Don't cry foul ! Bad breath is treatable

Don’t cry foul!

Bad breath is treatable

A lot of people are embarrassed by bad breath, but it is a problem that can usually be solved. Certain foods and beverages can cause bad breath. When strong foods like onions and garlic are the cause, bad breath is only temporary. However, some people suffer from more permanent and lasting breath problems.


The causes of bad breath

Most bad breath, also known as halitosis, is caused by incomplete or insufficient oral hygiene, along with eating foods that contribute to bad breath. What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods contribute to bad breath. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled.

Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will mask the odor only temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.


Dry mouth

Another common cause of bad breath is dry mouth, which happens when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth happens naturally when you sleep. You may refer to it when you wake as “morning breath.” It is generally worse in those people who are “mouth breathers” or sleep with their mouths open and those who tend to snore more often.

Dry mouth also may be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, cancer chemotherapy, or head and neck radiation treatments. It also is simply more common to have dry mouth as you age. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe artificial saliva or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake. 

And smokers? Almost all people who use tobacco have bad breath. Talk to your dentist about ways to kick the habit.  

Gum disease

Bad breath also may be a sign that you have other mouth issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease. One of the warning signs of gum disease is bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth.

The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums. In the advanced stage of the disease, the gums, bone and other structures that support the teeth become damaged. With regular dental checkups, your dentist can detect and treat gum disease early. Sometimes, bad breath can be a sign of a more serious health issue. If your bad breath has a particular reoccurring odor; perhaps fishy, fruity or like ammonia, you might need to see your physician.

Diagnosis and treatment  

When you eat, minute particles of food get trapped between your teeth and in tiny grooves and bumps on your tongue. That’s why proper brushing and flossing are the first line of defense against bad breath.

Many people use mouthwash to combat bad breath, but most over-the counter rinses are just a temporary mask and do not solve the underlying problem. Your local West Michigan Dental Society member dentist may recommend a medicated mouthwash instead. With good care on your part and professional care from your dentist, you can combat bad breath and enjoy life with confidence.

Brought to you by the 600 members of the West Michigan District Dental Society in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists are also members of the Michigan Dental Association.

Wake up with a headache or jaw pain? You may need a night guard.

My spouse tells me I grind my teeth at night. Could this explain why I often wake up with a headache?

 

Yes, tooth grinding and clenching are symptomatic of a condition known as bruxism. It can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ)disorder that, in turn, can cause headaches. 

People who grind their teeth during sleep usually rub their lower teeth against their upper teeth in a back-and-forth or side-to-side motion.

It sounds like chewing on hard crackers or ice cubes. Clenching is more like a rocking motion of the lower teeth against the uppers. Some people don’t realize they have bruxism unless a bed partner mentions it or a dentist points out worn down areas on the teeth. Some people with bruxism also clench their jaw repeatedly during the day. It may be when they are angry or agitated, but often they just do it, for no good reason. They’re not even aware they do it. But it can add to the damage done to the teeth. The temporomandibular joints are flexible joints found on each side of your head just in front of the ear. They connect your lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull. TMJ disorder can cause dull, deep morning headaches that may or may not subside during the day.

People who frequently grind their teeth can develop stiff neck muscles — a possible trigger for headaches. The pain of these headaches usually centers around the sides and back of the head.

Other symptoms of TMJ disorder include a clicking or popping of the jaw joints, pain in or around the jaws, and locking or limited opening of the mouth.

If you think your headaches might be due to bruxism or TMJ disorder, consult your dentist. He or she may refer you to a pain specialist.

A dental night guard can help reduce the symptoms of bruxism.  

This is a small piece of hard plastic custom-fitted to your upper teeth.

People who clench their jaw repeatedly during the day are advised to wear the “night” guard even during those times of the day when they are working alone and don’t have to talk to others.

Why do people grind their teeth at night? I wish we knew. It’s one of the many common conditions that doctors understand poorly.

While stress may provoke it in some people, there are plenty of other people who live with lots of stress and never grind their teeth.

 

Make an appointment to discuss the best treatment for you if you clench and grind your teeth or wake up with jaw pain or headaches.

