Updated June 2021

What causes bad breath? How do you treat it? We’ve got a secret for you: the best solution to bad breath is preventative oral healthcare.

Bad breath matters to all of us. And whether you’re hanging out with your friends, ordering a pizza from your local takeaway joint, or entering an important meeting with your manager, the last thing you want to worry about is your breath. Let’s discuss.

Think you’re suffering from bad breath?

If you have bad breath, you might not notice it and that’s the scariest part. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Don’t believe us? It’s in the numbers.

• Nearly 60 million people will suffer from chronic halitosis (bad breath) in the United States
• Bad breath is the third most common reason patients visit the dentist
• Between 35-40% of people worldwide likely have bad breath
• Americans spend over $10 billion each year on oral hygiene products (i.e. gums, mouthwashes, toothpastes, etc.) to fight against bad breath
• Bad breath sufferers are 60% more likely to suffer from stress than non-sufferers
• 57% of bad breath sufferers report feelings of depression because of their problem

So don’t worry, you’re not alone. Having bad breath is typically normal. However, good oral hygiene practices and regular dentist checkups are your best first step at fighting bad breath.

What causes bad breath?

Bad breath is a self-explanatory term, isn’t it? It’s also called halitosis and here’s a list of some common causes of halitosis that you should consider:

• Problems with your dental health can be a major contributing factor. This can include gum disease, like periodontitis. Cavities are also a known contributor. 
• Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) can also cause bad breath. This condition is common after teeth removal.
• Poor oral hygiene –  If you don’t brush your teeth well, plaque can accumulate. In addition, you’ll also have food stuck between your teeth that can rot over time. The numerous bacteria in plaque combined with the rotting bits of food in your mouth cause the unpleasant odor.
• Infections in your mouth can lead to bad breath too, due to bacteria build-up. 
• Infections in your nasal cavity or throat. 
• Tonsil stones (calcium build up in your tonsils).
• Dry mouth, which can be caused by any number of factors.
• Poor diet and nutrition (crash dieting, fatty foods, processed foods)
• People who smoke tobacco can suffer from halitosis too. Tobacco products make your mouth dry. It also leaves behind an unpleasant odor in your mouth. 

There are health conditions that contribute to bad breath too. Some of these include:

• Gastric reflux
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Diabetes

How to get rid of bad breath

Freshening your breath starts with good oral hygiene steps — and these are super-important!  They include:

• Brushing twice a day
• Flossing 
• Using a high-quality mouth rinse
• Cleaning your tongue with a scraper
• Regular dentist visits to identify any preventative oral issues in their early stage
• Do not smoke
• Make sure you’re eating a complete and nutritious diet
• Visit your doctor yearly for an exam to make sure there are no underlying systemic conditions present, such as kidney disease, diabetes, gastric reflux,and etc.
• Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water and avoid dehydrating liquids such as tea, coffee and alcohol

Follow these steps and, over time, you may find your breath smells better for longer. 

Sometimes, however, even with a daily dental hygiene routine, you may still find that breath smells bad. In this case, it’s time to look at underlying causes. 

Identifying the cause behind halitosis is an important step. Keeping mints with you will only give you temporary relief. The underlying problem needs to be addressed, or you will continue to experience chronic halitosis. 

Dental hygiene is a process that includes many different factors, all working together to help keep your mouth and body healthy. 

When an underlying cause is leading to halitosis, the signs may develop gradually. You may find “morning breath” remains even after you brush your teeth. By the end of the day, you had to brush your teeth three times to keep your breath fresh. 

This is only the start. Without catching the cause early on, you could go on to develop a chronic problem with your breath. 

Dentists are experienced in identifying the common problem with your teeth, gums, and other parts of your mouth. And when you find a dentist for an examination, they can give you an indication of these diseases, even at earlier stages.

Regular dentist visits are important to treat bad breath

People often skip out on dentist appointments for lots of reasons. Some feel they don’t have the time; others are simply fearful. But when it comes to finding a dentist near you, it’s important to remember dentists aren’t just there to fix a toothache. They play key roles in preventing disease.

Halitosis often stems from oral conditions that can be prevented and caught early by your dentist. If you are continuing to experience bad breath despite having a regular oral hygiene routine, visit a dentist to help diagnose the cause.

Conclusion

Bad breath is unpleasant – for you and those around you. It can cause disruptions in conversations and eventually lead to self-esteem issues. There are treatments available to help fight against bad breath. But prevention is the best solution! And regular visits to your dentist are something you should never avoid.

