Bad Breath Warning Signs

 Do you suffer from chronic bad breath? If you do please don't ignore your bad breath, it could be a warning sign of illnesses such as:

• Liver Disease - This can cause extremely bad breath, even after brushing. 
• Dry Mouth - Dryness of the mouth can be caused by diabetes, leaving you thirsty no matter how much you have drank and can cause bad breath.
• Mouth Sores - Besides the fact mouth sores are painful they can stink up your mouth. This is because the bacteria that are attacking your gums, tongue, or cheek are also pumping out bad-smelling compounds as a byproduct of their digestion. *If you notice these sores are not going away, this could be a sign of oral cancer.
• Gingivitis - Bacteria from bad gums will migrate to other parts of the mouth, including the tongue which is the culprit of about 90% of bad breath.

If you are or know someone who is battling chronic bad breath let them know there may be some underlying illness and have them visit both their dentist and primary physician so they can get to the bottom of the problem.

Pets Need Dental Care Too!

Dental disease affects 78% of dogs and 68% of cats over age 3. Periodontal trouble in animals causes the same problems that it does in humans: from mild tartar and gingivitis to receding gums; significant inflammation and tooth loss.

Leave Your Crest In The Cabinet:
When you are ready to start brushing your pet's teeth do not use your toothpaste, this has to much fluoride in it, also this is toxic to animals. You can go to your local pet store and find tooth past that is right for your pet.

Open Sesame:
While holding your pet, put a little bit of the toothpaste on your finger, and let them taste it. Next gently put your finger in their mouth and rub the gum line. Once you and your pet have this down (may take a few weeks) try using a children's soft toothbrush.

It's All In The Wrist:
The most comfortable way to brush your pets teeth is have them on your lap (if they are small enough) and have their head face away from your body. Use your left hand to brush the right side of her mouth and vice versa. For large pets, have them face you while they sit and start brushing!

When All Else Fails:
Try tarter-control treats!

Natural Ways To Heal Canker Sores

We all know how uncomfortable and painful canker sores can be, right? I'm sure you have tried Orajel and canker x to help heal the pain but have you tried any natural remedies? 

Lists below are some natural remedies to help heal those painful sores:

• Alum Powder (kitchen spice) - Place a small amount of alum directly on the sore, allow it to sit for 1 minute then spit out. *Do not swallow.
• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - Soak a cotton ball in ACV and apply it to the sore.
• Vitamin E - Open a vitamin E casual and apply directly on the sore.
• Aloe Vera - Put some fresh aloe Vera juice on the sore 3-4 times a day.

Hopefully, with the help of these, you will get some relief from the pain and discomfort.

To help prevent Canker sores you should brush your teeth after every meal and floss twice a day to keep your mouth free of food particles that trigger these painful sores.

If you still end up with a canker sore, use a soft toothbrush such as a perio-toothbrush to prevent irritation while brushing and avoid toothpaste and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. 

Toothpaste "Hacks" You Might Have Never Known!

 Here are five toothpaste "hacks" that may not be commonly known. I may just have to try some of these myself!

• Remove crayon from painted walls.  All you need is some toothpaste and a damp cloth, buff lightly then rinse the area.  Off it goes!
• Scuffs on linoleum or tile floors.  Again, just a little toothpaste and a damp cloth.  Works like a charm.
• Fingernails and Toenails.  This one I wish I had thought of myself!  Wet an old (emphasis on old) toothbrush, add toothpaste and generously apply to fingernails and toenails. Wait a few minutes, then scrub a little bit.  Rinse.  They will look fresh and bright!  It takes away the yellowing effect. Of course it would!  It works on teeth, right? I love this!
• Clean jewelry.  It shines up diamonds and gold just as good as any jewelry cleaner would, and you already have it in your cabinet.  
• Headlight haze.  How many of us pay good money to have the headlights treated after yellowing and scratching occurs?  Buff it out with toothpaste. If nothing else, you may be able to put off the expensive treatment for awhile. 
• Skunk Spray Deodorizer.  Never would have thought of this one! The instructions I read are as follows: If your pet encounters a skunk, try this.  Wet him down, rub toothpaste into his fur, then rinse. Apparently the fluoride helps to eliminate some of the odor.  Not sure about this one.  I'd check with the vet first.  Some toothpaste contains xylitol, which is known to be a health risk for pets.