 Reference: Grand Rapids Press

Dr. Anthony Komaroff

Visit your dentist if you have any of these 10 symptoms

Even those with good oral hygiene can experience problems 
We all know it’s important to take good care of our oral health by brushing, flossing and seeing a dentistregularly. Even with proper oral health habits at home, we can encounter problems. According the American Dental Association’s website mouthhealthy.org, here are the top 10 dental symptoms: 

1. Toothache 

If your mouth or jaw hurt, it could be from a toothache. Toothaches usually indicate a cavity, but they also can signal gum disease. In some cases, a toothache is a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth. A toothache should be evaluated by a dentist to determine the cause of the problem and prevent the tooth from dying. 

2. Sensitive teeth 

If your teeth hurt when you drink hot or cold beverages, it can be the result of tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel or an exposed tooth root because of gum recession. Treatment will depend upon what is causing the sensitivity. If you’re concerned about the sensitive teeth, see your dentist for diagnosis and treatment options. 

3. Bleeding or sore gums 

Bleeding or sore gums can be a sign of gingivitis, an early and reversible stage of gum disease, or simply the result of brushing too hard or starting a new flossing routine. If your gums bleed regularly or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist. It could be a sign that something else is wrong. 

4. Mouth sores 

Types of mouth sores include canker sores, cold sores and other conditions that vary in their severity and causes. Mouth sores could be the symptom of a disease or disorder; infection from bacteria, viruses or fungus; or the result of irritation caused by braces, dentures or the sharp edge of a broken tooth or filling. Your dentist should examine any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer. 

5. Bad breath 

Bad breath can be caused by what you eat, not cleaning your mouth, dry mouth, smoking or other medical conditions. Persistent bad breath also can be one of the warning signs of gum disease. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily are essential to reducing bad breath and preventing gum disease. Brushing your tongue can help, too. If you’re concerned about what’s causing your bad breath, see your dentist, who can determine the cause and a treatment plan. 

6. Jaw pain or clicking in the jaw 

Many things can cause these symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose. Possible causes include sinus problems, toothache, arthritis, injury, teeth grinding, gum disease or problems with your jaw, such as TMJ. Your dentist will conduct a thorough exam, which might include X-rays, to determine the source of the pain. 

7. Dry mouth 

If you have dry mouth, it might be the symptom of a medical disorder or a side effect of certain medications. Saliva is the mouth’s primary defense against tooth decay. It washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. Your dentist can recommend ways to restore moisture. 

8. Oral piercing infection 

Oral piercings can create a wide range of problems for your health, oral and otherwise. Your mouth is home to huge amounts of bacteria, creating an ideal place for infection to start. If you have any signs of infection — swelling, pain, fever, chills, shaking or a red streaked appearance around the site of the piercing — contact your dentist or physician immediately. 

9. Cracked or broken teeth 

A cracked or broken tooth can happen for a variety of reasons — brittle teeth, grinding or injury. The crack might be not be visible to the naked eye, or even an X-ray, but they can be incredibly painful and create bigger problems if left untreated. If you experience pain when chewing, see your dentist. 

10. Stained or discolored teeth 

Over time, your teeth can become stained and change color. This often is the result of eating certain foods, such as coffee or tea, smoking, aging, genetics, injury or certain medications. Whitening options can include over-the-counter or in-office treatments. Check with your dentist about your options for stain removal. 

Brought to you by the 600 members of the West Michigan District Dental Society in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Mecosta and Montcalm counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists also are members of the Michigan Dental Association.

 

It is predicted that by 2020 HPV will cause more ORAL cancer than Cervical Cancer. OraRisk testing is available and recommended.

WASHINGTON — A prolonged sore throat once was considered a cancer worry mainly for smokers and drinkers. Today there's another risk: A sexually transmitted virus is fueling a rise in oral cancer.
The HPV virus is best known for causing cervical cancer. But it can cause cancer in the upper throat, too, and a new study says HPV-positive tumors now account for a majority of these cases of what is called oropharyngeal cancer.

