Tag Archives: dental hygiene

Bad Breath

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Bad breath or halitosis can be embarrassing and, in some cases, can cause anxiety.

Bad breath that doesn’t go away means you have an oral health issue or a condition affecting another body part.

The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral health. Without proper oral hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings, harmful bacteria invade the mouth and multiply out of control. This leads to several oral health issues, including halitosis, cavities, and gum disease.

Poor oral hygiene isn’t the only cause of bad breath. Several other conditions can cause bad breath, including:

  • Dry mouth
  • Food
  • Head and neck cancers
  • Tobacco products
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Tonsil stones
  • Gum disease
  • Infections in your nose, throat, or lungs
  • Diabetes
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Medicines
  • Sjögren’s syndrome

The main symptom of bad breath is a foul-smelling odor that comes from the mouth. The odor can be strong enough for other people to notice.

To diagnose bad breath, a dentist will smell the breath from your mouth and nose and rate the odor on a scale. The back of the tongue most often causes the smell, so they may also scrape it to rate its odor.

When treating bad breath, regularly cleaning your mouth and teeth can reduce bad breath, help avoid cavities, and lower the risk of gum disease. Further treatment for bad breath can vary. If your dentist thinks another health condition is causing your bad breath, you will likely need to see your primary care physician or a specialist.

Your dentist will work with you to help you better control bad breath caused by mouth issues. These dental measures can include:

  • Mouth rinses and toothpastes
  • Treatment of dental disease

Ways to reduce or prevent bad breath include the following:

  • Brushing your teeth after you eat
  • Flossing at least once a day
  • Brushing your tongue
  • Cleaning bridges, dentures, retainers, and mouthguards
  • Keeping your mouth moist
  • Changing your diet
  • Replacing your toothbrush
  • Scheduling regular dental checkups

If you’re experiencing bad breath, it is important to visit a dentist to ensure you’re receiving the most effective treatment possible. To schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Dental Medicine, please call (718) 670-5521.

 

 

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

5 Reasons Why Dental Hygiene Matters

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October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Flushing Hospital wants you to think beyond your teeth and gums and learn how good oral care has some surprising benefits for your overall health.

Here are five surprising reasons why oral care matters for a healthy body.

  • Healthy gums for a healthier heart

One health concern may lead to another. Studies have linked oral inflammatory disease with elevated heart disease risk. Gum disease from extended bacterial exposure can lead to cardiovascular disease as it may increase the inflammation level throughout the body. Your dentist should ask about your heart health and family history of heart disease.

  • A healthy mouth could mean a healthier pregnancy

Regular checkups with a dentist and hygienist become even more important during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should take extra care to keep their teeth at their best, not just for themselves, but for their babies too. Pregnant women with poor oral health may be at higher risk of delivering pre-term, low birth weight babies than pregnant women with good oral health.

  • There’s a link between gum disease and diabetes

People with diabetes are more prone to gum disease. However, new studies suggest that serious gum disease may actually contribute to diabetes as it affects blood glucose control. This two-way link is a wake-up call to take care of your teeth, especially since the incidence of diabetes is rising.

  • Early screening for Oral Cancer

As part of regular examinations, dentists should check all soft tissues to ensure they are healthy. All dentists are trained to do a cancer screening as part of ongoing dental checkups, by inspecting the gums, tongue, lips and cheeks for anything suspicious or any unusual changes. A precancerous lesion can begin as a small white or dark red patch that may not be causing you any noticeable symptoms. Keep in mind that only about one-half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years, so detecting early signs of the disease is crucial.

  • Trying to lose weight? Brush your teeth!

Brushing your teeth signals you have finished eating and may help with portion control. Use this trick to your advantage – have a healthy meal and then, before you are tempted to overeat or indulge in sweet desserts, go and brush your teeth. This will tell your brain that mealtime is over. While brushing cleans your teeth and freshens your breath.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.