Enjoy!

Dental Hygiene for Men

Here are some of the risk factors for developing gum disease:

Being male: Men are more likely to suffer from gum disease than women.

Being African-American: Black men are more likely than white men to develop gum disease.

Lack of funds and insurance: People at the lowest socio-economic levels tend to have the most severe gum disease. This is largely because they don't have access to (or can't afford) regular dental care.

Age: As we get older, our gums gradually recede, exposing the roots of the teeth to plaque. We also produce less saliva, which plays an important role in rinsing plaque out of the mouth.

Genetics: If your parents lost teeth to gum disease, you are at greater risk.

Neglect: Not brushing and flossing regularly.

Poor diet: Sugary snacks and drinks encourage the growth of plaque, and crunchy snack foods can damage enamel and teeth.

Clenching, grinding teeth: Chronic teeth grinding can sometimes result in fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. Chronic grinding may also damage tooth enamel and wear teeth down. This kind of damage can lead to the need for a host of expensive dental work, including bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures.

Smoking: Recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of gum disease. In addition, following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery, the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process and make the treatment results less predictable.

Abscessed Tooth? Do NOT Ignore it!

Of all of the dental problems one can have, abscesses are among the most dangerous and unpredictable. Often times, people will let tooth pain go for a lengthy period of time and will not see a dentist until their pain is severe and an abscess has developed. Other times, an abscess can develop seemingly overnight. In rarer instances, an abscess can be growing under a tooth without the patient suffering severe pain and the only symptoms may be too subtle to notice by the untrained eye.... The danger in letting an abscess go untreated is that serious complications can arise. The following list should make someone sit up and pay attention!

If left untreated, abscesses can cause:

1. Loss of the tooth
2. Fever, chills
3. Spread of infection to jawbone (serious infection can cause disfigurement)
4. Spread of infection to brain, heart or lungs (extremely dangerous, can cause death!)
5. Excessive swelling leading to blockage of airway or inability to eat or drink

You cannot be too careful with a toothache, or even a twinge...it can lead to an abscess.
If you or anyone you know has a toothache, don't let it progress to an abscess! If dental care is not immediately available, go to an urgent care center or the ER for treatment! Abscesses can become life threatening!

**Note that during this shutdown because of the COVID virus, most dental offices are seeing patients on an emergency basis. Call your dentist if you have any signs of an abscessed tooth! 

Common Question About Teeth Staining!

We all want a nice white sparkling smile, Right? In order to achieve this you have probably tried all sorts of whitening options, but have you ever thought about what causes the staining?

Below are some common quotations regarding teeth staining and the professional team from "Perfect Dental" has the answers for you!

• What causes teeth staining? 
• There are a few reasons for tooth discoloration including: food, drinks, smoking, stain-causing particles within the tooth enamel, and even simply aging. 
• How can I prevent teeth staining?
• Prevention is pretty easy when it comes to stained teeth. Avoid certain foods and beverages that satin your teeth, quit smoking, and keep up with good oral care routines including brushing twice daily, rinsing with mouthwash and flossing daily, chewing sugar-free gum between meals, and seeing your dentist at least twice a year.
• What foods stain your teeth?
• Foods that are bright or bold in color are the most likely to stain your teeth. Red pasta sauces, berries such as blueberries and raspberries, and bright curries all can contribute to teeth staining. 
• When is the best tome to do teeth whitening? 
• You'll need to make sure you're teeth are free from decay, so the best time to start whitening is after a teeth cleaning. 

If you are interested in more questions regarding teeth staining, click here!

Personality Traits According to the Shape of Your Teeth!

Yes, there is even a scientific name for it! It's called Morphopsychology.

Well, if nothing else this may make for an interesting hobby for dentists, assistants and hygienists!  It’s a form of people…uh, patient watching and could give you some insight into the type of personality you’re dealing with, if you’re in to that sort of thing.  Here goes:

Rectangular Teeth

People with rectangular shaped teeth tend to be rational thinkers, decision makers, practical people who possess leadership qualities.  They’re very sociable and tend to talk A LOT but they are imaginative and excellent planners. 

