It's the Most Wonderful Time...Of the Year.

A Cavity Free Holiday

I've already been reminded by the girls at the office that Christmas is around the corner.  I was even coerced into playing Christmas music the day after Halloween.  For me Christmas is what makes the winter and cold bearable.  I love the sights and sounds and seeing so many acts of generosity.  

So we have some quick tips for you in trying to avoid cavities during the holiday season.  We all know I have the BIGGEST sweet tooth!  I'm always digging in the candy container at work.  So here they are:

1)  It's best to eat your sweets right after your meal.

• Your saliva increases during meals and helps wash away and dilute the affects of sugar on your teeth.  A good amount of water after eating sweets will help as well.

2) Dry mouth is always a problem when it comes to cavities.  

• Stay hydrated!  Unfortunately alcohol also aids in making us dehydrated so make sure to get water in your system if you choose to drink the Egg Nog.

3) Easy on those hard candies and nuts.

• Just make sure you are careful.  It's the peanut brittle that pulls off the crowns or the nuts and hard candies like my favorite (butterscotch) that chips teeth or breaks fillings.

4) Cakes and starchy foods (chips, bread, etc) are easy to get  

     stuck and hide between your teeth.  

• So just take your time and floss before you brush so the food doesn't just sit on your teeth all night.  

5)  Water is your friend.  

• You can find water anywhere.  So in the event you have some sweets, (remember there is just as much sugar in juice and soda) finish the sweets you want and if a toothbrush isn't close or appropriate at the time, swish some water around and use your tongue to remove the food and sugar that you can.

6)  Chew sugar-free gum.

• Gum helps with saliva production and it can also help you resist more sweets.  The gum and saliva will help wash away some of the bacteria from the sweets we eat.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS FROM BARDEN FAMILY DENTISTRY!

~Dr D, Misty, Elaine, Lisa and Alisha

Halitosis / Bad Breath

Halitosis / Bad Breath

First things first is diagnosing the reason behind your bad breath before it can be properly treated.  Provided you are consistent on visiting your dentist every 6 months, you eliminate a lot of the common dental related issues that can also cause bad breath such as periodontal or gum disease which is an infection of the gums.  Cavities or tooth decay can also cause bad breath if it causes a problem with food and bacteria getting caught and stuck in the area.  Tonsil stones, sinus drainage smoking and lack of saliva can play a role as well.  

Treatment of Halitosis / Bad Breath

• Basic Oral Hygiene (brush twice, floss once per day)
• include the tongue, roof of your mouth and inside of cheeks

• Tongue Scraping
• Easy to use, painless and scrapes all the plaque and debris that collects on your tongue.

• Here's just one design.  Some are just a piece of plastic with small plastic teeth on the edge to literally scrape along your tongue.  It's like a back scratcher for your tongue!

• Drink plenty of water.  Saliva plays a big part in keeping your mouth clean.  Medications can further wreck havoc by causing dry mouth.  Keep hydrated!

• Chew on sugar free gum.  It will help produce saliva and help keep your breath fresh.

• If you have a denture, retainer or night-guard that you wear make sure you are keeping it clean as well.  Dentures should be taken out at night to allow your tissues to breathe.  Bring any of these appliances with you to your 6 month appointments and we will gladly give them a check-up and cleaning as well!

Any further questions or thoughts?  Please leave a message in the comments!  Also, if you have any recommended topics for the future suggestions are welcome.