It’s tough to decide what to say to someone with halitosis (bad breath). Do you tell them and hope they thank you for pointing out the issue or do you keep quiet for fear of a negative response? In the former situation, you’ve helped the poor guy (or girl, let’s not single out the men here) out, but in the latter, just think of the countless others you’ve now subjected to a face full of nasty!
Whatever way you slice it, it’s an issue that plagues just about everyone at some point in our lives. So what are some steps to avoid having the nastiest breath out there? We have some recommendations to eliminate bad breath:
1. Avoid Mouthwash – What? Did you just say AVOID Mouthwash? Yes we did. Most mouthwash is made up of a flavoring, alcohol, and dye, and when you use it, the weakest bacteria die, and the strongest survive, slowly building a superculture of bacteria in your mouth. Using mouthwash too often may also irritate the delicate membranes in your mouth.
2. Practice proper dental care – This one is a no-brainer, but people still need to be reminded of this. We once had a patient that had such awful sweaters on his teeth, Dr. Ash considered refusing service, and he’s not even a dentist! Of course, this guy’s breath was beyond terrible and there was a host of other issues past the teeth (good heart health starts with good dental hygiene).
Brushing the teeth and flossing are of course a huge part of this. Food gets stuck between the teeth and decomposes, causing odor. That’s why flossing is such a critical part of your daily regimen. You don’t want stuff decomposing in your mouth, do you? Also, brushing the tongue has been shown to diminish bad breath more than brushing the teeth. Not that you should neglect your choppers, just add this to the repertoire
3. Foods you should avoid – Garlic (the list always starts here) onions, hot peppers, cheeses (especially blue cheese, Camembert, and Roquefort), spicy oily meats including pastrami, pepperoni, and salami, and oily fish like anchovies. Drinks that can cause problems with your breath include coffee, beer, wine, and whiskey especially, but most alcohol will give you a higher likelihood of bad breath. And cigarettes … do we really even need to mention this?
4. Foods you can eat – From MSN: Some halitosis-fighting herbs include: coriander, spearmint, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary and cardamom. Crunchy fruits and vegetables that incite saliva production: Apples, carrots and celery. Vitamin C-rich foods that create an inhospitable environment for bacteria: berries, citrus fruits, and melons. Even sugarless gum can work just fine to mask odors in a pinch!
If you continue to have really bad breath after you’ve made all these changes, it could be symbolic of another issue going on behind the scenes such as an untreated infection somewhere in your body. As always, see a doctor if the problems persist!
I was speaking with a dental hygienist recently and I was shocked to find out that some dentists are still putting mercury in people;s mouths. She is well educated and understands the potential toxicity that can come from mercury fillings. While she is an employee and not in a position to change the opinions of some dentists (she is a contractor and works for several dentists), she said if someone were to ask here directly her opinion, she would have to be true to what she believes and let them know that she wold personally never put any mercury in her mouth.
Don’t take my opinion however, check out this video from the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology which discussed how mercury negatively impacts the body.
Next time you are having a tooth filled, make sure you confirm that your dentist does not use mercury or composites which contain metals. If they insist on using substances that are detrimental to your health, insist on a new dentist; ideally a holistic dentist.
When researching dental care plans, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. Often people do not know the right questions to ask. Considering the questions below might help you in determining the option for you:
• Who is eligible under the dental plan? Can dependents be added on to coverage?
• What kind of network does the plan provide? Is the network very restricted?
• How does this network of dentists compare to others? Are dentists easily-accessible?
• What percentage of the cost does the consumer have to cover?
• Are major dental services included in the plan? What about cosmetic dental procedures?
• Are there limitations and exclusions in the policy? Are there annual or lifetime caps?
• Will the dental plan allow consumers to see referred specialists?
• How long am I locked into the plan for? Can I make changes at any time if I am not happy?
You should know the answers to all of these questions before picking a dentist plan. A great way to get all of the answers is to talk to an insurance agent. Often agents can provide the information needed to help consumers make an educated decision before purchasing any sort of policy. Consumers have many different options when it comes to dental plans and hopefully they choose them wisely.
This guest post was written by Erinn Springer of InsureLane.com, an online provider of dental and health insurance services.