If that trend continues, that type of oral cancer will become the nation's main HPV-related cancer within the decade, surpassing cervical cancer, researchers from Ohio State University and the National Cancer Institute report Monday.

"There is an urgency to try to figure out how to prevent this," says Dr. Amy Chen of the American Cancer Society and Emory University, who wasn't part of the new research.
While women sometimes get oral cancer caused by the HPV, the risk is greatest and rising among men, researchers reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. No one knows why, but it begs the question of whether the vaccine given to girls and young women to protect against cervical cancer also might protect against oral HPV.

HPV vaccination is approved for boys to prevent genital warts and anal cancer, additional problems caused by human papillomavirus. But protection against oral HPV hasn't been studied in either gender, says Dr. Maura Gillison, a head-and-neck cancer specialist at Ohio State and senior author of the new research. That's important, because it's possible to have HPV in one part of the body but not the other, she says. A spokeswoman for Merck & Co., maker of the HPV vaccine Gardasil, said the company has no plans for an oral cancer study.

Monday's research was funded by the NCI and Ohio State. Gillison has been a consultant to Merck.
There are nearly 10,000 new cases of oropharyngeal cancer a year, and overall incidence has risen by 28 percent since 1988 even as other types of head-and-neck cancer have been declining.

Tobacco and alcohol have long been the main causes of these tumors, which occur in the tonsils, base of the tongue and upper throat. But over the past few years, studies have shown HPV is playing a role in that rise, probably due to an increase in oral sex even as tobacco use was dropping.

The new study took a closer look, tracking HPV over time by directly testing tumor tissue from 271 patients that had been stored in cancer registries in Hawaii, Iowa and Los Angeles. The proportion that were HPV-positive rose from just 16 percent in the late 1980s to nearly 73 percent by the early 2000s.
Translate that to the overall population, and the researchers concluded that incidence rates of the HPV-positive tumors more than tripled while HPV-negative tumors dropped by half.

Oral cancer has always been a bigger threat to men than women. Gillison says women account for only about 1 in 4 cases, and their incidence is holding steady while men's is rising. That raises questions about gender differences in sexual behavior or whether oral HPV infection is likely to linger longer in men.

While HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, studies show women's bodies usually clear the virus from the cervix quickly; only an infection that persists for years is a cancer risk. It's not known if oral HPV acts similarly or even is as common.

Nor is it clear if oral sex is the only way it's transmitted, cautions Dr. Gregory Masters of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, an oncologist at Delaware's Helen Graham Cancer Center.
Regardless, just over 11,000 cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year, a number that has been dropping steadily thanks to better Pap smears. (It's too soon to know what difference vaccination will make.) Gillison's team calculated that annual cases of cervical cancer will drop to 7,700 by 2020 – compared with about 8,700 cases of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer by then, about 7,400 of them in men.

The cancer society's Chen urged caution about those numbers, saying more data is needed. But she says two things are clear: First, patients with HPV-linked oral tumors have better survival odds than those with other types of this cancer, possibly because they tend to be younger. Studies are beginning to test if they can scale back today's treatment and thus suffer fewer long-term side effects such as problems with speech and swallowing.

And "just because you're not a smoker or drinker doesn't mean you can't get throat cancer," Chen says – so get checked for symptoms like a throat that's sore for longer than two weeks.

~ Lauran Neergaard - Huffington Post

Our office offers The OraRisk^® HPV Salivary Diagnostic Test

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common virus groups in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 20 million people in the United States are infected with HPV and there are approximately 6 million new cases each year.

Oral HPV is a manifestation of the HPV virus in the mouth, and is primarily found in the oropharyngeal complex. Specific types of oral HPV are now considered to be separate and serious risk factor for developing oral cancers. Early detection and identification of the presence or absence of oral HPV is important, as early oral HPV infections do not typically cause any clinical signs or symptoms.
The OraRisk^® HPV test is a non-invasive, easy-to-use screening tool to identify the type(s) of oral HPV, a mucosal viral infection that could potentially lead to oral cancer. OraRisk^® HPV enables the clinician to establish increased risk for oral cancer and determine appropriate referral and monitoring conditions.

