Treating Bad Breath

One of the most common questions we get is “How can I make sure my breath is always pleasant?” Many patients come to our office with the complaint of bad breath or a bad taste in their mouth. Fresh breath is something we all want, and is an expected part of our social graces. It’s just as big a part of making a great impression as any other aspect of your smile. If your oral hygiene is good and you still have trouble with bad breath, you could have gum disease, which allows more bacteria to build up than you can clean away. Our hygienists can help by thoroughly cleaning around your teeth and gums.  Please make sure to talk to us if bad breath is a concern so we can evaluate your gums. In certain cases you may be more prone to the bacteria which causes bad breath even if your oral hygiene is good and your gums are healthy. This means you could have a sub-clinical bacterial infection. This is where a large amount of bacteria is present but the inflammatory response within the gums is negligible. We typically investigate by sampling the bacteria in your mouth and having it analyzed at the lab. If the bacteria levels are high, we will treat you with antibiotic rinses to lower the bacteria and allow the healthy type of bacteria in your mouth to repopulate. In cases where all of our tests are negative we will recommend that you consult your physician for stomach tests.  There are bacteria in the stomach which produce the same compounds as the oral bacteria that causes bad breath, and the cure may lay there. As we all know certain foods that we eat contribute to bad breath, such and onions and garlic, to name few. These vanish in time and can be eliminated quickly by using sugar-free mints, chewing gum, by brushing your teeth and using a mouth rinse. Bad breath can also be addressed by maintaining great oral hygiene which keeps the teeth and gums as clean and free of bacteria as possible. Remember to brush your tongue because the tongue has very deep pits and grooves where bacteria can escape lighter cleanings. If you have any concerns about your breath call us today at (905) 303-9355 or click here  to request an appointment.

Dental X-Rays Demystified

Many patients have questions surrounding when they need to take x-rays and if they have a choice. Let’s look at Dental x-rays a little closer to answer these questions and more. Dental x-rays allow us to see between your teeth and under the gums to the bone which is responsible for holding your teeth in place. These hidden areas can have a big impact on the maintenance of your teeth and gums. In short, dental x-rays allow us to catch and treat hidden problems as early as possible. X-rays also allow us to catch cysts and tumors that can occur in the jaw, but may not necessarily cause symptoms. Here are a few questions I am frequently asked by patients: How frequently should I have x-rays taken? New patients will have x-rays taken when they enter the practice. After that, we will take a few x-rays every year or two for adults and a full set every five years as a part of the Complete Oral Exam. If you’ve had x-rays taken at another dentist within the last year, we can request that they be transferred to our office. What if I don’t want to have x-rays?      You’re always allowed to refuse x-rays for yourself or for your children. However, we don’t recommend avoiding x-rays as they greatly enhance our ability to find and treat problems. We may, in some cases require that you sign a release when other medical factors are present which may we increase risk, but you will be informed of such risks and you’ll always have the final say. How much radiation can dental x-rays expose us to? Exposure to radiation from dental x-rays is minimal. Forman Dental Care switched to digital intra-oral x-rays in January 2010 allowing us to cut your exposure by 50%. You will always be protected by a lead apron with a thyroid collar. In actuality, you’ll be exposed to about one fifth of the radiation as you would from living in a brick house for a year, which is very low. If you have any questions or concerns about dental x-rays or any other dental issue, please don’t hesitate to contact Forman Dental Care. To make an appointment, you can use our appointment booking tool, or call us at (905) 303-9355.