I thought it was fitting to share this bit of information on Presidents Day because it is actually the celebration of George Washington’s birthday. Growing up, I heard stories of George Washington having wooden teeth and I believe that perhaps parents came up with this myth at a PTA meeting to make sure they were all of the same page when it came to getting their kids to not eat candy and brush their teeth. They would say things like “if you keep eating, you will end up like George Washington with ALL WOODEN TEETH.” And yes, the thought of that is quite scary to a kid who thinks braces are bad enough.
Truth be told, George did have false teeth, but they were not made of wood. According to anthropologists, his false teeth (dentures) were made of gold, ivory, lead, human and animal teeth (horse and donkey teeth were common components). YIKES! I guess telling your kids that would be just as bad – especially the part about other human a donkey teeth. And lead? I guess they didn’t have the data that we have today, but of course there are those who still use mercury which is quite toxic.
According to this article, you can see a set of GW’s dentures at Mount Vernon or the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. The website also features a picture of George Washington’s dentures.
It’s a New Year, a time for all family members, both young and old to renew their vows to take charge of their dental health! I’m Dr. Catrise Austin, “Dentist to the Stars”, owner of VIP Smiles, and author of a new dental consumer book called “5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile: How the stars get that perfect smile and how you can too!” I know that going to the dentist may seem like a family chore, but in these tough economic times keeping your family’s smile in tip top shape can not only save you money in future dental bills, but can keep your family in good overall health.
Early in my career, I had the pleasure of working for New York City’s Health and Hospital Corporation’s dental division. As a school dentist, I would visit various schools throughout New York City and with permission notes from their parents; I’d take care of the student’s full dental needs throughout the day —for free! I was amazed at times with the poor condition of many of the young children’s permanent teeth. It would literally break my heart to have to have to do a root canal or pull a permanent tooth of a middle school or high school aged child because of dental neglect or poor access to proper dental education and/or dental care. At the end of the day, I always blamed the parents for some of the dental disasters that I saw.
Oftentimes I think parents tend to underestimate the importance of dental health and the power of a smile not only for themselves, but for their children. Like many people across the land I’m sure many of you out there have attempted to take your smiles into your own hands and have avoided going to the dentist at all costs. Perhaps you just hate the dentist. Perhaps you’ve lost or never had dental benefits through your employer. Or perhaps your family has been hit with hard times and one or more family members have lost a job altogether leaving you with few options to pay for dental care. Whatever the case may be, avoiding the dentist or not taking proper care of your families’ teeth is a terrible mistake and can cost not only the appearance and health of your family’s smile, but also their overall health and quality of life. So my goal in 2010 is to educated more parents on what they need to do to arm their families with happy and healthy smiles.
Check Out My Top 5 Dental Disasters To Avoid:
Disaster #1: Tooth injuries:
Did you know that dental injuries are extremely common during sports activities? Any parents or children who participate in a sport that contains a chance of injury to the teeth, jaws, or oral soft tissues or which shows a potential risk of concussion could benefit from the use of a custom fitted mouth guard. An athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when not wearing a protective mouth guard. Over the years, I’ve personally treated hundreds of cracked teeth and have even replanted teeth that have been displaced during sports activities such as skiing, biking, karate, rollerblading, and of course the obvious sports like football and basketball. The average cost to replant a tooth and the follow-up dental treatment is about $5000 as opposed to the cost of $200 to protect your smile with a custom mouth guard (or much less for a store bought sports guard). So it’s important for family members who engage in sports activities to consider investing in this appliance to protect their smiles.
Disaster #2: Cavities
Cavities can not only be unsightly and painful, but can also be quite costly. There are several things that your entire family can do to avoid cavities including daily brushing and flossing, using fluoride pastes and rinses to clean your teeth, and drinking fluoridated tap water. In addition, I try to teach parents to read nutritional labels when making food choices. It’s important to pay close attention to the hidden sugars that are in your food and drinks to help prevent cavities.
Disaster #3—Tooth Loss:
Missing teeth can be quite cute when it happens naturally during early childhood. However, the presence of missing teeth in adults due to cavities or gum disease can totally ruin your smile. It pains me to see an adult with missing teeth, especially front teeth. Not sexy at all! Tooth loss can be prevented by proper home care as well as by seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. There are temporary short term options for replacing missing teeth as well as permanent solutions such as implants, dentures, and bridges. Replacing missing teeth can also prevent your teeth from shifting around and changing your bite.
