Say No To Bad Breath

Halitosis: Understanding Bad Breath?

Halitosis(bad breath) can be real or imagined.

When real, its most often caused by a combination of food lodged between the teeth and poor oral hygiene that results in gum disease.It may also be due to decay and germs in damaged teeth.

Odors from foods that contain volatile oils, such as onions and garlic, pass from the bloodstream into the lungs and are exhaled.
Oral hygiene cannot remove these odors.

Certain diseases also produce bad breath.

Liver failure- mousy odor

Kidney failure-Urine like odor

Severe uncontrolled Diabetes-Acetone breath like(nail polish remover)

Lung abscess (a collection of pus)-severe halitosis

A tumour in the esophagus/stomach may cause foul smelling liquid or gas be regurgitated into the mouth.

Halitosis that is imagined is called psychogenic halitosis, in which a person believes that his breath smells bad when it actually does not.

This problem may occur in people who tend to exaggerate normal body sensations.

Sometimes psychogenic halitosis is caused by a serious mental disorder such as schizophrenia.

A person with obsessional thoughts may have an overwhelming sense of feeling dirty.

REMEDIES:

1.Physical causes can be corrected or removed. For example- people can stop or avoid eating garlic,onions and other spiced foods and can improve their oral hygiene.

2.Daily use of a tongue scraper to clean the top and the back of the tongue is effective.

3.Many mouthwashes are available but , their usage is best justified after a couple of  professional round of cleaning(scaling) and polishing.

4.The mouthwashes need to have chlorophyll.

5.The effects of the topical mouth rinses do not last for more than couple of hours.

6.Psychogenic halitosis can be treated with doctors reinforcing the non-existence of halitosis.

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For more information and queries:

Dr.Sreenita Chowdhury

sreenita28@gmail.com

Psycology And Oral Health

CAN A BRIGHT SMILE ADD TO YOUR CHARISMA AND CONFIDENCE???

May be yes, it can:)

You may want to know the beauty of a bright smile.
If you have ever wondered how some people instantly catch our attention and instantly light up a room just by walking in , here are few points you may want to notice!

1.Most of the people we find to be charismatic are conscious and self motivated. They are people who are aware and mostly have good health.
These people are also concerned about the small teeth-ing troubles which could possibly disturb their well being.
Amongst all the health concerns, oral health is also what they care about.

2.Studies have proven that these patients have an inner force which does not allow them to be unremarkably average.
They excel mostly in all the things they do .

3.You may also want to notice if they have a bright, confident smile and if they take special care of their gums and teeth.

4.For some they  naturally inherit a beautiful symmetrical smile too and more often their smile reaches their eye!  

5.Most of these people never allow a loss of tooth/ a decayed tooth/ a traumatic accident/malocclusion affect the quality of their lives. Simply because, before it could even hamper their psycology they get the problem fixed.

Good oral health reflects on how aware,self-responsible and hygienic we are. It is a reflection of our attitude towards ourself and frames our basic nature.

This article aims at making your lives beautiful by not allowing The Teeth-Ing Psychology buy your time.
These are some hidden facts which many of us may realize after reading this write up.

"The value of health is in the appearance to the eye".
It is like a gem..... It shows and reflects in our smile and eyes the way it sparkles and the way it shines!!!

We are all designed to smile. Live happy, Smile Healthy. May be you can add to your charisma?

Take home message:
1.Oral Health and hygiene is essential for a quality life. 
2.Visit your dentist to keep a check on your teeth and gums.
3.Try understand the correlation of oral health to other medical conditions you may be suffering from (like Diabetes,Heart ailments,Septicaemia....)
4.There s a solution to the functional problems related to missing teeth/malocclusion/trauma.
5.Parent awareness helps this message pass on to  further generations. As mostly the children practice what is preached.

Ten Informative Tips To Good Oral Health For Your Child

KIDO-DONTICS????   Yes, I am talking about Dental care in children

TEN TIPS HEALTHY KIDS DO DIFFERENTLY

The article helps to prevent dental problems in your child. 

As we all know "prevention is better than cure"here are few tips to help parents maintain good health for their children throughout the year.Enjoy:)

1. Avoid hard candy/sticky lozenges and sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time:

The length of time food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay.Besides how often you  snack, the long period of time, subjects teeth to prolonged acid attack, increasing risk of tooth decay.

2.Consume candies and sweets during meal time:

Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.

Unless it is a sugar free product,candies that stay in the mouth for a long period are harmful.

3.Drink lot of water:

Check the fluoride content in your bottled water.

Fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay.