Who should be tested?

• Patients with traditional risk factors for oral cancer
• Patients who are sexually active
• Patients with signs and symptoms of oral cancer
• Patients with suspicious oral lesions

Schedule an appointment for your OraRisk^® HPV Salivary Diagnostic Test

April Showers bring May Flowers, but they can also bring Sinusitis and Toothaches

April Showers bring May Flowers

 Unfortunately April and May also can bring Sinusitis and Toothaches.

 The change of the season can bring on Sinusitis and in Michigan the seasons, or weather patterns can change a lot.  

 

What are sinuses anyway?

The sinuses are multiple air filled cavities that are connected to the inside of your nose. They are lined with mucous membranes.

 

What is Sinusitis?  

Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses due to infection, allergies, or some autoimmune problems. The most typical symptoms of sinusitis are headache, drainage (which can cause a bad taste in your mouth also) and occasionally toothaches. Since these sinuses are air spaces the inflammatory process allows pressure build up. If the sinuses are not able to drain properly this can cause pressure buildup which can lead to serious pain.

 

Why do my teeth hurt when I have sinusitis or a sinus infection?

Your upper teeth especially the molars are sitting right on your sinuses. It’s quite common for someone to present with a toothache when they are having sinus problems, even when it is not a tooth problem. Often the toothache will be difficult to localize to one tooth. We need to perform tests to determine the cause of the toothache. When in doubt we can treat you for sinusitis and then re-check the tooth or teeth in question in a few days.

 

How can you treat sinusitis?

There are a few methods of treatment. Nasal irrigation with a saline solution can be helpful, or nasal spray decongestions can be used for short periods of time. Using these for extended periods of time can lead to sinus ‘rebound’, which means the same sinus problems reoccur. Over the counter decongestants can be helpful to reduce sinus pressure. In some cases antibiotics are indicated to combat the bacterial infection.

 

What does not work?

Treating a tooth that is actually referred pain from sinusitis will not relieve your discomfort or reduce your symptoms. Get the right diagnosis, ask questions, and relay all your symptoms.

 Request an appointment

 

10 Bad habits that can harm your teeth

Are you wrecking your teeth without even knowing it? If you suck your thumb or suck on lemons, you’re doing your pearly whites wrong. And did you know that biting your nails is not only bad for your fingers, it can actually hurt your teeth, too?

While some of these dental health “don’ts” can do immediate damage to your teeth (by cracking or breaking them), the effects of others may add up over time, harming your dental health in the long run. So put all 10 of these bad habits to rest — for your teeth’s sake.

 

Thumbs Down on Thumb Sucking

Children who still suck their fingers or thumbs after their permanent teeth start coming in — usually around the age of 5 or 6 — could be causing permanent changes that affect tooth and jaw structure. Specifically, thumb sucking can cause a misalignment of the teeth, explains Richard Price, DMD, a retired dentist from the Boston area who is a consumer advisor and spokesperson for the American Dental Association. This misalignment can lead to a number of issues, including difficulty chewing and breathing problems — so help wean your child off his thumb.

 

Lay Off the Lemons

People who suck lemons may be putting their dental health in jeopardy. Why? Lemons are very acidic, says Elisa Mello, DDS, a cosmetic dentist at NYC Smile Design in New York City. "The acidity corrodes the enamel [of the teeth]." Repeated exposure to acidic substances can cause tooth enamel to erode, creating a rough texture on the surface of your teeth, adds Dr. Price.

 

Don't Brush Too Hard 

Brushing your teeth regularly is part of good oral hygiene, but if you brush too vigorously, you can cause more harm than good. Brushing your teeth too hard can wear down enamel, irritate your gums, make your teeth sensitive to cold, and even cause cavities. To avoid these problems, Price recommends using a soft bristled toothbrush. "Just look for the letters ADA [American Dental Association] on the box, which means the bristles are firm enough to remove plaque, but soft enough not to cause damage," he advises.