Disaster #4: Gum disease:
Gum disease is one of the most unrecognized and untreated diseases of the mouth. As a matter of fact, 75% adults that visit the dentist are diagnosed with advanced gum disease. If you think your children are exempt, then you’re wrong! It’s important for you to know the signs and symptoms of active gum disease which is characterized by bleeding gums as well as gums that appear red in color, swollen, and tender upon touch. The truth is, early gum disease is silent and painless. If left untreated, early gum disease can lead to the other dental disasters such bad breath, tooth loss, and other serious health problems.
Disaster #5: Bad breath
There’s nothing funny about having bad breath! It can be quite offensive to friends, co-workers, classmates, and your mate. Trying to mask bad breath with gum, mints, or tongue strips is only a temporary fix. Bad breath found in children or adults is usually an indication of hidden bacteria being present in the mouth due to improper cleaning habits at home. It can be easily treated by your dentist with the repair of hidden cavities or with a routine cleaning.
Here’s what you and your family need to do to care for your smile. I recommend brushing 2-3 times a day with a soft bristled or electric toothbrush to fight bacteria and preserve the enamel on your tooth. Each family member should get in the habit of brushing in the morning as well as before bed. I’m sure that you’ve heard this time and time again, but flossing is equally as important as brushing–both must be done at home daily between dental visits. To make flossing easy on the family, pick up a bag of those pre-loaded floss sticks. They’re a cinch for both kids and adults to use (and yes, kids should be flossing too!). Visiting a dental hygienist and dentist team, every six months or as scheduled, is vital in maintaining cavity free teeth and healthy gums.
It doesn’t take a million bucks to smile. In my book I even share options on where to find low cost and even free dental care across the nation for those families who may be financially challenged. Ignoring your smile today will only lead to costly dental disasters tomorrow. So I encourage you to take charge of your dental health and make it a priority. If you’ve been guilty of putting off your next dental exam and professional cleaning, consider making an appointment ASAP. For more smile tips and your VIP pass to dental resources, pick up or click to order my new book “5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile: How the stars get that perfect smile and how you can too!” today.
This guest post was written by Dr. Catrise Austin. Dr. Austin owes her A-List career to a love of belly laughs. As a new dentist, Dr. Austin enjoyed many nights at the comedy clubs of New York City where she met up and coming comedians such as Chris Rock, Tracey Morgan, Mike Epps, and Dave Chappelle. Before you could say, “Brush after every meal” Dr. Austin was known as the “Dentist to the Stars”.
But Dr. Austin, who originally became a dentist because of how she felt as a young girl with a less-than-perfect smile, knew that great smiles weren’t just for Hollywood. So she wrote 5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile a primer of everything you need to know about having a great smile including rating your smile, a dictionary of dental services, how to find affordable dental services, and steps you can take at home to create a great smile. Pick up your copy today!
Brushing your teeth twice per day is a great habit, however brushing your teeth along will not keep you from developing plaque or other disorders of the mouth. Good dental hygiene including flossing at least once daily – and preferably at night – which will help to remove food particles and plaque from your teeth. The reason it is best to do this at night is so that your teeth do not have a build up of bacteria through the night as the food particles lay dormant between your teeth.
How important is flossing?
I will start out by sharing a discussion I recently had with my father. He told me that his dentist told him that if he flossed every day, he would not have a problems with his teeth. Of course, this was no guarantee, but my father took him seriously and at the age of 65 still have all of his original teeth and has never had a root canal (he has had a few small cavities filled however). I, on the other hand, have not always been an advocate of dental health, nor have I flossed consistently all of my life. The outcome for me? Several cavities and 3 root canals with crowns at a cost of over $4,000.
Why Flossing is Important
Flossing is the only way to remove plaque from your teeth because a toothbrush simply cannot get in between your teeth sufficiently enough to remove the plaque. Plaque build up can cause tooth decay, inflammation of the gums, periodontal disease, and other dental disorders. Plaque has also been connected to heart attacks and strokes with the theory that it can get into the blood steam from the mouth, which is why those with heart murmurs are often required to have antibiotics prior to having their teeth cleaned at the dentists office.
How Does One Floss Effectively?
First, make a commitment to do it every night knowing that you are doing what is best for your teeth, your overall health, and your wallet. Second, you can watch the video below which was created by a dental school that shows you specifically how do floss. You can use standard floss – the kind that you wind around your fingers, or you can use the flosser devices that aid in flossing.
As if the health insurance industry isn’t challenged enough, what is less often talked about is the fact that dental procedures can be very costly, and insurance often covers a smaller percentage of dental care than medical care. So what can you do to find affordable dental care?