The post Bad breath: Why preventative care is the best way to treat it appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Nearly everyone will be tempted to try natural teeth whitening eventually. Whether it’s to counter the look of yellowing that has developed over time or in preparation for a big event, teeth whitening can help. Maybe it’s due to poor brushing habits or not using an electric toothbrush, which can clean 100 percent better than a manual brush. Or it could be just bad luck.

These things happen but you’re not powerless against yellow teeth. Here’s a comprehensive guide on why teeth turn yellow, natural ways to whiten teeth, and how to prevent tooth staining. 

Common Reasons Teeth Turn Yellow

Worried about yellow teeth? We have good news. Oftentimes there’s a clear cause.

Generally, for teeth to go yellow it’s because of some bad habits connected to lifestyle. Drinking coffee or tea and smoking or chewing tobacco are all common culprits. On the other hand, certain diseases, medications or even genetics can sometimes play a role in tooth discoloration. 

Why is there good news? If the cause is related to lifestyle habits, that means you can also prevent your teeth from losing their white sparkle. More on that in a bit, in the meantime, here are some other factors that cause teeth to yellow.

Enamel Thinning

Tooth enamel is precious. It also makes for a white smile, since enamel is white, with the under-layer, known as dentin, yellow-brown. Unfortunately, enamel is also easy to damage, with the many ways it can happen including excessive soft drink consumption, acid reflux disease, and certain medications.

Stains

In 2016, a professor at Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine studied the outside factors that cause stains. Typically food, beverages, or other substances (like cigarettes) can create extrinsic stains while intrinsic stains are found deeper inside teeth.

This study noted how foods most likely to stain teeth include berries, popsicles, candies, pickles, soy sauce, curries, and tomato sauce. Don’t throw out your strawberries or spicy curry yet! You don’t have to avoid these foods, but knowing some of the big stain-causing contenders will help flag when you need to step up your dental care game — in the form of a thorough brushing — after eating.

But food isn’t the only culprit for teeth staining, according to A recent medical article medications like antibiotics can also cause stains.

Grinding

Are you grinding those pearly whites? That habit can wreak havoc on your teeth and eventually lead to stains. Mouth guards are a common solution for prevention and if left unchecked, grinding can cause enamel loss, fractured teeth, gum recession, and premature aging and yellow due to shrinking dentin. If you’re hoping to show off a bright, white smile but are grinding your teeth you’ll need to quickly address.

Age

To some extent, tooth yellowing can be unavoidable. Dentists state that as teeth age, dentin yellows naturally, causing teeth to change tone over time. If you wear down your enamel this is especially true, so protecting your tooth’s barrier today will help keep them white in the future. 

Intrinsic Factors

Like aging, intrinsic factors are mostly out of your control. But how can you tell if intrinsic factors are causing those yellow hues? Intrinsic stains develop deep inside the tooth and are sometimes caused by unhealthy habits, but they can also happen because of trauma to the tooth, medication administered to young children, and even from in utero factors.

A Chicago-based dentist made note of an unsurprising fact: Intrinsic stains are far more difficult to fix than extrinsic stains. But treatments are available including options like installing veneers.

Easy Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth at Home

Anyone looking to avoid harsh chemicals while teeth whitening, this is the place for you. Did you know using harsh chemicals is generally frowned upon? You could risk damaging your enamel making these treatments often more trouble than they’re worth. Why risk it? When there are numerous methods for natural teeth whitening at home.

The following tips aren’t for instant teeth whitening and some of the methods illustrated here take time. But with persistence, they can yield results. And we bet you have a lot of the items needed in your home right now.

Oil Pulling

The name of this might sound noxious but bare with us. The way this method works is to apply coconut oil to your teeth after brushing and swish the melted oil for anywhere from five to 20 minutes. This is not a misprint, we said minutes.  

But oil pulling, unorthodox as it might sound, can get results. In addition, a study available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information noted, “Oil pulling can be explored as a safe and effective alternative to Chlorhexidine.” While time-consuming, this method has converted many looking for whiter teeth. Side note: Do not try spitting the used oil in the sink, aim for the garbage can. Your plumbing will thank you.

Put Baking Soda on your Toothbrush

This doesn’t mean you have to switch your current toothpaste for one that includes baking soda (but these are widely available and have great reviews.) Health information publisher HealthLine explains how to whiten teeth with baking soda. Start by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of water then brush with the mixture a few times a week.

