Are You Suffering From Keto Breath?

The Ketogenic (Keto) diet is known for its extremely low carbohydrates and high-fat foods. People who have followed and stuck with the Keto diet have been very successful.

One major side effect of starting keto is "keto breath". This has been described as a fruity or sweet smell which often disappears once the body is in ketosis. It can take about 21 days for the body to adapt so until they try these tips for better smelling breath:

• Staying hydrated
• Increased carb intake
• Chewing gum or sucking on mints
• Brushing teeth frequently

 As gross as "keto breath" sounds, it's an indication that the keto diet is working!

Information found here!

Why Are Some Types of Cleanings More Expensive Than Others?

This is a very common question that we get from our members and the answer is rather simple. Not all cleaning are the same. Basically, there are 4 main types of cleanings, Regular Cleaning, Difficult Cleaning, Periodontal Treatment and Periodontal Maintenance.

Regular Cleaning: This is the basic cleaning that you get a few time a year. They are relatively inexpensive and don't take to long to complete. It consists of the cleaning, a few x-rays, fluoride rinse and an examination.

*Difficult Cleaning: This cleaning is more involved than a regular cleaning but not as intense as the periodontal treatment. This is also referred to as deep cleaning. This is usually done on patients that have not had their teeth cleaned in a while and and who may have a lot of plaque and tartar build up. It consists of the same things as a regular cleaning, but also includes more scraping and cleaning of teeth and gum line. It is more expensive than a regular cleaning and takes more time to complete.

*Periodontal Treatment: This is for patients with periodontal disease or the symptoms thereof. The severity of the diagnosis will determine whether the dentist will handle the treatment in the office or or refer the patient to a periodontist. This treatment is not done in one visit. It is done in anywhere from 2-4 visits with each visit treating 1 quadrant of the patient's mouth. This is the most expensive type of "cleaning". For a patient in periodontal treatment, in most cases, no other dental work on their treatment plan will be done until the periodontal treatment is complete.

*Periodontal Maintenance: This is for any patient that has had a periodontal treatment. After completing the treatment, every cleaning thereafter is a maintenance cleaning and treatment follow up. This is more invasive than a regular cleaning and a difficult cleaning and at times more expensive.

If you and your family member are paying different prices for a cleaning at the same dental office, then there is a good chance that you are getting different styles of cleanings. You should check with your dental center for clarification.

As always, Keep Smiling!

Toothpaste Bites?

Last night I was scrolling through Instagram when I came across a video explaining what toothpaste bites were so I decided to check out their website!

Bite toothpaste was founded in 2017 by Lindsay McCormick. She describes Bite toothpaste as a zero-waste toothpaste tablet that is vegan and cruelty-free. Another bonus is that they are sold in glass bottles with cardboard refill packets.

All you have to do is:

• Pop one in your mouth.
• Bite down and start brushing.

 This product will foam up just like a normal toothpaste but without all the harsh chemicals!


I thought this was a neat idea, what are your thoughts?

Canine Orthodontics- Would You Consider Braces For Your Pet?

Maintaining your pets oral health is as important as making sure that they are vaccinated or that they are receiving regular veterinary care. They should have regular cleanings. Animals are susceptible to many of the same physical ailments as humans, including dental issues! They can get cavities, periodontal disease, abscesses, broken teeth...just about anything a human can get, they can get, including crooked teeth! And they feel the pain of these ailments, just as we do. Your pet may actually be a candidate for braces! Now, braces are not for every dog or cat...it will depend on their age, type of malocclusion and their ability to tolerate the discomfort of wearing braces, but there are a variety of specialists available out there who practice veterinary dentistry. Check with a veterinarian in your area, he or she can probably recommend one!

Keep smiling!

Can CBD Oil Reduce Dental Pain?

Recently I turned in a research paper for a class I was taking. My research topic was "What are the benefits of using CBD oil to treat diseases on older adults?" This made me wonder if CBD Oil could be beneficial for dental health!

Although there has been little research on CBD oil and dentistry, studies have shown that CBD Oil may help reduce dental pain and abscesses because it contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

There are a couple of different ways to use CBD Oil:

• Orally - The easiest way is to buy capsules and take it like a normal over the counter medication. If you have a hard time swallowing pills you can just buy the oil and add it to foods or beverages.
•  Direct Application - Apply CBD spray, oil, crushed capsules or soaked gauze pad directly on the affected tooth or gums - this may be the fastest method to relieve dental pain. 

 If you decide to use the direct method to reduce pain or swelling, make sure to wash your hands prior to application.

Like all things, you can expect a side effect. CBD Oil can reduce saliva production and may cause you to experience "cotton mouth". Make sure to drink plenty of water, chew sugar-free gum and make sure to brush and floss regularly.


*Remember this is just a temporary fix, you need to see your dentist right away at the first sign of any dental pain.*

Sjogren's Syndrome-Dry Mouth Affects Your Oral Health

Many people have never heard of this disorder....for some it is a simple inconvenience, but to the more severely affected, it is debilitating.  Sjogren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that primarily causes chronic dry mouth, lips and dry eyes and nasal passages.  It can be a primary disease (all by itself) or a secondary disease, on the heels of other autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and others. It is a progressive disorder.  Having chronic dry mouth can cause a variety of oral problems; higher incidence of cavities, mouth sores, burning tongue, swollen salivary glands, thrush and oral infections. The important thing for people with Sjogren's to remember is to stay hydrated and manage the symptoms, rather than letting them continue without treatment.  If you have Sjogren's or if you think you may have it, contact your healthcare provider and make sure you see a dentist regularly. Often, your doctor and your dentist can work together to help you manage your symptoms. Coconut water is an excellent source to hydrate the body and is reported by some to have a profound effect on combating the annoying symptoms of Sjogren's.

Keep Smiling! 

Can I Use Coconut Oil As A Toothpaste For My Cats And Dogs?

Yes, Coconut oil is effective and safe for your fur baby. Although brushing your animal's teeth with the coconut oil is the best method, they will still get some oral health benefits just from licking a small amount of the oil.

Below are some reasons to use coconut oil as toothpaste for your pet and yourself:

• No harmful chemicals -  Conventional toothpaste has an antibacterial chemical called Triclosan, which has been linked to endocrine disruption. Endocrine disruption can cause major health issues such as cancers, preterm/low birth weight in babies.
• Effective against cavity-causing bacteria - Massaging coconut oil into the gums daily significantly helps reduce decay-causing bacteria as well as plaque.
• Inexpensive - Unlike conventional toothpaste that can be expensive, one jar of coconut oil will last months because you only use a small amount.

Other health benefits your animal can receive from coconut oil:

• Improves skin and coat - When you are brushing their teeth or letting them lick the coconut oil you are improving the look and feel of your animal's coat.
• Provides energy and helps dogs lose weight - Coconut oil promotes a healthy metabolism while increasing your animal's energy and promoting healthy joints.
• Aids in digestion - Coconut oil may help with soothing your dog's digestive system while increasing nutrient absorption.

Many vets are starting to recommend using coconut oil on a regular base since its an excellent source of nutrients, which keeps your dog in good health! 

The recommended dose of coconut oil is 1 teaspoon per 10 - 30 pounds. 

When starting use 1/4 the recommended dosage and build up to the recommended level over 3-4 weeks. If hurried right away you may notice flu-like symptoms.