Do You Have Chronic Bad Breath?

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.

Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and dental cavities.

The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) can also cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.

Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems.

Contact Glasscock Dental with any of your oral health concerns.

8430 Univ. Exec. Park Drive Suite 610 Charlotte, NC 28262

Track Your Oral Health with ADA Symptom Checker App

Patients can check symptoms, find treatment recommendations

CHICAGO, Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — There are apps for everything from purchasing shoes to scheduling restaurant reservations, but how about an app for your toothache? The American Dental Association (ADA) has introduced the ADA® Dental Symptom Checker™ on MouthHealthy.org to provide patients with accurate information about their oral health symptoms as well as help them become better-informed when making decisions about their oral health.

After entering their age and gender in the ADA Dental Symptom Checker, patients can identify the location of the symptom they’re having and other factors, such as pain or swelling, and read about various conditions that fit that description. The Symptom Checker is not meant to diagnose or replace the role of the dentist. In fact, many of the conditions emphasize the importance of seeing a dentist or physician.

“Often times a patient will wait until a dental appointment to mention a recent oral health issue such as a bitten tongue or mouth,” said Ruchi Nijjar Sahota , D.D.S., an ADA consumer advisor spokesperson who practices general dentistry in Fremont, Calif. “The ADA app is designed to give patients the power to learn more about what’s happening in their mouths so that they can make an educated decision on what they might have and what needs to be done to treat it. This information makes it easier for the patient to communicate with their dentist about their oral health.”

The ADA designed the app to help build consumer awareness of the importance of oral health and recognize the benefits of regular dental visits.

“As advocates for America’s oral health, the ADA strives to educate people about the value of good dental care,” Dr. Sahota added. “This app is a teaching tool for today.”

In developing the ADA’s new consumer-focused MouthHealthy.org, consumers surveyed for the website identified a symptom checker tool as the most requested feature. The ADA Dental Symptom Checker is now available as an interactive Web platform on MouthHealthy.org, as well as a downloadable app on iTunes and Google Play.

The ADA launched the award-winning MouthHealthy.org website in June 2012 to reach the 80 percent of Internet users who seek health information online. Consumers can find oral health concerns organized by life stages, A-Z topics with videos, ADA Seal of Acceptance products, and tips and activities to make oral health care fun for kids.

The ADA Dental Symptom Checker is now available as an interactive Web platform on MouthHealthy.org, as well as a downloadable app on iTunes and Google Play.

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1yN8S)

Contact Glasscock Dental with any of your oral health concerns.

8430 Univ. Exec. Park Drive Suite 610 Charlotte, NC 28262

Are Australian Teeth Healthier?

The case against sugar-sweetened soft drinks is shaping up as a significant new health frontier.

On one side, the drinks industry promotes products as a harmless, fun-filled part of a normal diet.

On the other side, are the health groups whose job it is to warn the public that sugary drinks are fuelling an obesity epidemic that has disastrous implications for general health and risks later-life heart disease and diabetes.

The facts are alarming. One standard soft drink, consumed by most children without a second thought, hides in it 16 teaspoons of sugar. A daily dose of this can lead to a weight gain of more than 6kg a year.

Soft drinks in America are now the largest single source of calories in the US diet, accounting for more than 7 per cent of total daily energy intake.

Australia is not far behind, although they are not quite so hooked on the super-sized drinks that ordinary Americans consume without effort.

In New York, the health lobby has prevailed to the point of restricting the sale of gargantuan sugary drinks that deliver obscene amounts of kilojoules.

Of course anyone intent on over-consuming can and will do so by going to a second outlet and buying another but the message is there.

In Australia there are three leading health groups, the Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia and the National Heart Foundation, that have joined forces to inquire into taxing soft drinks and looking at other American-style restrictions on sales.

They are also pushing for government support for a public education campaign to ensure children drink mainly water and low-fat milk – not Coke.

It is widely accepted that it is best not to eat foods in which sugar is the main ingredient; this includes soft drinks, cordials and lollies which are primarily sugar and lack additional nutritional value.

The focus so far has been on the risk to dental health from the frequent consumption of acidic and sugary drinks which are a key factor in the deteriorating dental health of Australian children.

If you or your children indulge in sugary drinks it is important to keep up with routine cleanings.  Contact Glasscock Dental for more information.