 

Refrain From Jaw Clenching and Tooth Grinding

For some people, stress can trigger frequent clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth. "There is a severe amount of pressure on your teeth when you do that, and you can get microfractures or actual fractures in your teeth," warns Dr. Mello. Microfractures are weakened areas in your teeth that puts them at risk for further damage. Jaw clenching or tooth grinding can also damage dental work.

 

Do You Crunch on Ice? Cool It 

Ice cubes may seem harmless, but Price has these words of advice: "Beware of the killer cube." The cold temperature and the hardness of ice cubes can cause serious damage to your teeth. "Our teeth are designed to crush through things, not against something," says Mello. Even though crunching ice with your teeth may be easy, keep in mind, says Price, that "your blender needs special blades to crush ice."

 

Your Teeth Are Not a Tool

Many people use their teeth to break off a tag on clothing, rip open a package of potato chips, or even unscrew bottle tops. But according to Price, teeth are meant to help us do three things: Chew food, speak properly, and look better when we smile. "Teeth are not pliers, teeth are not hooks," he says. Using your teeth as a tool is a threat to dental health and can damage dental work or cause your teeth to crack.

 

Don't Park Your Pencil Between Your Teeth

Some people have a habit of holding objects — such as pens, pencils, or eyeglasses — between their teeth when concentrating on a difficult task. But they might not realize how much pressure they’re placing on their teeth as they bite down on a non-food object, says Mello. Biting on a pen or a similar object can cause your teeth to shift or even crack. "[It can also] break existing dental work that you have in your mouth," warns Mello.

 

 

Boycott Nail Biting

Biting your nails doesn't just harm the appearance of your hands — it can also damage your teeth and become an oral hygiene issue. "People who bite their nails usually do it chronically," notes Mello. Regularly biting your nails can cause your teeth to move out of place. In addition, nail biting could potentially cause teeth to break or tooth enamel to splinter.

 

Say No to Soda 

Always have a soda on hand? Carbonated drinks can be bad for your teeth, because they tend to be very acidic. "Even if it's diet, the acidity of [soda] is just corroding your enamel," Mello says. The effects of soda on teeth are even worse if you slowly sip it over a long period of time. "People don't realize they are bathing their teeth in acid for an hour," she adds. The acidity in soda can lead to dental health problems such as decay around your gum line and loss of enamel.

 

Use Toothpicks Carefully

When used properly, toothpicks can help keep the areas between your teeth clean. "If you do it carefully, [using toothpicks] is helpful," says Mello. "If you don't, you are going to hurt your gum tissue." So be careful not to get too aggressive with that toothpick in your quest for oral hygiene. According to Mello, nothing you do to your teeth or gums should ever hurt — if it does, it may be damaging your teeth.

 

Request an appointment to ensure that your teeth are healthy.

 

reference: everyday health

VELscope - the dental exam that could save your life

Oral Cancer kills 1 person every hour

 

24 hours each day.

 

Our goal is to reduce that number.

The VELscope oral cancer screening is the most powerful tool available for assisting in the discovery of oral abnormalities. The VELscope's distinctive blue-spectrum light causes the soft tissues of the mouth to naturally fluoresce. Healthy tissues fluoresce in distinctive patterns — patterns that are visibly disrupted by trauma or disease. Using the VELscope, a wide variety of oral abnormalities can be discovered — often before they're visible to the unassisted eye.

Discovering soft tissue abnormalities is particularly important in the fight against oral cancer. Because the VELscope  assists in early detection, cancer can be caught before it has time to spread, potentially saving lives through less invasive, more effective treatment.

Used on a regular basis, the VELscope helps our office to find a wide variety of soft-tissue abnormalities, allowing practices to aspire to an advanced level of patient care. The VELscope is:

• completely safe
• simple to use
• no unpleasant rinses or stains
• entire exam in about two minutes.

VELscope oral cancer screenings play a crucial role in saving lives. Make the investment in your health by having a VELscope oral cancer screening performed. If not for yourself, for the ones you love.
Dr. Oz demonstrates the VELscope oral cancer screening on his show. View here.

How to be as healthy as possible. View here.

Request an appointment.

Previous Blog Post regarding Oral Cancer

references:
Oral Cancer Foundation
VELscope