Square Teeth

The square type is the most common.  These people are orderly, objective, diplomatic sorts and possess good business sense.  They are intelligent, have good control over their emotions and are spiritually inclined and discreet. 

Triangular Teeth

(Best described as narrow at the gumline and wide at the bottom of the tooth.)

These souls tend to be free-spirited, carefree and independent.  They don’t let the grass grow under their feet…they prefer freedom and unencumbered lifestyles.  They also tend to be free thinkers. 

Oval Teeth

Everything about these types of people screams class!  They are typically well groomed, well dressed, organized and possess great sensitivity.  They are artsy, and that is reflected in every aspect of their being.  Right down to the clothing they wear and car they choose to drive!  They also tend to be shy, which is in contrast to the artsy style.  

If you’re looking for more, here are some additional observations to take this new hobby even further:

Passive Personality – If you are the type of person who goes with the flow and rarely gets stressed out, you likely have flatter canines with curvier tops. 

Anxious Personality – If you tend to bite your nails or grind your teeth when anxious you most likely have smaller than average teeth.

Aggressive Personality – If you are a slightly aggressive person you most likely have thinner, more pronounced canines that often protrude out past the lateral incisors.

Reckless Personality – If you are known as a party animal you are most likely relaxed about habits like drinking and smoking which often result in stained teeth!

Enjoy your new hobby, and have fun!   

Cure For Tooth Sensitivity?

Do you suffer from tooth sensitivity? If yes, you may be in luck!  

According to a news article by Melissa Busch (Dr.Bicuspid.com associate editor) posted the following article:

"March 29, 2021 -- Scientists have identified a protein in tooth cells that helps detect cold, possibly paving the way for new treatments for tooth sensitivity and pain, according to a study published on March 26 in Science Advances.

They found that tooth cells called odontoblasts contain the ion channel transient receptor potential channel 5 (TRPC5), a specialized protein that functions as a cold sensor. Additionally, more TRPC5 is present in teeth with cavities.

Based on prior research, the researchers knew TRPC5 was sensitive to cold, but they didn't know where, specifically, it reacted to temperature. This led them to examine odontoblasts, which reside in the outer zone of tooth pulp, making a natural barrier between hard tissues and soft dental pulp. They found that odontoblasts are necessary for sensing cold stimuli.

"TRPC5 may be an effective target for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity and inflammatory tooth pain," wrote the group, led by Dr. Laura Bernal from Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany.

Though many patients experience tooth sensitivity, the mechanisms behind cold sensation aren't completely known. One theory has been that tiny canals inside the teeth contain a substance that moves with temperature alterations. Some have suggested that nerves can sense the direction of the movement, signaling whether the tooth is hot or cold.

Bernal and colleagues developed a jaw-nerve preparation that recorded neural activity from intact teeth in mice under anesthesia. When researchers touched the teeth with an ice-cold solution, the drop in temperature prompted neural activity, indicating that the tooth was sensing cold. However, mice without functioning TRPC5 did not have the same reaction.

Extracted human teeth were also analyzed to determine the role tooth decay plays in sensitivity. More TRPC5 resided in human teeth with decay, and TRPC5 sensory nerve expression rose significantly in teeth with pulpitis.

Additionally, TRPC5 may signal protracted pain and operate as an oxidative stress sensor during inflammation. Therefore, TRPC5 may be the target needed to develop treatments for tooth inflammatory pain and sensitivity. This also explains why clove oil, which mostly contains eugenol, has been used as a pain reliever in dentistry for centuries. Clove oil inhibits TRPC5 currents, the authors wrote.

A limitation of the study is that TRPC5 could not be evaluated in response to cold in odontoblasts in live, unanesthetized mice, the authors noted.

Nevertheless, they concluded that the study closed an important gap in the understanding of tooth pain. And now that the knowledge is out there, it opens the door to new treatment options.

"Once you have a molecule to target, there is a possibility of treatment," stated electrophysiologist and senior study author Dr. Katharina Zimmerman in a release."

What are your thoughts?