What Could Your Bad Breath Be Telling You?

Checking your breath may not just save you from embarrassing social moments, but it could save your life!

Recurring bad breath could be a sign of underlying medical conditions.:

• Fish Breath: kidney failure- The fishy breath occurs when kidney failure affects the respiratory system and makes it hard to breathe. This is because the damaged kidneys can no longer filter waste products from the blood and turn it into the urine.
• Sleep conditions may cause sour mouth- Saliva decreases during sleep, which causes a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Excess weight-  A poor diet and lack of water can play a major role in bad breath. Try drinking more water and eating lots of fruit and vegetables, this will help keep your breath fresh.

Below are some tests that are available to help detect specific medical conditions:

• Electric Nose Technology: Detects lung cancer from bad breath. This is a cheaper alternative than doing a biopsy to detect lung cancer. The "electronic nose" detects different profiles of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breaths.
• Breath tests: This can detect heart failure. By taking a breath test, researchers can use "mass spectrometry" technology to analyze the sample for molecular and chemical compound signs of heart failure.

Isn't technology wonderful?  Most people would have no idea that these tests exist!

So, here's the takeaway: If you notice bad breath that just won't go away,  please seek medical help! It could mean you simply need a good cleaning, but it could be more than that!

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Are Mail Order Orthodontic Devices Right For You?

 Clear braces are the current rave...and many young adults and teens are hoping to escape those "ugly metal braces".  But are they right for you?  Maybe not!

Clear braces may sound like a more attractive deal than they really are.  There are many mail order types available, ranging from $79 kits to $1895 packages that allow you to take your own impressions, mail them in and then wait for the aligners to come in the mail.  What many people don't understand is that there are  certain dental maladies that clear braces cannot fix, such as a tooth that has not fully erupted or grown in, or a twisted tooth, or even a misaligned jaw.  Those things require metal braces. While companies like Invisalign have come a long way in recent years, i.e. treating more severe cases of malocclusion, there are still advantages to wearing metal braces. Additionally, you may be required to wear clear braces for a longer period of time than you might with metal braces.  

Clear braces are expensive.  Although some insurance companies now cover Invisalign, be sure to see a certified Invisalign provider to make sure it is the right fit for you!  

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What are "Chalky Teeth"?

 Have you ever heard of "chalky teeth"? Good, me either!

The technical term for "chalky teeth" is Hypomineralisation. This happens when a person has a decreased mineral content within the tooth's enamel. People who have experienced "chalky teeth" describe the sensation as their teeth "feel a little rough and have a grainy, almost chalky feeling to them."

The majority of adults who suffer from "chalky teeth" eat a vegan or vegetarian diet. This is due to the high levels of oxalate acid found within the leafy greens. Once the greens enter the mouth, they react to the calcium found in the salvia. This then creates the feeling of "chalky teeth".

If you have noticed any "chalky" sensation on your teeth, start by brushing and using mouthwash after every meal. If this doesn't seem to clear up, you should contact your dental provider for a dental examination to figure out the best type of treatment!

Information found here!

Repost from January 2022