Get A Better Smile - Chicago Dentistry

How to Stop Bad Breath in its Tracks

February 13, 2017 admin Dentist, Oral Health

Bad breath in medical terms is called halitosis. It is the result of poor oral hygiene and dental habits and is ultimately the cause of health problems. It is a common advice to “Brush the teeth twice a day, in the early morning and before going to bed” but we generally ignore it and as a result in the long run we face dental problems. Bacteria builds up in our teeth and in between them and particularly on the tongue and between our gums, causes unpleasant foul smelling gases. This also causes tooth decay and gum problems.

If you don’t brush your teeth on the regular basis, the food between your teeth in the mouth is broken down by the oral bacteria which causes foul smell. This causes bad breath. The bacterial growth between the teeth on the rough surface of the tongue and in between your gums can also cause serious dental problems. Hence, it is always recommended to brush teeth two times a day.

There are many ways by which bad breath can be caused. Odour-causing bacteria can also cause bad breath. Smoking and chewing tobacco products can cause bad breath which can irritate and damage your gums, reduce your ability of tasting foods.

If you have a bad breath that it can cause a lot of problems to you as well as people around you. It can be very frustrating for the person who is with you the complete day. The bad odour from your mouth the complete day can be very irritating for him and ultimately cause the bad impression of yours in his mind. As a result, the person will try to remain away from you forever because no one can withstand a foul odour smell. This peer pressure from people around you can lower down your self-confidence and will hamper your growth in long run.

Bad breath does not only impact people around that person but also to him also. Bad breath can cause gum diseases in long run, plaques in between the teeth and ultimately damages gums and teeth. It also causes dental caries and yeast infections in the mouth. Some particular food materials like onion and garlic and alcohol can cause bad breath. Xerostomia also called as Dry mouth, a medical condition also causes bad breath. Saliva keeps the mouth moist and if it is not produced then the mouth becomes dry. If our mouth is then dry for a long period of time, it causes bad breath. Many respiratory tract infections like bronchitis, pneumonia and gastro-intestinal diseases like diabetes and liver and kidney problems can also cause bad breath. Fasting and low-carbohydrate diets can also cause bad breath.

In this regard, we spoke to Peter Walsh, who runs a dentist practice in Sidcup, about the most common causes and he advised us that “usually poor cleaning techniques or dental problems are the cause of bad breath”. He also said the same fact, hence it maintaining oral hygiene becomes become mandatory and important for everyone.

Determining the cause of bad breath can be a bit difficult but not impossible. Hence, it is always advised to consult a dentist and get to the root cause of the problem. The dentist can either start your treatment by analysing your condition or refer to some other dentist such the one who is specialised in a particular part of the mouth. A periodontist is the one who is specialised in the treatments of gums particularly.

An anti-bacterial mouthwash can help you get rid of bad breath and reduce the foul odour smell from the mouth of an individual. A person should brush his/her teeth twice a day and if required after eating food so that food particles does not deposit in between the teeth and gums. Always keep your tongue clean. Drink lots of water which help to keep mouth moist and reduce the occurrence of bad breath. Do not consume tobacco-based products and alcohol which may cause problems. Also, try to maintain the logs of food consumed in a day and then figure out which causes bad breath. Regularly visit your doctor for oral problems and other issues so that there are less chances of these problems. You can also follow professional cleaning practices. Generally, doctors nowadays have instruments by which they can easily remove plaque between the teeth. But for the very first step always follow good oral hygiene practices. These small little steps can help you live longer and give your teeth longer life.

Tips For Finding a Great Dentist

February 3, 2017 admin Dentist

It is impossible to ignore a dental visit when it is the matter of treating some critical dental conditions, such as fluorosis and advanced gum disease. It is truly unwise to ignore going to a dentist in such a situation. It is even more unwise to choose just any dentist for the treatment.

Most of us tend to choose a cheap or a nearby one without finding much about the dentist in terms of work and experience. It is okay to find a cheap dentist in terms of cost but not in terms of work. In other words, you should choose a dentist that not only fits within your budget but also offers effective treatments as per your requirements.

There are many dentists who genuinely care for dental patients but they seem to be in the minority these days. So, it might not be a super easy task when searching for a new dentist but with a little bit of research you will be able to find the perfect dentist for yourself and your family. A sign of a great dentist is that they will always come up with the most effective and least troublesome treatment.