“Brushing with a paste made with baking soda and water can reduce bacteria in your mouth and buff away surface stains,” HealthLine concluded.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide (in the Appropriate Amount)

An article in Medical News Today noted that hydrogen peroxide can be effective in fighting yellow stains. But before you grab the bottle under your bathroom sink, just remember that overuse of peroxide can cause enamel damage and if you have sensitive teeth you’ll probably want to steer clear of this method. Most store-bought whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide with a strength of 10 percent but you’ll want to use 3 percent (commonly found in stores) to avoid hurting your enamel.

This article lists two methods of using peroxide including diluting it with water and swishing it around your mouth, or creating a paste out of peroxide and baking soda and applying it directly to your teeth.

Eat your Fruits and Veggies

An apple a day keeps the doctor away but it also might help with teeth whitening. A 2011 article from the American Association of Retired Persons’ noted that consuming apples can help prevent yellow stains.

The article listed other foods that can help keep teeth white, namely:

• Carrots
• Celery
• Cheese
• Oranges (up for debate elsewhere)
• Milk
• Pineapples
• Strawberries (when mashed up, rubbed on teeth, and left for five minutes)
• Yogurt

Most of these foods are believed to help whiten teeth because they increase the mouth’s production of saliva which helps wash away plaque and harmful bacteria.

Try Turmeric

This is a big one in the beauty influencer world. A few years ago a beauty blogger documented her experience while using natural teeth whitening agents including the vivid, yellow spice turmeric. Using her method, mix turmeric, coconut oil, and baking soda into a paste then apply to your teeth and let it sit for two minutes. After a week, she noticed a subtle difference in the brightness in her teeth, though there was a downside:

“I found myself cleaning (or, more accurately, scrubbing) my sink daily,” she wrote. “Turmeric is bright yellow and stains everything in sight.”

Is staining your shirts and sink worth the subtle difference? We’ll leave that up to you!

How to Prevent Stains

Prevention can be the best cure for yellow teeth. There are numerous prevention strategies including the simplest method: brushing after every meal. If you’re looking to step up your game, try rinsing with a disclosing solution from your dentist to discover your plaque quotient. This will show spots where teeth are likely to stain if brushing techniques doesn’t improve.

Brushing and Flossing

Brushing twice and flossing once daily can help keep teeth white as well as prevent other dangerous oral health issues. According to the ADA “brushing twice daily and flossing once a day are two critical behaviors to help prevent the risk of all oral infections.” As HealthLine notes, brushing and flossing regularly will help prevent harmful plaque from building up and causing yellowing. 

What about Whitening Toothpaste, Strips, or Trays?

Whitening toothpaste and strips can be purchased at your neighborhood drugstore and are a common solution. Reviews of these products suggest effective results. Though some dentists caution against using either. Why? The author of this article, Mark Burhenne, DDS, warns that strips specifically can damage your teeth and gums if used improperly. That whitening toothpaste? That’s a gimmick Burhenne states, as toothpaste can’t whiten teeth, toothpaste only cleans. 

“However, if you do want professional results,” he adds, “the safest and most effective way to whiten teeth, in my opinion, is through custom-built teeth whitening trays from your dentist.” He lists other natural options that are safe and effective including activated charcoal as well as the use of stain-removing electric toothbrushes. 

Avoid Anything Acid-Based

Some people recommend using lemon juice to whiten teeth but don’t try it! One dentist told Men’s Health he would never recommend this approach: “It’s very acidic and if not cleaned off properly it can pool on the tooth and erode the enamel, and that’s the last thing you want.” Healthy enamel is one of your best defenses against yellowing so we suggest you take this warning seriously. 

Don’t Put Salt on your Teeth

Who rubs sea salt on their teeth? Apparently, enough people that a health website had to caution people against it. We know you’d never try this (right?) but here’s why it’s not worth the risk: Rubbing sea salt (or other abrasive substances) onto your teeth can cause microscopic scratches and abrasions, leading to the buildup of bacteria and decay. See? You’re too smart for this dangerous hack. 

A Few Ways to Prevent Teeth Stains

Teeth whitening is like losing weight. Just as pounds can return after weight loss, if lifestyle changes aren’t maintained teeth can start to yellow once again. After you’ve whitened your teeth, here are a few methods that are helpful for preventing teeth from staining again. 