8430 Univ. Exec. Park Drive Suite 610 Charlotte, NC 28262

Aspirin Placed Next to a Tooth Helps a Toothache?

THIS IS A MYTH!

Swallowing aspirin will help reduce toothache pain. Since aspirin is acidic, placing it beside the tooth can actually burn your gum tissue, causing an abscess.

What Is a Toothache?

A toothache is simply known as any varying level of pain in your teeth or jaw areas. This can be caused by a number of reasons, from injury to gum disease, but the most common one is tooth decay. One of the simplest types of decay is a cavity, and depending on the degree of the cavity, the pain can become agonizing. It is very common and may occur at any time, so many people turn to natural and home remedies for a toothache.

Why Does My Tooth Hurt?

The most common causes of a toothache are:
•Tooth decay/cavities
•Gum disease (tissue inflammation/infection)
•Chipped or broken tooth
•Abscessed tooth (a painful infection in the gums or the root of the tooth)
•Exposed tooth roots

How Can I Prevent a Toothache From Occurring?

The most common reason for a toothache due to tooth decay is excess sugar intake. This might be from a bad diet or even too many sodas. The most effective way to prevent cavities and other tooth decay is to eat healthier. By eating an apple instead of that last piece of chocolate cake, you are choosing between natural ingredients that help strengthen your teeth and processed sugars that will only add to your risk of cavity. Another way to help prevent tooth decay is by increasing your Vitamin C and Calcium intake, which can strengthen your teeth. One way to get Vitamin C is through eating limes. Brushing your teeth twice a day also helps to remove any plaque that might have built up before it turns into a cavity.

Home remedies are great ways to quickly alleviate tooth pain, but they do not cure the problem. The only way to fully diagnose and solve the issue is by going to your dentist to have an oral examination with an X-ray. The dentist is then able to tell you why your tooth is hurting and how you can treat it.

Contact Glasscock Dental for more information.

8430 Univ. Exec. Park Drive Suite 610 Charlotte, NC 28262

Areas Prone to Dental Cavities

Tooth decay and dental cavities are among the most common health problems in adults. Not only can dental cavities be a significant cause of pain and discomfort, they can lead to deteriorating oral health over time. It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of tooth decay and dental cavities, and to be aware of which areas of your mouth are most prone to dental cavities. This can help you work harder to prevent dental cavities and keep your mouth in good health.

Hot Spots for Dental Cavities

While you can get dental cavities in virtually any tooth, there are  certain areas of your mouth that are most likely to be afflicted by tooth decay and dental cavities. Familiarizing yourself with these areas can help in  the prevention  of dental cavities. Here are a few things to consider as you work to maintain the best oral health and prevent dental cavities.

• Watch Your Back Teeth: Your molars and premolars, located in the back of your mouth, have a lot of grooves, nooks, and crannies that can collect food particles that lead to plaque, tooth decay, and dental cavities. They are also harder to reach with your toothbrush, so make an extra effort to brush these areas carefully.
• Look Out for Receding Gums: When your gums pull away from your teeth, plaque has easier access to their roots. If your gums are receding in any area of your mouth, those areas can be prone to dental cavities. Flossing regularly and brushing with an antiplaque/gingivitis toothpaste can help prevent gum disease and dental cavities.
• Check Your Dental Fillings, Caps, and Crowns: Try to take regular inventory of your dental work to be sure everything remains in its proper place and is undamaged. Your dentist should do this during your regular visits, but you should also keep a close watch, as these areas can be prone to dental cavities if they aren’t maintained. When a filling gets weak, plaque can build up more easily and cause tooth decay. (1)

Want to Reduce Your Chances for Dental Cavities? Make Oral Hygiene a Habit

Work to prevent dental cavities—keep a close watch on these areas and maintain a regular routine of brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Make your dental hygiene routine a habit. Have your spouse, children, or roommates remind one another to follow the routine daily, and make it a priority to take better care of your teeth and mouth to prevent dental cavities.

See a Professional Regularly

Make appointments to see a dental professional twice a year for routine cleanings and dental exams. The professional cleaning will take care of plaque build-up that you can’t remove at home, and the professional exam will help identify problem spots and early signs of weak spots in the enamel before they escalate into significant issues. Weak spots that go undetected or untreated for too long can lead to more tooth decay resulting a dental cavity, infection, and other complications.

 

Call  Glasscock Dental Today For an Appointment at

704-510-1150