BREATH MALODOR

**** Causes and Solutions*****

Bad breath and oral malodor are common uses for Halitosis. Temporary breath malodor starts in the mouth and can be cause for extra oral habits such as smoking, diet (garlic, onion, spicy foods and dairy).

Morning bad breath is generally temporal upon waking. It’s caused by decrease salivary flow during sleep that disappears after breakfast and brushing your teeth.

At different levels, 90 % of the population has bad breath that is associated mainly with the presence of oral bacteria caused by poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, periodontitis, dental cavities, dry mouth and tongue coatings. Surprisingly, this condition continues to be poorly understood and overlooked.

A simple solution for this popular and unpleasant condition is a consistent home oral care that includes brushing, flossing and mouth rinses. Most important, havingprofessional dental cleanings and exams that should include oral evaluation and breath analysis.

Breath malodor from non-oral sources may be associated with bacteria compound caused by medications, different diseases such as liver cirrhosis, kidney insufficiency, including diabetes, starvation, internal bleeding, menstrual cycle, metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders. For many persons, bad breath is a significant problem that affects their quality of life. Through good communication with their dentist and physician this problem could be controlled.

Alejandra Torres, RDH
Esperanza Dental Clinic

WHICH TOOTHPASTE TO USE ???

As a dental provider, it is common to be asked what is the best tooth paste to use.

Tooth paste, also called dentifrice, is essential to proper daily oral hygiene. Tooth pastes are pastes, gels or powders that help remove plaque, a film of bacteria “a yellow dough like” substance that forms on teeth and gums every day.

Material used to clean teeth has been used in various forms for centuries such as natural leaves and grained seeds.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Modern toothpaste has become smooth and good tasting which can contain anti-caries, anti-gingivitis, anti-sensitivity ingredients.

Bacteria causes bad breath, cavities and mouth disease such as infections of gums (gingivitis) and more advance infection of bone around teeth (periodontitis).

85% of the population has one kind of periodontal disease and they may experience gingivitis, gum recession, caries and tooth sensitivity. Following dental treatment, these persons require lifelong preventive periodontal maintenance.

A safe, daily use dentifrice for those patients may include: anti-gingivitis properties, cavity protection, resistance to demineralization, reduction in sensitivity and saliva stimulation. Toothpastes have to be cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices for these benefits. Adults have to supervise their children when they brush their teeth, to avoid swallowing the tooth paste.

With many different types of toothpastes on the market, consumers need to know how to find a product that matches their needs. Your hygienist or dentist will help you to choose the toothpaste that better works for you.

Alejandra Torres, RDH
Esperanza Dental Clinic

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DENTISTS & DENTISTRY

Before toothbrushes were invented people used twigs or their fingers to brush their teeth.(Neem twigs are still used in India as they have high bactericidal properties).

Some interesting facts about toothpastes: The Greek physician Hippocrates (400BC) suggested a toothpaste made from three mice and the head of a hare to cure toothache. Before toothpaste was invented people used dry, rough things as an abrasive to clean their teeth, like crushed eggshell, pumice or the burnt hooves of animals!

A third of the population squeeze their toothpaste tube from the middle.

The world’s oldest known formula for toothpaste, used more than 1,500 years before Colgate began marketing in 1873, was discovered on a piece of dusty papyrus in the basement of a Viennese museum.

In early 1600 Japanese women made their teeth black to show loyalty to their husbands.

In roman times, the ancient Gauls, as well as other people, used Urine (which contained Urea) as a mouth rinse to whiten their teeth.

The Ancient Greeks were the first to discover and use Pliers to extract teeth.

The ancient Chinese wrapped tiny pieces of parchment around painful teeth, all of which contained written prayers and incantations.

Aztec dentists used to mix Iron fillings, water and navel lint bake and insert into the cavities to seal it.

In the old days when dentures weren’t invented yet, dentists would do a quick surgery in implanting teeth in the mouth a person, by obtaining the teeth from a dead persons mouth.

William F. Semple a dentist from Mount Vernon, OH was issued the first patent in 1869 for chewing gum.

The Electric chair was invented by a Dentist.

The rat’s teeth keep growing constantly all through their lives, that is the reason why they bite into everything they see to get rid of the itching sensation in their gums.

The biggest shark species has the smallest teeth. The 12 meter ling whale shark has more than 4,000 teeth, each only 3mm long. New teeth are constantly being formed in rows in a sharks jaw. Shark’s teeth are normally replaced every eight days. A shark’s teeth are literally as hard as Steel.

Cows do not have upper front teeth and their lower bottom one’s never stop growing.

Diet sodas are just as damaging as regular sodas at weakening tooth enamel.

Aardvark teeth have no enamel coating and are worn away and re grown continuously.

It is a weird belief that those who smile in school yearbook photos are more likely to have a successful career and marriage that those with dull or lifeless faces.

The most valuable tooth was that of Sir Issac Newton purchased by a Businessman for $4,560, which he used as a ring.

A couple of hundred years ago bad teeth were considered to be a rich man’s disease. It was only the rich people who could afford to eat sweet things like Queen Elizabeth I, who had very bad teeth.

In the dark ages, superstitions held that a person could cure his/her toothache or re-grow a lost tooth by obtaining a tooth from someone else. This tooth would have preferably come from a hanged criminal. It was believed that just the mere possession of such a tooth would work.

In the 18th century people would sell their teeth to the rich people, who then used to makefalse teeth with them.(so replacement of teeth was seen from as early as 18th century)

According to the May 2000 Surgeon General’s report, Oral health in America, more than 51 million school hours are lost due to Dental related problems.

Kids laugh around 400 times per day compared to the mere 15 times a day by grown ups.

38.5 days is the number of days a person spends brushing his teeth in his whole lifetime.

According to a poll conducted 73% of people would rather go for grocery shopping rather than floss his/her teeth.

While 9 million children in this nation do not have medical insurance, more than twice that number -23 million- don not have dental insurance.

Of the 4 million children born each year, more than half will have cavities by the time they reach second grade.

For 25% of children the first visit to the emergency ward in hospitals is due to a Dental related problem.

Dr. Abhitosh Debata.