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Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, is actually more common than most people might think. Nearly half of all adults have had experience with it at some point or another. But what does this mean to you? Whether you currently have bad breath or not, here’s a short list of common causes and solutions that will help you both eliminate and prevent any further halitosis.

• Food

Besides the clear culprits of bad breath (onions, garlic, etc.), there’s a lot more than just the food itself that can cause it. When you eat food, your teeth, as well as the saliva your mouth produces,begins to break it down into smaller particles so that it’s easier for you to digest. While this is beneficial to how we absorb our food’s nutrients, it can also leave behind a strong odor. The best solution to get rid of bad breath from this more than common cause is to brush your teeth, floss, or use mouthwash after meals.

• Bacterial Infections

You are more likely to have less than nice breath whenever you’re sick, especially if you have infections in your mouth or throat, because of the bacteria. Other infections, such as mouth sores, or any other result from an oral disease can also cause bad breath. A good way to eliminate bacteria-causing bad breath is to use mouthwashes morning and night and to remember to brush or use a tongue scraper on your tongue frequently.

• Dry Mouth

One cure for bad breath actually already resides in your mouth: saliva. That’s right, believe it or not, saliva can help clean your mouth of small particles that could lead to bad breath. However, if you tend to have a dry mouth, you’re more likely to have bad breath. To increase the amount of saliva you produce while eliminating dry mouth, try eating foods with some crunch to it or foods that requires more chewing. Drinking water also helps keep your mouth from being parched.

Keep Up with Healthy Dental Habits!

As long as you remember to brush, floss, and use mouthwash appropriately, you can stop bad breath in its tracks before it ever becomes bothersome.

It is important to make oral health a priority every day. Even doing so, it is likely you will experience dental issues at some point in life. The key is prevention, by being proactive about maintaining your mouth health so that when problems arise, they can be easily treated and won’t develop into serious medical conditions.

Common dental issues

Some common dental issues can be tough to recognize in the early stages. Here are the top three concerns and how to avoid them:

1. Teeth staining: Over time teeth darken and may appear yellowish or gray. This unsightly discoloration is often caused by consuming richly pigmented foods and drinks such as blueberries, red wine, coffee and tea. Smoking and the use of certain antibiotics will also stain your teeth. Other factors include aging and genetics. Although you can’t eliminate discoloration completely, the best approach is to avoid foods and drinks that are known to stain teeth, stop smoking and thoroughly clean your teeth after eating. Also, keep your routine dental appointments and professional cleanings every six months.
2. Gingivitis: Symptoms of gingivitis are gum inflammation and bleeding, particularly while brushing your teeth. Left untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, a serious condition that spreads to the underlying tissue and bone.The best way to avoid developing this common dental problem is to simply clean your teeth properly, floss consistently and effectively, and see your dentist twice a year for professional teeth cleaning.
3. Halitosis:Better known as bad breath, halitosis is often caused by the foods we eat but is more commonly the result of poor oral hygiene. Like gingivitis, the solution to this dental issue is to improve your teeth cleaning habits. Brush your teeth and tongue thoroughly after each meal, floss correctly and get regular dental cleanings.

Clean your teeth!

With good teeth cleaning habits and regular dentist visits you can prevent avoidable dental issues. Many dental problems start out easily treatable, but if left undetected and untreated, progress to serious medical conditions that can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and internal diseases.

Good news! According to the American Dental Association (ADA), Americans in their golden years are now keeping their natural teeth longer than any other time.  The average number of teeth that older people are retaining is growing.

However, as these individuals hold on to their teeth longer, more problems are likely to develop. This is all the more reason why routine dental exams are so vital to maintaining oral health.  Some common teeth problems for older people and solutions are discussed as follows:

People over 50 can still develop cavities

• Problem: Tooth decay isn’t just for kids. Older adults can get cavities on tooth surfaces that have never been a problem in the past. They can also develop at the root of a tooth or around an old filling. As people age, teeth roots soften and often become more exposed.
• Solution: Fluoride treatment isn’t reserved for children either; it is one of the 10 most essential health measures to come out of the 20^th Most people in the U.S. have fluorinated tap water. If you are not part of that 80 percent, try adding a fluoride rinse to your daily oral hygiene regime to avoid teeth problems. If necessary, your dentist may prescribe a gel with a stronger fluoride concentration. If you have fluoridated water and are suddenly starting to develop cavities, a dentist-recommended fluoride rinse may be the best solution.

