Our Blog

Nobody likes bad breath, and although it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have it, it is always better to practice good oral health than risk having a smelly mouth. There are many ways to reduce or eliminate bad breath, some are definitely more effective and longer lasting than others. Check out ways to do so below.

Floss Regularly

As difficult as it can be to remember to floss regularly, when it comes to bad breath, flossing is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to freshen your mouth. See, flossing reduces the plaque and bacteria found in areas of your mouth that a toothbrush simply can't reach, and in turn, it rids your mouth of the smell associated with that bacteria. While flossing may not eliminate bad breath on its own, if you do it along with other health oral hygiene habits like brushing, then you may just develop a fresher smelling mouth.

Use Mouthwash

Using some sort of mouthwash can really freshen up your breath, especially if you find it still smells after brushing and flossing. There is a wide variety of mouthwash products on the market, however, you can also create your own by simply using baking soda mixed with water.

Always Brush after You Sleep

Whether after taking a nap, or having a full night of sleep, you will want to brush your teeth in order to reduce bad breath. The truth is, bacteria accumulates in your mouth while you are sleeping (even during a short nap) and that is ultimately the source of bad breath. So next time you wake from a good slumber, give your mouth some brushing and you will find it makes a big difference in the freshness of your breath.

There are many ways to freshen your breath beyond just using gum or mints, the above mentioned are just a few for you to try. Test them out and you will likely find your bad breath problem is solved, or at least considerably reduced. Of course, you can always ask Dr. Kerry Olszewski at your next visit to our Mill Creek office.

Taking care of your oral health involves a daily regimen of brushing, flossing, and rinsing to prevent tooth decay and bacterial infections. Though you may have asked us which toothbrush to use, few patients at Mill Creek General Dentistry ask about mouthwash.

However, different mouthwashes you might choose will have varying effects on your oral health. So which type is best for you?

Gum Health

Antiseptic mouthwashes are designed to reduce the majority of bacteria on and near the gum line. Using an antiseptic mouthwash can help decrease your chances of developing gingivitis. If possible, look for a mouthwash with antibacterial or antimicrobial ingredients.

Fluoride

Fluoride is beneficial for oral health and can help prevent tooth decay. If you drink a lot of bottled water without fluoride, we may recommend that you purchase a rinse with fluoride in it.

Bad Breath

Although mouthwash is designed to prevent bacterial build-up within the mouth, many people use it to combat bad breath. Most mouthwashes will help eliminate the bacteria that cause bad breath, and some are specifically designed to do so.

However, if bad breath is a chronic problem that requires daily treatment with a mouth rinse, contact Mill Creek General Dentistry to discuss your symptoms.

American Dental Association Approval

The ADA reviews mouth rinses for safety and effectiveness. A mouthwash with the ADA Seal of Approval will meet strict criteria, and will have scientific evidence or clinical studies that support the claims of the manufacturer. If possible, select a mouthwash that bears the ADA Seal of Approval to ensure you are using a quality rinse.

Considerations

If you are unsure as to which mouthwash is right for you, contact our Mill Creek office or ask Dr. Kerry Olszewski during your next visit. Also, be sure to keep mouthwash out of the reach of children, as it contains alcohol and other substances that could be harmful to them. Avoid letting children under age six use a mouth rinse, and discontinue use if you experience a burning sensation in the soft tissues of your mouth.

If you or your children suffer from dental anxiety, you aren’t alone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, between nine and 15 percent of Americans admit to feeling sufficiently afraid of going to the dentist to avoid making an appointment. The potential consequences of dental anxiety extend beyond poor oral health. Lack of dental care can cause serious but easily preventable medical conditions.

Dental Anxiety versus Dental Phobia

Dental anxiety provokes a sense of fear in people, typically before they arrive at Mill Creek General Dentistry. Those fears or worries are often exaggerated. Dental phobia shares many of the symptoms that characterize dental anxiety. It is a much more serious manifestation of that anxiety, and may provoke a sense of panic or terror in people. While people who suffer from dental phobias know that their feelings are irrational, they are unable to control, stop, or change those thoughts.

People who have dental phobias often avoid going to the dentist, and they come up with every possible excuse to justify not going. The only time a person who suffers from a dental phobia will go to the dentist is when he or she is forced to do so, or because of intense tooth pain. People who have dental anxiety don’t go to such extremes to avoid going to the dentist; anxiety usually begins in anticipation of the appointment.

What We Do to Ease Patient Anxiety

Dr. Kerry Olszewski and our staff have many techniques we can use to help patients feel more comfortable at their appointments. Dental Fear Central gives some simple suggestions to help children and adults who are apprehensive about going to the dentist, even if they suffer from the more severe form of anxiety: full-blown dental phobia.

• The Tell-Show-Do Approach: We help our patients relax by making sure they understand what is involved in the exam and any procedure they may undergo. We tell patients about the procedure, show them the tools and equipment we intend to use, and answer questions before actually performing the procedure. This is helpful for patients who don’t know what to expect.

