How to Treat Bad Breath With Family Dental Abingdon
Family Dental Abingdon Box Hill Family, Cosmetic, and Children’s Dentistry In Bel Air, MD Area
Keeping your smile healthy is crucial for preserving your overall health. However, bad breath is a common oral problem that can undermine your confidence and impact your quality of life. Fortunately, it’s easy to treat with simple steps.
Bad Breath
Bad breath (also known as halitosis) results from bacteria in the mouth that produce sulfur gases and the smell of foods eaten. Chronic bad breath can be a sign of serious family dental Abingdon problems or other medical issues.
Brushing and flossing remove food particles that cause odors. Certain foods like garlic and onions can also contribute to bad breath. Gum disease, especially gingivitis and periodontitis, is another major contributing factor to halitosis due to the bacteria living under inflamed gum tissue. Tobacco and certain medications can also cause bad breath by causing dry mouth.
A thorough oral exam can help a dentist find and treat the causes of bad breath. Treatment of dental cavities and gum disease can eliminate odors caused by decaying tooth material. Special mouthwashes and mints may temporarily mask odors, but they do not address the root of the problem. Routine visits to the dentist ensure that existing dental issues are caught and treated in their early stages before they worsen.
Teeth Whitening
Whitening is a safe, effective method for lightening discolorations of your teeth. It is most effective on natural tooth enamel; however, it can also be used on crowns & fillings. It is important to note that whitening will not correct all types of tooth discolorations, such as intrinsic staining (stains that occur within the enamel) & yellowish stains caused by tetracycline or fluorosis.
To perform a professional whitening, we first protect your gums, tongue & lips using a shield or soft plastic barrier. Then, we apply the whitening gel to your teeth & then shine a special light on them to activate the chemical. We repeat this process a few times to achieve your desired level of whiteness.
Teeth whitening is not permanent, so you will need touch-up treatments from time to time. You can prolong the life of your results by avoiding foods & beverages that stain your teeth & practicing good oral hygiene.
Dental Implants
If you have missing teeth, family dental Abingdon can replace them. They look and feel more natural than bridges or dentures. Implants also help prevent bone loss in your jaw. Your dentist will take X-rays and other diagnostic images to evaluate your bone density in the upper and lower jaws. This helps determine whether you need a bone graft.
Then, during the procedure, you’ll be under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will numb your gums and may give you prescription pain medicine to take at home.
Your surgeon will make an incision in your gums to expose the bone. He or she will drill holes into the bone to place the metal implant post. Then your surgeon will reposition the gums and close the incisions. Some patients need a second surgery to attach the abutment. Other patients choose to have a one-stage surgical approach. This involves placing the implant body and permucosal element (abutment) in the bone, then immediately replacing it with a prosthetic tooth on the same day.
Dental Anxiety
Fear of going to the dentist or dental procedures is common and affects many people. However, it can lead to avoidance of appointments and poor oral health. It can also impact quality of life and relationships. People can experience anxiety from a range of factors including childhood experiences, mental health conditions and medications.
There are a number of ways to help overcome dental anxiety. One way is to talk about it with the dentist and ask if there are any things they can do to make you feel more comfortable during an appointment. Having an open and honest conversation can allow the dentist to provide more compassionate care. They can also work out a signal with the patient to indicate when they need a break.
A person can try to distract themselves from their fears during a dental exam by listening to music, squeezing a stress ball or imagining being in a calm place. They can also bring a trusted friend or family member with them to support them.
