate gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease and are at greater risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, we can facilitate tools on kicking the habit such as prescribing medications (Zyban).

Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract (nose throat, windpipe, lungs), chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If we determine that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause of bad breath. [ TOP ]

Caring for Your Smile
Eliminating periodontal disease and maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup (twice a year is recommended by American Dental Association). If you think you have constant bad breath, keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors. Let us know if you've had any surgery or illness since your last appointment.

Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between teeth. If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.

Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, inform us. If you need extra help in controlling plaque, your wet may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouthrinse. A fluoride mouthrinse, used along with brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay. [ TOP ]

Bleaching
The range of esthetic dentistry also includes tooth whitening, or bleaching. Some patients are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth, perhaps from staining caused by the use of tobacco, coffee and other beverages and foods. Discoloration also can be the result of aging, injury, excessive fluoride, certain illnesses and use of tetracycline, an antibiotic, in early childhood. Bleaching can remove many discolorations and stains, but some are harder to remove than others.

The procedure takes one hour and a half in our office, and teeth can become slightly sensitive just after the treatment. Bleaching features a chemical solution that is painted on the teeth, and a special light often is used at fifteen-minute intervals to help activate the solution, which is an oxidizing agent. In our office we use the latest technology in this field. We offer the Zoom Advanced Power system which on average whiten teeth by 8 to 13 shades, and the amount of sensitivity has been minimal.

The ADA does not recommend over-the-counter tooth bleaching products that are self-administered. Although such products may cost less, bleaching should be done only under the supervision of a dentist after an oral examination and diagnosis of the discolored teeth. Some people with certain dental conditions may not be good candidates for bleaching, such as patients with gum recession that has left sensitive tooth roots exposed. [ TOP ]

Bonding/Veneers
If your teeth are permanently stained or discolored, have gaps or are misshapen or slightly out of alignment, esthetic dentistry could be for you.

One possibility to make your smile dazzling is veneering, a popular procedure among both dentists and patients. Veneers are custom-made shells specially prepared to make teeth look completely natural. Affixed directly to the tooth with composite resins used in bonding, veneers can sometimes be applied without the need for an anesthetic. Materials used to make veneers include acrylic, composite resins and porcelain, the latter growing in use by leaps and bounds. No matter the material, the ultimate goal in selecting materials is durability, stain resistance and a natural look. New materials are being developed continuously, so let us help you choose the material that’s best for you.

Having a tooth veneered is a simple process that generally requires a few appointments. To provide room and help strengthen the veneer, a small layer of enamel usually is removed from the front of a tooth. Based on an impression taken of the tooth to be treated, the veneer is fabricated to meet the color and shape expectations of your teeth. When the veneer is ready to be placed, the tooth is prepared with a mild etching solution that roughens the surface and aids adhesion. Then, with composite resin cements, the veneer is set in place. [ TOP ]

Crowns/Inlays/Onlays
If you need more involved treatment that still looks natural, we can recommend a crown, inlay or onlay. A crown covers the entire tooth to strengthen and improve its appearance and is typically used when a tooth’s damage is beyond the scope of more conservative esthetic procedures mentioned earlier. However, if enough healthy tooth structure remains, we can conserve what’s left and restore the tooth to a natural appearance with an inlay, which fits within the contours of a tooth, or an onlay, which is similar but also covers some of the chewing surface of a tooth.

Crowns, inlays and onlays are typically fabricated from an alloy, a combination of metals. Alloys may contain precious metals such as gold and palladium. In either case, they are extremely durable, with many crowns lasting 20 years or more.

Crowns also can be made entirely of porcelain, or made with metal lining to which an outer layer of porcelain is fused. Crowns made entirely of ceramic also are available today. The best advice is to let us help you decide which crown works best for you. [ TOP ]

Bridges
A bridge may be recommended if you're missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. We can help you decide which to select, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. [ TOP ]

Implants
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a surgeon places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling. You may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants. Ask us if implant is right for you. [ TOP ]

Tooth-colored Fillings
If you want even your fillings to be invisible, composite resins can restore a decayed tooth or repair a defect. Mostly, composite resins are used on front teeth and back teeth such as molars. Composites are composed mainly of two primary ingredients: a binder of plastic resin and a filler of finely ground, glass-like particles that give them a lifelike appearance and durability. Composite fillings can be placed typically in one visit.

An alternative to composite resin for invisible tooth restoration is glass ionomers composed of fine glass particles. Like composites, glass ionomers can be used to fill cavities, particularly on exposed root surfaces that are composed of dentin, which is softer and more sensitive than tooth enamel, and also contains fluoride wich helps to prevent further decay formation. [ TOP ]