A decrease in saliva production

• Problem: Dry mouth is often a side effect of many prescription medications. As people grow older, they tend to require more prescriptions to function properly. Smoking and certain head injuries can also lead to salivary gland damage, resulting in dry mouth. Sufficient saliva production is your mouth’s best defense against tooth decay. If you are not producing enough, you may be at risk for decay and cavities. Signs of dry mouth include chapped lips, throat dryness and trouble swallowing, persistent foul breath or a metallic taste in your mouth.
• Solution: Stimulate saliva production by sipping water throughout the day or by chewing sugarless gum or candy with Xylitol. A saliva substitute might be prescribed by your dentists or an over-the-counter remedy may be suggested.

Untreated gum disease

• Problem: Gingivitis is characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed easily. This is an early stage of gum disease. If this dangerous condition progresses it becomes periodontitis, where the gum pulls away from the tooth allowing for pockets of infection. Eventually, bone loss occurs in the jaw resulting in the loss of teeth.
• Solution: Routine dental check-ups are the best way to monitor your oral health. More frequent professional teeth cleanings may be necessary to ward off the further development of the condition. People who practice good oral habits and keep up with routine dental visits are less likely to develop gum disease.

Teeth shifting with age

• Problem: Shifting teeth are just another part of the aging process. If you have been noticing food getting stuck in new areas in your mouth or if your teeth are starting to overlap, you probably have shifting teeth. Teeth shifting with age can be problematic because it makes them harder to clean. Also, misaligned teeth are more prone to teeth erosion and possible damage to the supporting bone and underlying tissues. Combined with older adult’s tendency to develop gum disease, shifting teeth may accelerate tooth loss.
• Solution: Orthodontic care may be the answer to fixing a problem with shifting teeth. You may need to be fitted for a spacer, retainer or possibly braces in severe cases. Your dentist will discuss the best treatment options with you. You may only need to have your teeth cleaned more frequently.

Frolicking and splashing in a cool swimming pool on a hot summer day brings joy to kids and adults alike. It is refreshing and lap swimming is a great form of exercise. When the school year ends, many kids head to camp sessions with daily swim lessons and open pool time. Folks fortunate enough to own pools on their private property can take the plunge and indulge any time the desire take hold.

Can a swimming pool cause tooth damage?

These wet basins of joy offer much fun and opportunity for a variety of recreational activities, but frequent exposure to pool water can put your dental health at risk. Besides dehydrating your skin and turning light hair green, one of the downfalls of regular swimming pool exposure is the possibility of damaging tooth enamel.

It has been reported both by NYU researchers and The Academy of General Dentistry that extended exposure to pool water that hasn’t been well balanced can lead to brown stains on the teeth and tooth erosion. In addition, almost 750 professional swimmers between 1986 and today were surveyed. It was discovered that almost 40 percent of them had experienced tooth enamel damage due to swimming pool exposure. The survey results were published in The American Journal of Epidemiology.

Does alkaline pool water promote brown tooth stains?

Pools need to be maintained at a safe pH level of approximately 7.5. The water will become an alkaline if it reaches more than 7.8. Research has shown that when kids and adults spend more than six hours per week in an alkaline swimming pool the risk for developing brown stains on teeth increases. This unsightly discoloration results from the mixture of high pH pool water and the minerals inside the mouth. This combination becomes a dangerous substance that breaks down proteins in saliva.

Can brown tooth stains be professionally removed?

Fortunately, brown stains on the teeth from swimming are reversible with a proper cleaning. If you notice discoloration beginning to develop on your teeth or a loved one’s teeth, schedule a dental appointment immediately. Sometimes more frequent professional dental cleanings are necessary, particularly during warm seasons or anytime pool water exposure is most frequent. Also, it is very important to keep the pool’s pH level balanced correctly.

At what pH level does swimming pool water become an acid environment?

A pH balance that is too high is one problem, too low of a pH level is quite another. Anything below 7.2 is a damaging acid environment. When your eyes burn and you the pool has a strong chemical odor, the pH level is too low. This doesn’t always mean there is too much chlorine in the water. Acidic swimming pool water is irritating to your skin and very corrosive to your tooth enamel.

Everyone who swims in acid level pool water for a few hours per week is susceptible to irreversible tooth enamel erosion. This result has been proven conclusively through case studies. One report demonstrated an incident where the damage occurred in only two weeks of exposure. If you or your child swims laps regularly or participates on a team, be aware of increased sensitivity, and consistently check your teeth and your youngster’s teeth routinely for brown stains or other changes in tooth enamel.

