Holy Halitosis, Batman!

We’ve all woken up with morning breathe: an intolerable odor that generally goes away once you brush your teeth, floss and use a little mouthwash. Most of us have also had horrible breath after eating something like onion or garlic; but again, this too is easily solved with a mint or gum. But what if your bad breath stayed with you, no matter how much you brushed or how many packs of gum you went through in a day? This is what is medically known as halitosis.

It’s no big deal when bad breath is a temporary problem; but when the problem lingers, it’s obvious that something is out of whack. Halitosis is commonly caused by poor dental hygiene and in some cases can be a sign of a brewing health problem. So what really causes bad breath?

When we eat, the food we chew and consume is broken down in the mouth. All food is eventually digested and then absorbed into the bloodstream. This means that some of the particles enter the lungs and are given off each time you breathe. At the same time, bad breath can also be caused by poor dental hygiene. Irregular brushing and flossing can allow food particles to build up in the mouth, which then causes excessive bacteria growth on the teeth, between the teeth, as well as on the gums and the tongue. These bacteria, to no surprise, stink! Certain habits, such as smoking or chewing tobacco, can also lead to smelly breath.

Health Problems – Causes and Effects

When considering halitosis, the problem can be both a cause and effect condition. For example, persistent bad breath can be caused by gum disease in which bacteria causes toxins to flourish within the mouth. Oral yeast infections and other infections can also cause bad breath. On the other hand, halitosis can be the result of certain health conditions. Dry mouth, bronchitis, diabetes, acid reflux, and respiratory infections can all cause one to have breath that reeks for days – literally!

If smelly breath has been plaguing you for some time now, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Pappas’ office to schedule an appointment. Halitosis isn’t just unpleasant; it could be the sign of a very serious infection brewing in your mouth.

Early Detection of TMJ and Possible Prevention

When most people think of dental and oral health problems, they probably automatically picture cavities, fillings, tooth loss, gum disease, and other well-known conditions that affect the teeth and mouth; however, there are many other problems that can occur within the mouth that many patients do not know about. Take TMJ, for instance. Though not very well known, TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the jaw joint and causes a variety of symptoms including jaw pain, neck pain, headaches and others.

Generally, one of the most obvious tell-tale signs of TMJ disorder is grinding or clenching of the teeth. When the teeth constantly grind or are clenched at night – which causes excess pressure and tension on the teeth as well as the jaw joint – a patient could develop TMJ. To fix teeth grinding and clenching, patients can wear a mouth guard at night, which will protect the teeth and prevent further damage.

When a patient grinds or clenches his or her teeth, the added pressure and tension can damage the dentition, which leaves the teeth and jaw vulnerable to added damage. To ensure that damaged dentition doesn’t result in TMJ disorder, early detection and treatment is a must. Patients who recognize that they clench or grind their teeth at night should seek treatment immediately.

Don’t Let a Treatable Condition Cause More Oral Health Problems

The key to preventing TMJ is awareness. Patients should be aware of their clenching and grinding at night and need to know that treatment is a must have. TMJ disorder is a treatable condition when the underlying causes and precursors are quickly acted upon. Early detection requires the skills and experience of a dentist, such as Dr. Pappas. To learn more about TMJ treatment and prevention, call Dr. Pappas’ office today. Patients can also email us here.

Bone Resorption in the Jaw – What it is and the Consequences of it

While bone is naturally very rigid, it isn’t necessarily permanent or unalterable. In fact, bone is known to be highly dynamic, as it constantly goes through a cycle of regeneration and resorption. In this latter cycle, the osteoclasts break down the body’s bones – including the jawbone – to release needed minerals, such as calcium, into the blood. However, the process is often interrupted when teeth are missing from the mouth which can lead to many negative consequences.

Jaw bone are known to keep their structure, size, and volume through natural activities such as chewing; however, once the teeth are no longer present, the body thinks that the calcium once in the teeth is no longer needed, which then causes the bone resorption process to occur. During resorption, the bone growth and maintenance stops at the site where a tooth or several teeth are missing. A section of the jaw bone that holds the teeth in the mouth, known as the alveolar bone, will no longer receive stimuli, which then causes bone resorption.

What Causes Bone Resorption?

Generally, bone resorption occurs when teeth are missing or severely damaged due to an oral deformity, trauma, or disease, such as tooth decay. Tooth extractions, periodontal disease, and dentures have also been linked to causing bone resorption in the jaw.

Bone resorption is best prevented through proper dental care and hygiene. Patients who are missing a tooth or teeth should seek out a dentist, such as Dr. Pappas, who offers dental implants. Unlike dentures, dental implants are beneficial for the health in various ways. Dental implants are anchored to the jaw bone, which allows for the natural and mechanical stimuli of biting and chewing to occur. If bone resorption in the jaw occurs for a long period of time, patients may experience pain while chewing, eating, and talking due to an ever-shrinking jaw bone.

To protect your teeth, smile, and your jaw bone, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Pappas today. Dr. Pappas will ensure that your mouth, as a whole, is healthy and that your jaw bone and other connected oral bones are structurally functioning as expected. Patients can call or email our office to schedule an appointment.