Bad breath, or halitosis, comes from many sources. First, there could be a health condition that is contributing. If you have not had a recent physical with your physician of choice, we highly recommend it. For most people, bad breath may be coming from your teeth or gums or most often from bacteria colonizing on the back of the tongue. Your tongue harbors 85% of the bacteria in your mouth, and if not cleaned regularly, volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) can proliferate and create an odor you are uncomfortable with.

We have several suggestions for you to try to combat this problem. Mouth rinses (chlorine dioxide) and tongue scrapers help get rid of the bacteria that cause these odors. Regular tongue scraping with an instrument specially made for that task is helpful for they tend not to trigger that awful "gag" reflex as much as a regular toothbrush. Another method for ridding your mouth of those VSCs is by rinsing regularly with a stabilized chlorine dioxide mouthwash. These can be bought through our office.

If you would like to discuss ways of freshening your breath, inquire at your next appointment and we will be happy to try and help.

Tooth decay is not just a child’s problem. Adults of all ages can have cavities, too. The causes for tooth decay are the same for everyone, regardless of age. Decay results when the bacteria in plaque feed on the carbohydrates (sugar and starch) in our diet to produce acids that can cause cavities.

Yet, the nature of the decay problem does change somewhat as people grow older. Adults are more likely to have decay around older fillings, and because many adults grew up without the benefits of fluoride, they may have many more fillings. Decay of the tooth root is also common among older adults. Root caries (decay) occur when the gums recede, exposing the softer root surface, which decays more easily than tooth enamel.

Tooth decay is also promoted by dry mouth. This condition -- called xerostomia -- occurs when the supply of saliva is greatly reduced. It can be caused by many types of medications (such as anti-histamines, anti-hypertensives, and anti-depressants) or radiation therapy to the head or neck. Saliva is needed to lubricate the mouth, wash foods away and neutralize the acids produced by plaque. Allowed to continue, dry mouth can lead to rampant tooth decay. If you think you have this problem, be sure to discuss it with your dentist or physician. They may recommend an artificial saliva and fluoride products to help prevent decay.

To know if tooth whitening is good for you, an examination must be performed to diagnose the reason your teeth are discolored, to rule out any active disease processes, and to evaluate the degree of discoloration. In our office, we use lab-fabricated custom-made whitening trays. With this method, you are able to control the degree of brightness you want at your own convenience! Tooth whitening involves the use of peroxide-based materials to whiten teeth. A peroxide-containing gel is placed inside your whitening trays and placed in your mouth for 4 hours/day or overnight. During this time, the gel works to oxidize and break down the stains lying within the surface layers of the tooth enamel.

It should be noted that before tooth whitening, your gums need to be healthy and decay eliminated. There has not been any evidence of long-term side effects from at-home bleaching. Short-term side effects are often mild tooth-sensitivity and/or gum irritation for which we may check the tray, your oral hygiene, or alter your bleaching regimen.

The amount of bleaching materials available today is overwhelming. In our office, we use only products that receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance-- meaning they satisfy stringent research requirements proving safety and effectiveness.

How do I care for my dentures?

GIVE YOUR DENTURES A BREAK: Dentures should remain out of the mouth for an eight-hour period during each twenty-four hours-- or overnight. This rest period is essential for the long-term health of the denture supporting tissues. Research has shown that certain pathologic conditions can occur if the dentures are worn continuously. The gums stay healthier and the jawbones shrink less with a daily period of rest. We recommend that you take your dentures out at night.

YOU BRUSHED YOUR TEETH, NOW BRUSH YOUR DENTURES. Dentures tend to collect even more food debris than natural teeth. Dentures must be removed from the mouth and cleaned after eating and before going to bed. The complete denture patient should have two brushes, a denture brush for cleaning the dentures and a soft toothbrush for brushing the gums and tongue. The denture brush has a small tuft of bristles on one side that helps clean inside the denture. Please do not use regular toothpaste on dentures. Regular toothpaste is abrasive and harmful to denture bases and teeth. Use a paste that is made specifically for denture or simply brush them with liquid soap or plain water. Since the plastic denture material is breakable, it is an excellent idea to brush the dentures over a sink partially filled with water. Dropping them into an empty sink has broken many dentures!

Remember that tartar or calculus can form on dentures just as on natural teeth. Stains and tartar generally do not form on dentures that are thoroughly brushed daily. Remember also that unclean dentures in an unclean mouth causes "denture breath".

Whenever dentures are out of the mouth they should be stored in clean water. Failure to keep dentures wet results in the material drying out and possible warpage can occur. Dentures should be stored overnight in a denture cup and a commercial cleaner may be used if desired. Such cleaners can make dentures taste and smell better but should not be considered a substitute for brushing.

As with natural teeth, the patient must care for their implant supported restorations on a daily basis. The goal is to remove the daily accumulation of plaque, which can form on implants as well as on natural teeth. We recommend that patients clean their implants at least once a day. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Brushing: Use a soft brush and massage the gums around the implant post, using a circular stroke. Toothpaste with the presence of glycosan may be beneficial for glycosan has been shown to reduce the bacteria known to cause gum disease. Gum disease can and does occur around implants just as it does with natural teeth.

2. Flossing: wide floss such as Superfloss of Glide is good for implants. Be sure and move the floss up and down the implant post as well as using a 'buffing' action.

3. Proxabrush: Shaped like a "Christmas Tree, it fits on the end of a handle and can be very helpful at removing plaque because of its ease of use and its ability to reach into some areas that even floss or a brush can't get to. It is best to touch the implants with the tufts only and try to avoid touching the posts with the metal shaft.

4.Regular dental visits to your dentist are necessary in order to maintain healthy implants. In the case of a denture supported by a bar, the bar should be removed at regular intervals, the implants cleaned and checked, and the bar replaced. We usually start our patients on a three-month cleaning interval, and then adjust as indicated. In the case of single implant supported crowns, we recommend the same cleaning interval as the remaining natural teeth. The dentist will use plastic cleaning instruments (scalers) on all implant-supported crowns. Metal instruments may leave small scratches that can attract plaque.

We recommend that radiographs (x-rays) be made of implant-supported restorations after the first year of use. This is done to assess the bone levels and general health of the implant(s).

Dr. Keith or Dr. Chao will be on call when the office is closed. If you are a patient of record you should call the main office phone number. There will be directions on how to contact us. A doctor or staff member will return your call as soon as possible.