• Distraction: We offer personal music players and a collection of CDs that patients can listen to. The relaxing qualities of music may help distract a patient enough to make the process less stressful. In-office televisions allow you to watch TV while waiting for your appointment.

Dr. Kerry Olszewski and our staff know that some patients are anxious about dental treatment, and we go to great lengths to make you feel more comfortable. Good oral health is very important, and when your mouth isn’t healthy, you can suffer from many other easily preventable medical problems.

A whole month devoted to our gums? If that seems a bit over-the-top, let’s take a moment to consider just how important these under-the-teeth heroes are. Because, while your healthy, confident smile is a gift you’re happy to share with the world, that smile wouldn’t be possible without healthy gums protecting your teeth and the structures which support them.

The gums are made of connective tissue covered with a mucous membrane layer. Healthy gums are firm and fit snugly around each tooth. This snug fit prevents plaque and food particles from reaching the tooth’s roots, which can cause decay. But our gums don’t just protect our teeth—they also cover and form a seal around the ligaments and bone which hold our teeth in place, protecting them from bacteria and infection.

Healthy gums are essential for healthy smiles. Give your gums the protection they deserve from the very start with some basic gum care:

Treat Your Gums Gently

• Heavy-handed brushing and flossing can damage delicate gum tissue. Always use a soft-bristled brush, and brush at an angle to clean away plaque where the gums meet the teeth. Floss properly to avoid gum injuries.
• Ask a team member at Mill Creek General Dentistry for tips if your gums are suffering from too-vigorous brushing and flossing. A quick refresher in proper technique might make all the difference.
• Electric toothbrushes and water flossers can be very helpful for thorough and gentle cleaning around the gums—and are especially helpful for people with mobility issues or who wear dental appliances.

Eat a Gum-Healthy Diet

September is also the month we celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day, and “arrr” pirate friends can teach us a lesson about gum health. Life on the high seas centuries ago was never easy, and scurvy was one of the major reasons why. In its early stages, this disease caused painful, swollen, bleeding gums and tooth loss. The cause of scurvy? Too little vitamin C in sailors’ diets.

Today we realize the importance of a balanced diet for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, with nutrients from A to Z providing essential benefits:

• Vitamin A is necessary for the integrity of mucous membranes, including the gums, as they act as a barrier to infection.
• Vitamin C helps us produce collagen, which provides vital support and structure to gum tissue and helps encourage tissue repair.
• Vitamin D fights infection and reduces the inflammation which can lead to gum disease.
• Iron deficiency can cause anemia, which prevents our immune systems from working effectively to fight infection.
• Magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Zinc is important for reducing inflammation and healing wounds.

These are just a few examples! The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, and proteins are good for your whole body, not just your gums, so talk to your doctor if you want to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need.

Help Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease can sneak up on you because it’s painless in its early stages. If you’re not brushing and flossing thoroughly, plaque and tartar around the gum line will build up. This buildup irritates the gums, causing redness, bleeding, and swelling—an early stage of gum disease called gingivitis.

Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease. The gums pull away from the teeth creating pockets around them. These pockets become home to harmful bacteria which attack the ligaments and bone tissue around the teeth. Teeth become loose and eventually fall out or need to be extracted.

Fortunately, gum disease is largely preventable.

• Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and floss once a day or as recommended to remove plaque and prevent tartar formation.
• Evaluating your gum health is part of every dental exam, so see the team at Mill Creek General Dentistry for an examination and a professional cleaning as often as recommended.
• Genetic factors and certain medical conditions can put some people at higher risk for serious gum disease. Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can also leave gums more vulnerable to inflammation and disease. If you’re in one of these groups, your dentist and doctor can work together to design a treatment plan.
• If you have symptoms of advanced gum disease, talk to Dr. Kerry Olszewski about a periodontal referral.

Quit the Habit

Smoking increases the risk of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer, as well as many other health complications.

• If you’ve never smoked, don’t start.
• If you do smoke, talk to your dentist or doctor about the best ways to quit the habit. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to stopping smoking, and your care team can suggest methods which will work best for you.
• There is growing evidence which suggests that gum disease is linked to higher rates of diabetes complications, heart disease, and stroke. Protect your oral health and your overall health with timely treatment.

Don’t Ignore Symptoms

Gum pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, bad breath, deep gum pockets, and gum recession can be symptoms of gingivitis and/or periodontitis. Persistent sores, red or white patches, or lumps might be symptomatic of oral cancer or other health conditions.

• Make your dental and medical health a priority by seeing Dr. Kerry Olszewski if you have any questions or concerns about your gum health. Early treatment leads to the best outcomes.
• Most important, keep up with your scheduled examinations. Regular exams will help you discover and treat any oral health problems before they become more serious.

Take a moment this month to review your gum health, to check for ways to improve your gum care routine, and to contact your dental team in Mill Creek if you have any questions. After all, while your smile is the main event, your sparkling, confident smile wouldn’t be possible without healthy gums providing essential support.