A common canker sore is a painful mouth ulcer that most people will experience at one time or another. A patch of red skin will become present first, and gradually become more inflamed. A white or yellow spot will develop in the middle. Sufferers need to find canker sore relief to be able to chew and speak properly.

Canker Sore Causes

These bothersome sores are sometimes caused by bad habits, like biting the inside of your lip or cheek. Ill-fitting orthodontic appliances are another culprit. Other times, internal factors come into play, like stress, genetics, and a compromised immune system. But still, these irritating spots are best known for popping up for no identifiable reason.

Fortunately, there are effective home remedies for canker sores that you may already have on hand. If you are susceptible to spontaneous outbreaks and need canker sore relief from time to time, consider experimenting with the following easy remedies.

Home Remedies for Canker Sores

• • Chamomile Tea: Chamomile is a plant similar to a daisy. It is widely used to promote a calming effect or encourage sleep. This herbal remedy can also help with digestive issues. German chamomile contains an essential oil known as bisabolol or levomenol. This naturally occurring compound is used as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. Treatment with a chamomile tea bag will help ease canker sore pain and possibly accelerate healing.
  • Numbing Spray: Both of the essential oils of peppermint and eucalyptus offer anti-inflammatory properties and protection against infection. They also provide a cooling effect to help ease discomfort. To create a therapeutic spray, start with about two tablespoons of either olive or grapeseed oil and pour into a glass mister bottle. Add 8-10 drops each of the essentials oils and shake very well. Spray directly onto the affected area.
  • Coconut Oil: Coconut oil treatment is one of the best ways to get rid of canker sores. This holistic powerhouse helps reduce inflammation, fight infection and is easy to apply. With either your clean hands or a cotton swab, dab a generous dose of coconut oil directly onto the sore. If you find the oil is too runny, melt one tablespoon of it with about half that amount of beeswax to compose a thicker layer.

• Raw Honey: Honey has been used as a potent first aid salve since ancient times. Like the previous canker sore remedies, it offers an anti-bacterial barrier and anti-inflammatory therapy. Simply rinse your mouth with warm water and then dab a thick layer of honey onto the sore. Repeat two or three times per day.
• Yogurt: Eating yogurt every day can help balance bacteria levels in your mouth. A product of fermented milk, yogurt is often used to help populate the gut with healthy bacteria. An overgrowth of bad bacteria in the mouth may lead to the development of canker sores. It is important to use plain yogurt rich in active cultures. Take in at least one tablespoon three times per day. It can be helpful to take in a full cup serving with a touch of raw honey for added healing benefits.

Additional Tips

Limit or omit acidic foods from your diet when you are experiencing a canker sore outbreak. Acid rich foods can trigger the onset of sores and hinder healing. However, some highly acidic juices, like lemon juice, have been helpful at promoting healing. Determine which treatment options work best for you by trial and error, and try to pinpoint your triggers.

Pregnancy brings many changes to the female body. One you may not expect is changes in your oral health. Surging hormones can cause your gum tissues to magnify a normal reaction to plaque. The increase of progesterone may encourage bacteria growth, causing pregnancy gingivitis. Symptoms are noticeable around the second month of pregnancy.

Gums are red and swollen, and may bleed during brushing. This discomfort will generally not cease until after the birth. With proper oral hygiene at home and visits to your dental clinic, your teeth should remain healthy throughout pregnancy.

Prevent Enamel Erosion

Vomiting exposes teeth to corrosive stomach acids. Repeated regurgitating will break down enamel, increasing the probability of decay. The highly acidic vomit softens enamel, leaving it susceptible to damage. Even gently brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush is a bad idea. Rinse with plain water, followed by a good fluoridated mouthwash. Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.

Hydrate a Dry Mouth

Pregnancy-induced hormone shifts can also lead to a decrease in saliva. This is uncomfortable, and bad for your oral health. Saliva washes away debris and controls bacteria in your mouth. If you are not producing enough, your teeth and gums are more prone to plaque buildup, cavities and pregnancy gingivitis. Drink plenty of water and swish it around your mouth to wash away bacteria and keep dry mouth under control.

It is very important to be diligent about oral hygiene during pregnancy. Dental care should include brushing with a quality toothbrush for two full minutes twice daily, flossing daily and using an antimicrobial, fluoridated mouthwash.

In addition, healthy eating should be a priority, for both a healthy pregnancy and maintaining oral health. Consuming greens, carrots, nuts and milk are associated with healthy teeth and gums. Stay away from foods that are high in sugar and starch, which create a friendly environment for bacteria. Also, visit your dentist regularly and keep him/her up-to-date with your current stage of pregnancy.