Bad breath

Clean, sweet breath is a sign of a healthy mouth. Mouth odor is most often caused by poor oral hygiene, although other causes include certain foods, a dry mouth, tobacco products or a medical disorder.

When bacteria accumulate in the mouth, bad breath can result. Saliva is necessary to wash away food particles and bacteria, and certain medications and disorders can cause a dry mouth. If bad breath persists, ask your dentist to help you find the cause.

What can I do about bad breath?
Keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy is the first step. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. Brush your tongue, too. If you wear dentures, be sure to remove them at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.

If the odor is due to gum disease, your Parkcrest dentist or gum specialist can clear up the problem. A combination of treatments, ADA-approved products and home care will get you back in the pink.

Athletic protection

Protect that precious smile. Prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw by wearing a properly fitted mouthguard. A mouth protector is an important piece of athletic gear that can help protect your smile. It should be used during any activity that could result in a blow to the face or mouth.

Athletes are more likely to consistently wear a mouth guard that stays in place and makes it easy to talk and breathe. A protector that is custom made to fit will offer the best protection for your valuable smile.

Bleeding or sore gums

Don’t lose your teeth to gum disease. Periodontal (gum) disease affects three out of four adults at some time in their lives. That’s unfortunate because people often lose perfectly healthy teeth because of gum disease.

You may not feel discomfort or even know you have it. Call for an appointment immediately if you notice any of the following signs of gum disease:

• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus between the teeth and gums
• Loose or separating teeth
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures

The earlier you get treatment for gum disease, the better.

Can you treat gum disease?

Yes. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Your dentist can help the gum tissue to heal and can help control infection.