4.Avoid sticky products that cling to your teeth :- biscuits,chips,candies:

Stickier the food products, the tendency to cling to the teeth increases resulting in tooth decay.

If consumed, make sure nothing is sticking on to the deep grooves in your teeth.

5.Maintain a healthy diet and have nutritious meals:

Healthy diet takes care of your gums and teeth. For healthy gums it is essential to have meals surplus in vitamins and minerals.

6.Chew gum that has ADA seal:

Increased salivary flow washes away bacteria and neutralizes the acids produced by them.

Chewing sugarless gums for twenty minutes helps prevent tooth decay.

7.Avoid beverages with added sugars:

Flavoured water,soda,sports drink when taken frequently , the constant exposure of these sugar based products exposes tooth to decay.

8.Brush your teeth twice a day with soft bristled tooth brush:

Replace your tooth brush every three to four months as soon as the bristles get frayed.

9.Floss your teeth and use inter-dental brushes:

Toothbrushes are not able to reach in between areas of your teeth. 

Interdental cleansers like floss removes plaque from the unreachable areas.

10.Visit your dentist once a year for a regular check up

See if you can change your child's oral health for the better following these tips.

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For more details

Dr.Sreenita Chowdhury

sreenita28@gmail.com

Cure to Gum disease??

CAN YOU PUT AN END TO GINGIVITIS?

Red, Bleeding, Swollen Receding gums???
Gingivitis, Bad breath, Dry mouth,Gum disease,Loose teeth???  

If you are searching for a solution to all these problems- try understand the root cause behind all of this:

• Bad bacteria which are harmful to the gums and the oral tissues can easily multiply and grow out of control in the mouth.
• These germs reside in the mouth when proper brushing,rinsing and consistent effort is not maintained.

• Over the time,they develop plaque,tartar and eventually lead to full blown gum disease.
• Once the gum disease called Periodontitis develops, the underlying bone loss continues incessantly leading to loose teeth.
  

Periodic Dental check up(every 3months/6months), scaling(professional cleaning), following routine brushing ,flossing and rinsing habits can heal you from all the problems. 

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Proper cleaning and maintenance can limit/stop the further bone loss.
Contact your Dentist:
Dr.Sreenita Chowdhury
sreenita28@gmail.com

Oral Health a diagnosis factor for diabetes?

CAN ORAL HEALTH FINDINGS HELP RECOGNIZE UNDIAGNOSED DIABETES??? YES!!!

Evaluation of two dental parameters- number of missing teeth and percentage of people suffering from gum disease and periodontal problems(esp pockets>5mm in depth) along with examination of glycated hemoglobin level called HbA1c significantly improved identification of diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals.

The studies conducted have also helped diagnose patients with a potential risk of Diabetes
(esp diabetes type 2)


Who are the higher risk individuals???

1.Family history of diabetes
2.Family history of hypertension
3.Family history of high cholesterol
4.Family history of being over-weight and obese
Presence of at least one of the above risk factors/in combination with more factors were found to be the susceptible individuals to Diabetes.




SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE?
1.dull pain in the gums
2.mobile/loose teeth
3.problems with loose teeth despite good oral hygiene
4.bad breath and loose gums
5.redness/swelling/pus in the gums
6.fungal infections like oral thrush
7.taste disturbances
8.spaces opening up in between your teeth
9.dry mouth

Once the bad bacteria(unfriendly bacteria) multiplies in an uncontrolled Diabetic- Fighting the infection,bad breath/ tooth loss is very difficult.

Recognizing the causative factors and early diagnosis of the disease often helps in controlling diabetes and the resultant losses.




DIABETES AND TOOTH DECAY:

Diabetes is often related with dry mouth and tooth decay.The imbalance in the bacterial flora inside the mouth and plaque retention often increases the risk of tooth decay.

It is a well-established risk factor for periodontal disease, and dentists commonly treat patients who either have diabetes or are at increased diabetes risk due to obesity, family history of diabetes, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle and other factors.

Dentists should remain aware that specific oral health conditions, such as missing teeth or deep periodontal pockets, could suggest that the patient has one or more potential risk factors for diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Oral complications are commonly found in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes, making the dental office an ideal location for early identification and appropriate referral for medical evaluation.


Patients with diabetes are at least two to three times more likely to develop periodontal disease than non-diabetics, and should be advised to visit their dentist regularly for full evaluation of their dental and periodontal condition.
If you have diabetes, you should do the following to prevent tooth and gum problems:

1. Follow your doctor's advice about diet and medications to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible.

2.Thoroughly clean your teeth and gums with toothpaste that contains fluoride.Use dental floss or interdental cleaners every day to clean between your teeth.