So, how would you find such a dentist in your area? Here are some tips to make that task easier for you:

Ask your friends and family

A common way to find a good dentist is to ask friends, local pharmacists, family doctor, neighbors, and co-workers. However, from these people, it is wiser to choose those who have tried out many dentists in your area or has several experiences of treatments from different dentists. This is because these people are likely to show you the most reliable professional who smoothly heals a variety of dental conditions.

Otherwise, you will get references of those who heal some conditions properly, and not all. You might have a condition that the referred dentist is not familiar with and will be unable to fix your problem . So, choose the one who is versatile enough to heal any dental disease with ease.

Look for Recognition

If you really want a professional and reliable dentist to take care of your teeth, look for the dentist’s membership of some esteemed association. For example, you should find out whether the recommended professional is a member of the American Dental Association. Such dentists voluntarily abide by the association’s code of ethics. This itself is an indicator of reliability and responsibility.

Consider Specialized Dentists

It has become natural for many of us to be afraid of going to a dentist. So, if you are one of those, it is wise to look for a dentist who specializes in dealing with your dental fears. The professional should willingly answer all your questions such that you become comfortable with the recommended medical procedures.

Seek Payment Conditions

It is essential to ask how the dentist would bill. Make sure that the dentist will accept your insurance. It is equally important to know the supported payment options, such as credit cards and checks. If you are a non-insured patient, the dentist should provide suitable financing options such as Credit Care.

Are braces better than Invisalign?

February 2, 2017 admin Braces, Invisalign

Are Braces Better than Invisalign?

It is common to compare the traditional braces and Invisalign when it comes to teeth straightening, as both options do the same thing, which is straighten your teeth. Which one works better? Which one is more cost-effective? We can’t really answer those questions for you because it is different for everyone, the best option would be the one that works best for you.

Most people love Invisalign but it is certainly not for all. Similarly, braces are not ideal for everyone.
The fact is that neither of these options necessarily work better than the other but both of these options work in different ways, and only you can decide which option is right for you with the help of your orthodontist.

Usually, an orthodontist selects one of the two solutions depending on your teeth, jaw, bite, and case complexity. Before you go and talk to your orthodontist, you should familiarize yourself with both options and how they work so you will have an idea of what the doctor is talking about, which will help you make an informed decision.

Tips to finding a great dentist

Basics

Braces feature metal brackets that run along a metallic wire and small rubber bands, and are attached directly to your teeth. You can have brackets that match the color of your enamel, which are called “invisible braces”. They also help in making a style statement. The wire and brackets are gently pressed against the teeth, which will adjust your teeth over 1-3 years, depending on how much work needs to be done.

On the other hand, Invisalign is engineered such that it is invisible after attaching to your teeth. Transparent and small containers of smooth BPA-free plastic are placed over your which will slowly straighten your teeth.

Pros and Cons

Unlike Invisalign, dental braces are irremovable, your orthodonist will recommend braces for you if your teeth need serious adjusting, braces usually work better to treat more serious cases. They also work faster for aligning teeth and closing the gaps while dealing with problematic teeth. Traditional braces assist in fixing bites and restoring a healthy smile. The dental braces are also handy in rectifying bad bites and crooked teeth.

On the other hand, Invisalign is more efficient for triggering uncomplicated movements. A set of computer-generated trays will be given to you, each tray is used for about 2 weeks before you have to remove it and start with the next set. Invisibility is perhaps the biggest benefit of this option, which also gives the treatment its name.

Its other benefits include no difficulty in eating, no risk of food being caught in a tooth, and no discomfort at all, which is sometimes a problem with traditional braces.

Invisalign is for those who do not want anyone to mark their braces and wish to have effective speech. So, it is for those who wish to feel comfortable in social events. It is much more inclined toward the aesthetic purpose.

On the con side, braces are infamous for their discomfort and pain, risk of discoloration, and difficulty in eating hard eatables. On the other hand, the best part about Invisalign is that you can remove the trays from your teeth when you are eating, it is actually required to remove trays when eating. Invisalign can also cause discomfort at first but you will get used to it in a few days. Another downside to Invisalign is that you have to brush and floss after every meal, then you can put the trays back into your mouth.

If you do not like to make frequent dental visits, Invisalign may not be the right option. This is because it involves tray renewal every two weeks, which is much frequent than the brace adjustment required every four weeks.

I hope this guide has informed you a little more about braces and Invisalign, now it is up to you to decide which option is best for you, your orthodontist can help you make the right decision for you.