1. Find a trusted dental provider. You want to find a dental provider that is not just in it for the money, but truly in the business to serve patients. I am not saying they should work for free, but if you hear the cash register ringing with every other word that comes out of the dentists mouth, you might want to get a second opinion.
2. Get dental insurance. Many companies don’t even offer dental insurance (or not very adequate insurance), but if you talk to a local insurance agent, they might be able to share with you some options for affordable insurance coverage.
3. Get a discount dental plan. These plans are not insurance, but allow you to get predetermined discounted rates and can save you up to 60% off of your dental services. Learn more about discount dental plans.
4. Practice good dental hygiene. If you brush and floss your teeth twice daily, you will have fewer dental emergencies and you should have fewer major dental incidents such as cavities and root canals.
5. Shop around. Especially when it comes to high end services such as veneers, braces, or crowns. These are very costly services, but there is also a range of prices for these services depending on the provider.
If you ever have any questions about finding affordable dental care or a local dental provider, feel free to contact us at info-at-familydentalguide.com.
FamilyDentalGuide.com is looking for dental professionals – in Phoenix and surrounding regions – that want to get free exposure by sharing their expertise with the community. We are preparing to launch the Phoenix dental provider directory (January 2010) and want to be able to provide not just great advice about dental care, but great advice coming from local dental professionals that they can actually go and see.
Here are some topics that we are currently seeking blog articles on:
- What causes pain in the teeth whitening process?
- Secrets to pain free dentistry.
- When to call the dentist? (Is there such a thing as benign tooth pain?)
- Any dental care advice (flossing, brushing, preventing gum disease)
- What smoking does to your teeth (besides discoloring them).
- Teeth grinding
- Non surgical relief from TMJ
- We will basically consider any dental related topic that you submit.
Each blog post or article that is used will contain a link back to the provider’s website or a phone number in the case where a provider does not have a website.
Ideally, we would like to hear from dentists, but if you represent a dental practice and the dentist is willing to sign a disclaimer, we can accept your article as well.
For more information or to submit a topic or article, please send an email to info(@)familydentalguide.com.
Dental schools routinely offer low cost or free dental care services to the public. The downside is that if you are getting treatment from a dental student it takes a lot longer than if you are going to a professional dentist. The main reason is that the student has to be supervised and the instructor may be taking time to help direct the student dentist and provide additional insight. Just yesterday, I had a friend who said his brother got “a lot of dental work done for just $250″ but said it took all day. In the end, he was still very happy because he saved quite a bit of money.
If you live near a dental school, this might be a great option to look into. Dental schools that are involved in clinical trials are ideal as you will be more likely to receive free dental services. Either way, just contact the school and ask whether or not they offer free dental services to the public. If not, ask if they offer discounted dental services, and most of all, ask very specific questions about costs of:
- initial consultation
- check up
- cleanings
- xrays
- the procedure
- sedation (if necessary)
This way there wil be fewer surprises once you arrive.
Here is a list of dental schools located on the American Dental Association website.
If you are looking for an alternative to costly dental insurance, please check our our discount dental plans which start at just $79.95 per year.
One of the driving forces in our nation is the spirit of volunteer service. In the dental community countless dentists, hygienists, and other support staff offer free dental care through free dental clinics. These clinics do not only serve the poor and the homeless, but also the working poor and the uninsured.
There are a few organizations that I want to highlight that work to put together these events in multiple states. You can check their websites to see if there is an upcoming clinic in your area.
America’s Dentists Care Foundation – http://www.adcfmom.org
Dentistry from the Heart – http://www.dentistryfromtheheart.org/
Give Kids a Smile (run by the American Dental Association) – http://gkas.org/
You can also check with your states dental association to find out what type of free (or discounted) clinics are offered in your state. The American Dental Association has a list of all state dental associations here – http://www.ada.org/ada/organizations/searchcons1.asp
If you have never seen what one of these events looks like, I wanted to share this video with you. It also gives you a look behind the scenes into what it takes to put such as event on.
If you are dental professional, I encourage you to get involved in one of these events as there is not much greater satisfaction that giving out of what we have.
If this article helps you or someone you know get the dental care that you need, we would love to hear about it.
If you are looking for an alternative to costly dental insurance, please check our our discount dental plans which start at just $79.95 per year.
Stay tuned for Part 3 of Free Dental Care Resources – Dental Schools