3.Visit your dentist regularly for advice about proper home care,early intervention and regular preventive maintenance visits to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

4.Avoid having a dry mouth- drink plenty of water and chew sugar free gums.

5.Avoid Smoking

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Thanks!
Contact your Dentist for a healthier life
Dr.Sreenita Chowdhury
sreenita28@gmail.com

Oral health and your pregnancy

Can Dental Infections Have Implications On Your Baby During Pregnancy? YES!!!

MOTHERS WITH HEALTHY GUMS HAVE HEALTHY BABIES....  

VISIT YOUR DENTIST BEFORE YOU PLAN YOUR PREGNANCY

1.Studies have found that women who had pre-term,low-birth-weight infants were found to have significant dental problems especially gingivitis.

What is Gingivitis?
According to American Dental Association(ADA) ,gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth,which is caused by plaque(a film of bacteria around your teeth).
The bacteria make toxins that damage your gums.
If plaque is not removed on a regular basis, gingivitis will develop.

How do you know if you are suffering from gingivitis? SYMPTOMS:
1.Bad breath
2.Bleeding gums
3.Pus between the teeth and gums(often with a bitter taste)
4.Loose teeth
5.Dull pain on chewing
6.Swelling in the gums

How does gingivitis affect the baby?
The bleeding due to gingivitis and periodontal problems allows direct access for the bacteria to enter the mother's blood stream, which will eventually affect the baby.

2.Can hormonal changes during Pregnancy affect expectant mothers??

YES!!!
Increased level of Estrogen (hormone) can make teeth and gums vulnerable and susceptible to certain conditions.
These include:
a.sensitivity of gums
b.increase in cavities and plaque
c.pregnancy tumour

Is Dental Treatment safe during Pregnancy?
1.Standard routine dental procedures such as cleaning and simple cavity fillings is safe during pregnancy.

2.Elective treatment should be avoided especially during the First Trimester
They include:
           a.X rays
           b.Whitening
           c.Surgical procedures
3.What should be done in case of emergency??

CONSULT YOUR OBSTETRICIAN AND DENTIST TO UNDERGO TREATMENT UNDER SAFETY MEASURES

           a.X ray to be taken wearing a lead apron(avoid multiple exposures)
           b.Second trimester is safe for treatment (4th,5th and the 6th month)
           c.Some acceptable antibiotics suggested by your Gynaecologist and Dentist can be  taken.

Measures to be taken at home:
1.Balanced Diet
2.Proper brushing technique twice daily
3.Flossing
4.Rinsing with plain water after every meal
5.Regular Dental check up

Contact your Dentist:
Dr.Sreenita Chowdhury
sreenita28@gmail.com

Heart disease due to germs in the mouth??

DENTAL DISEASE AND ITS CORRELATION WITH HEART DISEASE:

Dental problems have a direct link to a condition known as Infective Endocarditis.

What is Infective Endocarditis?


Bacterial endocarditis (BE, also called infective endocarditis) is an INFECTION of the heart valves or the heart’s inner lining (endocardium). 
Bacterial endocarditis occurs when germs (especially bacteria FROM DENTAL INFECTION) enter the blood stream and attack the lining of the heart or the heart valves. 

Bacterial endocarditis causes growths or holes on the valves or scarring of the valve tissue, most often resulting in a leaky heart valve. Without treatment, bacterial endocarditis can be a fatal disease.

SOURCE OF INFECTION COULD BE:
1.A cavity in your mouth
2.Persistent chronic dental infection in gums and tissues
3.Decayed remnant root stumps

High Risk Patients:
1.Valve defects in the heart which require artificial heart valves called "Prosthetic valves"
    including :Homograft valves,Bio prosthetic valves)
   These are susceptible areas for germs/bacteria from the dental and  gum infections to spread in  
    the bloodstream resulting in-Infective Endocarditis

2.Previous history of Endocarditis

3.Unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease
  including patients with palliative shunts and conduits

4.Congenital heart disease repaired with surgery or with a transcatheter device

5.Repaired congenital heart disease with defects.


If you are in the High Risk Group please follow the following guidelines and contact your Dentist:
1.Take antibiotic prophylaxis as advised by your dentist(recommended by American Heart  Association) for all dental issues that involve
                                     a.manipulation of gingival tissue
                                     b.periapical(root) infections of your teeth
                                     c.perforation of oral mucosa(extractions,minor surgeries)

             

HEALTH IS WEALTH - Guidelines recommended by AHA
Get a regular Dental check up done

If you’d like to see more posts like these, follow my blog or share with your friends below! Thanks!

For more information and care:
Dr.Sreenita Chowdhury
sreenita28@gmail.com