Category: Bad Breath

Everyone has different morning routines and brushing preferences. While most people seem to prefer brushing after breakfast, there are a lot of factors that go into this decision such as whether or not you eat breakfast and how much time you have to get out the door in the morning. The American Dental Association recommends brushing before breakfast. Let’s take a deeper look into this recommendation. Why brush at all? Brushing ensures that food particles and other debris that stick to your teeth are cleaned away so they cannot collect bacteria that causes cavities. Why brush before breakfast? Bacteria builds Read More →

From Christina, Dental Hygienist: Mouth rinses are a hot topic in dental hygiene. Almost daily, I am asked which mouth rinse is most beneficial. The answer isn’t easy, as more recent research has looked deeper into the active ingredients in mouth rinses and how they directly affect the mouth. Patients come to our office daily with conditions such as dry mouth, gum recession and cavities. These are all factors to take into account when recommending a mouth rinse. Best Mouth Rinses for People Prone to Cavities Recently, mouth rinses such as LISTERINE® have been shown to have a relatively low Read More →

Flossing is recommended daily to clean plaque bacteria from in between the teeth that brushing alone doesn’t remove. Anytime we leave plaque between our teeth we put ourselves at risk for bleeding, inflamed gums, infection, gum disease and decay. Although flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth, there are other options that can work well and may be easier to use. Here are just a few options that we like to recommend in our office. Flossing Helpers: Flossers make it easier to floss because there is a handle attached to the floss. Floss threaders can help you Read More →

If you have bad breath, you are not alone! Many of our patients deal with this, so we asked our hygienists to provide some tips to help you keep your breath feeling fresh! Be sure to brush thoroughly for two minutes, twice per day. Be sure you brushing thoroughly around your back teeth (molars) where plaque and bacteria that can cause bad breath can more easily hide. Floss thoroughly once daily to get that pesky plaque and bacteria that hides between your teeth! Rinse with Listerine or Crest Pro-Health mouthwash. Both are proven to kill bacteria in the mouth. Brush Read More →

Have you ever wondered why your dentist asks for your current medication list at each visit? We checked with Dr. Roger Bisbey, D.D.S. to get the answer to our question. Many medications, prescribed by your physician and obtained over-the-counter, can affect your oral health.  One of the most common side effects of many medications is dry mouth.  Natural saliva helps keep food from collecting around your teeth and neutralizes acids given off by bacterial plaque, which is continuously growing on the surface of the teeth.  These acids damage the hard surfaces of your teeth which greatly increases your risk for Read More →

  Most commonly, gum tissue bleeds because it is inflamed. Inflamed gum tissue (a.k.a. gingivitis) occurs when the bacteria in plaque and tartar cause the gum tissue to become swollen and reddish. Inflamed gum tissue also bleeds when touched with floss or a tooth brush. So what can you do? Start by cleaning your teeth as thoroughly as you can with brushing and daily flossing. Good oral hygiene should improve the situation in a few days; however, a visit with your dentist is required to rule out periodontal disease or systemic medical problems contributing to your bleeding gums. Although good brushing Read More →

If you suffer from bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, you are not alone. Dental studies have found that up to 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition to blame. Bad breath, or a bad taste in the mouth, may be a warning sign of gum disease, decay, or an abscessed tooth. Don’t let bad breath keep you from social situations. Make an appointment with your dentist for a check-up and cleaning to help you significantly reduce or eliminate bad breath. We asked Samantha, a Licensed and Certified Dental Assistant and Administrative Assistant at Family Dentist Read More →