A smile with straight, white teeth is always attractive, but even the most beautiful smile becomes a turn off when bad breath is involved. Bad breath, which is medically referred to as halitosis, is a very embarrassing condition that affects millions each year. Dealing with bad breath is truly frustrating and can lead to embarrassment. Simply brushing your teeth, despite popular belief, is not enough to rid yourself of bad breath.

What are the Causes of Bad Breath? 

Bad breath is triggered by odor-producing bacteria. People who don’t brush or floss their teeth on a regular basis accumulate more bacteria that makes them prone to halitosis. To avoid this problem, you need to be strict with your dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing after meals and using mouthwash will ensure maximum dental health. However, lack of dental hygiene isn’t the only cause of bad breath. Ingesting foods with foul odor like onions, garlic and pickles can also cause your breath to stink. In order to avoid bad breath, it’s best to avoid foods that have pungent oils that can trigger foul odor.  Continue reading →

One of the most important keys to living healthy is maintain good oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene is not something that comes naturally. It requires plenty of work and diligence. Even if you think you are brushing enough to protect your teeth, you may in fact not be doing enough to protect your teeth and gums in the long run.

First, you need to know what you’re up against. One of the most common dental problems is tooth decay also commonly known as cavities. Cavities form due to sugar, starch and bacteria being present in the mouth. This combination produces an acid that can burn right through tooth enamel and produce holes. These holes then become infected with bacteria. Without treatment, this can lead to a lot of pain and the loss of an entire tooth.

Second, you need to combat gingivitis. Gingivitis, also referred to as gum disease, occurs when the gums as well as any attached ligaments, bones and nerves become infected or inflamed due to bacteria. Left unchecked, this can lead to more serious periodontitis that can indeed result in tooth loss. Continue reading →

Are you thinking about adding mouthwash to your daily dental routine? These days, Americans are focused on a white smile, and use chemicals to keep their teeth sparkling. However, mouthwash should be on the list of dental priorities as well. With a little bit of insight from a dentist, you will see why dentists in Roseville all seem to unanimously agree on this unique product.

The world’s oldest mouthwash

Pliny the Elder, who lived during the time shortly after Jesus Christ died, regularly recommended Romans to use a mouthwash made from salt and water. Today, we are learning that this ancient technique is one of the most effective methods that you can use without buying a bottled mouthwash product. In addition to helping to keep your mouth clean, a saltwater rinse can also have a positive effect on your gums. A saline rinse is also highly recommended after oral surgery. Continue reading →

As individuals faithfully brush and floss their pearly whites twice a day, many question the necessity of seeing their dentists for cleanings twice a year. When they smile in the mirror, everything looks fine. Such evidence, combined with suffering no pain or discomfort, leads some to opt out of dental cleaning every six months. However, it is what they are not seeing in the mirror that requires the twice yearly recommended dental visits in order to maintain optimal overall health.

Your mouth produces plaque, a filmy substance of bacteria that not only coats the teeth but also infiltrates above and below the gum line. Because plaque production is a natural and constant occurrence, brushing it away twice a day only removes some of the plaque. Plaque that is left behind in crevices that the toothbrush misses eventually calcifies into a hard, crusty, yellowish-brown substance called tartar. Plaque that is left behind within the gums leads to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that results from the festering bacteria. While the tartar left on the enamel surface of the teeth can take months to cause tooth decay, gingivitis can develop in a matter of days to weeks. Gingivitis begins as a mild inflammation. If left untreated, it will eventually lead to a more advanced level of gum disease called periodontitis. Continue reading →

The goals of brushing your teeth are to prevent soft plaque from forming hard plaque on your teeth and to promote soft tissue circulation. To accomplish these goal, most dentists recommend that you brush your teeth several times a day and floss.

The problem comes in when considering whether electric toothbrushes or manual toothbrushes are better at keeping your teeth pristine.

What is Plaque?

To really understand which type of toothbrush is best, you need to understand what plaque is. It’s a sticky film that attaches to the surface of your teeth.

Plaque forms inside of your mouth as a byproduct of the Streptococcus mutans bacteria. It starts out as a sticky film that is soft and can be removed by something as soft as the bristles of a brush. It then forms a hard type of tissue that glues itself to the surface of your teeth.

In case you’re wondering why that name looks vaguely familiar, it’s because the strand of bacteria that is responsible for causing plaque in your mouth is a relative of the same bacteria that causes strep throat. Continue reading →

Many people don’t understand what a dental sealant is, nor do they understand why dentists put them in place. The most popular understanding seems to be that they simply protect your teeth.

That understanding is partially correct. They do protect your teeth, but they’re necessary because they’re able to protect your teeth in ways that ordinary brushing and flossing can’t.

What is a Dental Sealant?

Dental sealants are special plastic coatings that are applied to the occlusal part of molars. They can come in white, semi-opaque or transparent colors.

When they are being applied, your dentist will check the occlusal part of your molars for any visible decay. This can sometimes require the aid of a dentist drill, so don’t be alarmed. Continue reading →

Going to the dentist for regular check ups is recommended by nearly every dentist and dental hygienist in the country. However, many people aren’t sure why they go to have the same thing done every six months when they floss and brush well at home. Here are just a few of the reasons why you should get regular cleanings from your dentist.

First, a dentist will be able to spot minor problems before they become major problems. For example, a good dentist will be able to point out a potential cavity before the tooth is fully decayed. This way, you can have it taken care of before it becomes a much more serious and painful issue. A cavity is just one of the problems a dentist could find.

Avoiding dental health issues only makes them worse. The teeth will become more yellowed, sensitive, and prone to cavities the longer you avoid having them cleaned professionally. Continue reading →