Make Dietary Changes

It’s rough, but some tasty foods are not going to help you on your quest for whiter teeth. Including your morning jolt and that delicious bolognese. Business Insider noted eight common offenders namely:

• Acidic or citrusy foods
• Coffee
• Curry and tomato sauce
• Sports and energy drinks
• Soda
• Sugary foods and sweets
• Tea
• Wine

Depending on how healthy and white your teeth are at the moment, it might be wise to eliminate, or at least cut down on some of these foods and beverages. Or as we talked about before, if you can’t avoid these foods, brush right after you’re finished.

Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

Aside from brushing and flossing daily, WebMD states that maintaining oral hygiene can include using antiseptic mouthwash and using whitening toothpaste (though only once or twice per week.) Fluoride, an included ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste, can also be helpful according to Medical News Today. Some municipalities also fluoridate their water supplies which can be controversial within some communities but is still a practice in some places throughout the U.S. 

Drink and Swish Water

Key to hydration and a strong, bright smile. According to the ADA, water is the best beverage for healthy teeth. A 2016 study found that a Canadian city had higher rates of tooth decay after the municipality stopped adding fluoride to the water five years prior, than another city with uninterrupted fluoridation. 

At a basic level, water can help you produce saliva which washes away bacteria and plaque to help keep your mouth clean. As a 2009 study in the British Dental Journal recommends, swishing with water after meals or consuming soda “for two to five minutes can be of help in removal of loosened food particles, dead cells and mucus from the oral cavity.” So get swishing as a natural teeth whitening remedy.

Get to the Dentist

Natural teeth whitening isn’t always the healthiest way to maintain your smile.Many people don’t look forward to going to the dentist, with some surveys quoting up to 62 percent of adults fear sitting in the chair. But cleanings every 3-6 months help prevent buildup of plaque and keep teeth looking their whitest. There’s a reason all those toothpaste ads talk about a “fresh from the dentist” feeling, but really, only the dentist can grant that bright shine.

The post Natural teeth whitening: Tricks for a whiter smile appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Visiting a dentist is essential for oral and overall health, but how often should you go to the dentist, really? Most dentists recommend biannual checkups, though this can vary. Dental insurance typically also covers two visits a year. 

But twice a year dental checkups may not work for everyone. How often you schedule dental visits depends on a variety of factors that we’ll cover in this piece. 

Dental Checkups: Why Do We Need Them?

We’re going to ask you the same question any dentist will the moment you sit in the chair: are you experiencing any dental pain? If your answer is no, that’s great but you shouldn’t wait until you feel pain before you go to the dentist. Of course, if you have oral pain or a dental accident like a chipped tooth, that should prompt you to make an appointment. But you shouldn’t use pain alone to decide how often you should go to the dentist.

Even those who brush and floss carefully will still get plaque build-up. Plaque hardens into tartar which can lead to cavities and gum disease. Your dentist or dental hygienist can more thoroughly clean your teeth and prevent dangerous tartar.

Dentists can also spot potential problems you may not have noticed yet. Not all dental issues cause pain right away and not treating a problem early on makes it more challenging to fix in the future. Your mouth can also show signs of various medical conditions; such as anemia, diabetes, and oral cancer.

The American Cancer Society states that many pre-cancers and oral cancers can be detected early during routine exams by a dentist. Regular dental checkups involve examining your entire mouth. When dentists notice concerning medical signs in your mouth, they can refer you to a specialist who can further analyze the situation.

What to Expect at a Dental Checkup

Whether it’s been a while since your last dentist appointment or you visit frequently, you may wonder how the process works. Here’s what to expect if you need a refresher. 

Most dental sessions start with questions about your general health and any dental problems you’ve noticed. Your dentist or dental hygienist may also ask about your teeth-cleaning habits, diet, and whether you smoke, or drink alcohol. Your medical history updates will be recorded and sometimes they can even measure your blood pressure and heart rate.

Some visits may require x-rays to be taken of your mouth and teeth. X-rays allow your dentist to see the areas below your gums and between your teeth. The x-ray photographs help diagnose problems a dentist can’t see at a glance such as bone loss, cavities between your teeth impacted wisdom teeth, abscesses, and bone changes linked to some diseases.  Radiation doses from dental x-rays are extremely low and they’re only required periodically. If you’re pregnant, especially in the first trimester, inform your dentist as they may choose to postpone this step of the examination.

It’s crucial your dentist examines your teeth, gums, throat, tongue, and mouth. You might also be checked for swollen lymph nodes and they may look at your lower jaw joints. Your overall mouth health will answer how often you should go to the dentist.

Get to Know the Dentist’s Tools

Laying out on that tray will be a lineup of instruments you may not recognize. One of these helps dentists measure the spaces between your teeth and gums. Why is this important? Wide spaces can suggest gum disease.

Small, hand-held mirrors help dentists see all parts of your mouth. The mirrors reflect light which lets them see tartar deposits more easily. With x-rays and this mirror tool, dentists can notice cavities, gingivitis, and sometimes abnormalities including tumors or cysts.

Hand-held scalers are metal devices used to scrape plaque and tartar off your teeth. The pointed end is used above the gum line and the curved end safely cleans below the gum line. Following plaque and tartar removal, your dentist will use a mild  abrasive polishing paste on a rotary tool. The polisher leaves your teeth looking white and shiny. Many times it also contains fluoride which is excellent to protect your teeth from future cavities.

The dentist or dental hygienist will usually wrap up by flossing your teeth. If this causes your gums to bleed, it’s a sign you haven’t been flossing regularly on your own. How often should you go to the dentist? If you excel at flossing and brushing, it could be less often than other patients. 

At the end of your appointment, you and your dentist will discuss best oral hygiene habits and when you should return. But, assuming there aren’t any cavities or other oral issues to address, how long should it really be before your next checkup?

How Often You Need a Dental Checkup

The amount of time between dental checkups varies.

The spacing could be as short as three months or as long as a year (some even say two). The American Dental Association’s current stance is that dental treatment is unique and some people only need to visit one or two times a year, while others need more frequent visits.

How often you should go to the dentist is based on your current oral health, risk of future dental problems, changes to dental health, and age. Remember, this is for checkups alone.

Don’t wait until your next scheduled appointment if you are noticing any dental issues including (but not limited to):

• Tooth or gum pain
• Chipped teeth
• Temperature sensitivity
• Lost fillings
• Bleeding or swollen gums
• Mouth sores not healing
• Daily dry mouth
• Jaw pain

If you are experiencing no dental problems, maintain a strict brushing and flossing routine, haven’t had gum disease or cavities in the last few years, and aren’t part of any high-risk groups, talk to your dentist. Your dentist may agree it’s safe to lengthen the time between your visits so you get a checkup only once a year or even less frequently.

But people at high risk for dental diseases may need to have checkups more often than the standard twice a year recommendation. For these people, a visit every three or four months might be more appropriate.

Pregnant women for example should consider visiting the dentist more often. According to the American Pregnancy Association, increased hormone levels during pregnancy can result in gums swelling, bleeding, and trapping food. The association states preventative dental work during pregnancy is crucial for avoiding oral infections, including gum disease, which is linked to preterm birth. Cavity fillings and crowns should be treated to lower the chance of infection, preferably during the second trimester, before it’s challenging to lie on your back for an extended period of time. Avoid cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, until after giving birth.

Another high-risk group is smokers. Those who smoke have a higher chance of developing severe gum disease (periodontitis) as well as oral cancer. The ingredients in cigarettes are harmful and smoking has a drying effect on your mouth. When your mouth is too dry, it doesn’t rinse away bacteria as effectively. The best option is to quit smoking, but if unable to do that, you should see a dentist frequently.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends cancer patients see a dentist about a month before beginning chemotherapy, regardless of their standard checkup schedule. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells, but it can also harm normal cells in your mouth. It can make it difficult to eat or swallow, cause dry mouth, and you’re more likely to get an infection. Seeing your dentist prior to chemo can help to prevent these side effects.

Other high-risk groups include people with diabetes, heart disease, or those who are HIV positive. People with diabetes are at an increased risk for gum disease, fungal infections, and other oral issues. Dental health and heart health are connected and some suggest frequent dental cleanings might reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack. People who are HIV positive have a higher risk of infections and dental decay.

You will also want to see a dentist more times each year if you currently have gum disease, tend to get cavities or build up a lot of plaque, or have a weak immune system response to bacterial infections. If you aren’t sure how long you should wait between visits, ask your dentist!

Professionals who have just thoroughly examined your mouth and have been tracking your dental history know better than anyone else what is appropriate for your situation. Using the same dentist (or dental team) consistently makes this determination easier than if you are constantly switching between different dental practices.

Children should have their first oral exam either by their first birthday or when the first tooth comes in. The frequency of their visits is usually similar to adults and it can be convenient to schedule dental appointments at the same time. When children have regular dental visits in childhood, they tend to be more comfortable with dentists.

No matter how often it’s necessary for you to see a dentist, your appointments will go more smoothly if you are diligent about your oral hygiene. Make sure to brush at least twice daily and floss every day. Have high standards for your oral health and your overall health will benefit.

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